Toddlers Left Alone In Van Buren Co., Mom Stayed In Battle Creek

A woman was arrested after a postal worker located two toddlers, girls ages 2 and 2 1/2, wearing dirty diapers in the middle of a Van Buren County road while the mother stayed the night in the Battle Creek area.

The incident occurred on September 14.where Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott says the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 55923 County Road 687 in Hartford on a report of two toddlers standing in the middle of County Road 687 wearing only dirty diapers.

The sheriff's office was assisted by the Pokagon Tribal Police Department, who arrived on scene at the same time as a local postal worker and witnessed the toddlers in the roadway. The postal worker along with Tribal Police were able to safely remove the toddlers from traffic without further incident.

Upon further investigation, deputies found that the apartment the toddlers were staying in was empty. After about 90 minutes of searching for a guardian, the children’s biological mother was located and admitted to leaving them home alone for nearly 18 hours.

The woman told law enforcement that she left the children unattended to meet up with friends then stayed in the Battle Creek area overnight.

Sydnie Danielle Green was placed under arrest on two counts of second-degree child abuse and remains lodged at the Van Buren County jail on a $25,000 bond pending her next court appearance.

The children were found to be slightly dehydrated at the time and have since been turned over to family members with the assistance of Child Protective Services.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact with Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.