Mom charged after baby found on roof

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BY MARISA KWIATKOWSKI
mkwiatkowski@nwitimes.com
219.662.5333 | Saturday, June 14, 2008 | (7 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | Lake County prosecutors slapped an East Chicago woman with felony neglect charges this week after her 1-year-old son was found sobbing on the roof of their home.

Araceli Gutierrez, 32, was asleep June 6 when police and firefighters arrived at her home in the 3800 block of Elm Street, Lake County Criminal Court records state.

A witness called 911 after seeing the baby crying on the roof, police said. The boy had climbed to the roof of the front porch from the second-floor apartment window, court records state.

The witness went up to the roof and took the 1-year-old down before public safety officers arrived.

When police arrived, the child was back in the living room, wearing a dirty T-shirt and diaper, and food was found strewn on the floor, cabinets and sink, court records state.

Gutierrez passed out after taking a blue pill given to her at work to help her sleep, court records state.

The home had no toilet, and Gutierrez told police the family used the closet as a bathroom, records state.

A warrant was issued Tuesday for Gutierrez's arrest. As of Friday, she was not yet in custody, the Lake County and East Chicago jail facilities confirmed.

It could not be confirmed Friday whether the child had been taken into state custody.

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Confused wrote on Jun 16, 2008 9:42 AM:

" Now am I really to believe that a 1 year old climbed out of the window and on to the roof? That is just to hard to imagine. And when did they start building houses without toliets? Was there a bathroom in the house at all? "

Ditto wrote on Jun 14, 2008 10:29 PM:

" I was there also. I think its sad how parents don't watch their kids. It reminds me of when my old best friend's unemployed father (I was only 16) asked if I wanted to buy pot from him. Its really sad. Know wonder why she turned out the way she did. "

wow wrote on Jun 14, 2008 8:33 PM:

" using the closets? "

Discusted wrote on Jun 14, 2008 5:24 PM:

" What is wrong with this picture? She is passed out from popping pills and 1 year old son is on roof. Why wasn't she arrested on the spot and the child put in protective custody? Today's society is a joke. "

been there wrote on Jun 14, 2008 3:41 PM:

" Could the mom possibly have a medical issue? Sometimes we're quick to say "SHAME ON YOU". Hopefully someone will get the child and mother help. Obviously with the condition of the home,all is not right in "Mayberry!" "

Valpo Mom wrote on Jun 14, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Sad that there are people like this who can have as many children as they wish yet there are good families who would love to have children of their own who are not able! How sad for this child! "

Disappointed wrote on Jun 14, 2008 8:36 AM:

" This is a truly sad story. I am glad the baby was saved from the roof and hope his future is also saved. Its a shame when both parents are unable to take care of the child. "

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