Mom of Toddler Found Alone in Rain Charged

Amanda Aleman. (Photo Credit: Parma Police Department)

PARMA, Ohio — The mother of a little boy found soaking wet, walking alone outside in the rain Tuesday morning has been charged.

Parma Police Detective Marty Compton says police received a tip from someone who saw the child’s picture on TV, which led officers to a home in the 5100 block of Wellington Avenue.

“I recognized him. I think he’s about 3 … I don’t know his name. I recognized him, and then I’m like, ‘That’s our neighbor; he lives next door,’ so I called Parma police,” Christine Benesh told Fox 8 News.

Officers then located the boy’s 24-year-old mother, Amanda Aleman, in her home. She was sleeping and unaware that her son had left the house about three hours earlier, Compton said.

Earlier Monday morning, police were asking for the public’s help in finding the boy’s parents after a woman found the child at around 6:45 a.m. near West 44th Street and Grantwood Avenue.

The boy was walking alone and appeared to have been outside for a long time as he was drenched from the rain.

After police officers found the boy’s mother, a record check revealed that she had an arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a seat belt violation. Aleman was taken into custody and charged with child endangering.

Bond was set at $3,500.

Aleman’s son was turned over to other family members.

Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for updates on this story as they become available.