Delmar Woman Charged After Child Found Locked Alone in Room

Delmar, MD - Police in Delmar arrested a woman after finding her 4 year old daughter locked alone inside a rental room.

On August 19, 2026, the Delmar Police Department responded to the 100 block of E Chestnut Street in Delmar, Maryland for a report of an unattended child confined in a locked room.

Officers arrived and spoke with residents of the property. They learned the home is used as a rental property, with individual rooms rented out separately.

Officers were told that Sandra Daves, 34, rents one of the rooms and lives there with her 4 year old daughter.

Police received credible information that Daves had left the residence and locked her daughter alone inside the room. Officers observed an exterior pad lock on the door, making it impossible for the child to get out on her own. Officers forced entry into the room to check on the child.

The child was found alone inside. EMS arrived on scene to evaluate her and observed signs of minor injury. She was taken to Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland for a full medical evaluation. Officers also noted the room was in unsafe condition, with dangerous items within the child's reach.

Daves returned to the residence while officers were still there. She told officers she had left to get a pack of cigarettes. The investigation showed she had been away from the residence for about 56 minutes.

The Department of Social Services was notified and is assisting with the case. Daves was arrested and charged by application with child abuse 2nd degree, 2nd degree assault, neglect of a minor, confine unattended child, and reckless endangerment.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.