SALISBURY WOMAN CHARGED AFTER LEAVING FOUR CHILDREN HOME ALONE; ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS OLD
Wicomico County, MD - On May 19, 2025, at around 8:00 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office responded to Barwick Drive in reference to a child who was found alone. The child, believed to be around three years old, was discovered standing by a doorstep.
The investigation revealed that the child had likely wandered away from a nearby residence, located approximately 200 yards away.
When deputies arrived, they found an open side door but received no response to their calls. Deputies yelled into the residence to locate an adult and when it was unanswered, they entered and cleared the home. Deputies heard an urgent call for "mommy", which heightened the seriousness of the situation.
Inside the home, they discovered three additional children aged three years, eight months, and five years, who were also left unsupervised.
The homeowner, Jertha Philogene, arrived at the scene sometime later. She explained that she had left the children unattended in order to take another child to school.
Her absence, which lasted about an hour, led to serious legal consequences. Philogene was placed under arrest and taken before the District Court of Maryland Commissioner, where she was released on her own recognizance.
In response to this incident, Child Protective Services intervened, not only to assist with the immediate investigation but also to investigate a potential unlicensed daycare operation at the residence.
Philogene faces the following charges:
- Confine unattended child (4 counts)
- Reckless Endangerment (4 counts)
- Neglect of a minor (4 counts)
In Maryland, the law sets clear guidelines regarding leaving children home alone. According to Maryland Family Law §5-801, it is unlawful to leave a child under the age of 8 unattended at home, in a car, or in any other building or enclosure without proper supervision. If a parent or guardian needs to leave a child who is younger than 8 years old, they must ensure that a reliable person, who is at least 13 years old, stays with the child to provide protection. Failure to do so is considered a misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
Disclaimer: This article contains content regarding an individual formally charged with a crime or traffic violation. It is important to underline that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details mentioned in this article reflect the current stage of the legal proceedings and are not meant to imply or conclude guilt or innocence.
