On August 24, at approximately 5:20 pm, Winchester Police Department (WPD) officers responded to South Indian Alley near Wolfe Street after a concerned citizen reported an infant locked in a car with no adult around. Due to the child not appearing to be in distress, officers called a locksmith and the vehicle was unlocked. The three-month-old child was checked by Winchester Fire and Rescue EMS personnel and seemed to be unharmed.
Officers were able to locate the mother, Erika Margettes, 26, of Frederick County, who was eating at a restaurant in the area. Margettes explained that she was not supposed to have her child on this day and forgot the child, who was asleep, was in the back of the vehicle. Officers believe the child was alone in the vehicle for approximately 50 minutes.
Margettes was arrested for child endangerment and transported to the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center. The child was released to a family member.