EVANSVILLE, Indiana – On Thursday afternoon, Vanderburgh County police took 25‑year‑old Jarue Tevon Johnson into custody after his 2‑year‑old daughter was found wandering outside their Parrett Street apartment without adult supervision.
Incident details
Officers were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. after a neighbor reported a child standing alone outside the building. The neighbor said another man had brought the child to his door and then left, leaving the toddler unattended. When the neighbor stepped inside to retrieve his phone, he returned to find the man gone and the child heading down the stairs.
The neighbor followed the child back to the apartment, knocked, and called out, but received no response. He estimated the child had been unsupervised for roughly 20 to 30 minutes before police arrived.
Police response
When officers arrived, the apartment door was open and a 7‑month‑old infant was also inside. After announcing their presence and receiving no answer, the officers entered to check on the occupants. Johnson emerged from the bathroom and initially claimed he had been inside for about 10 to 15 minutes, later adjusting his estimate to 15 to 20 minutes.
Johnson told officers he had heard that the 2‑year‑old might be outside, but insisted he was in the bathroom watching videos on his phone and needed personal time. Surveillance video later confirmed the toddler left the apartment before the neighbor returned her.
Evidence and charges
Investigators noted that roughly 36 minutes elapsed from the start of the incident to Johnson’s arrest. A search of the apartment uncovered a bag containing marijuana residue on the bedroom floor, and a substance from Johnson’s vape tested positive for THC.
Child Services took both children into protective custody. Johnson was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on two counts of neglect of a dependent and one count of possession of marijuana.
Community impact
The case underscores the importance of vigilant neighborhood watch efforts and the role of local law enforcement in safeguarding children. Residents are reminded to report any signs of unsupervised minors and to ensure that caregivers provide constant supervision, especially in multi‑unit housing where children can easily wander into common areas.
Vanderburgh County Child Services will continue its investigation and determine appropriate long‑term care for the children. The department encourages anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Evansville Police Department.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
