April 26, 2015
A Kensington mother was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of her four children on Sunday after she allegedly locked them in the basement for 12 hours without food, water or a bathroom between Saturday and Sunday.
Police identified the woman as 29-year-old Charnae Lee. The children, two boys and two girls ages 9-to-13, were rescued and transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for observation on Sunday.
According to a police report, one of the four children was able to call 911 and alert police of the situation while Lee was at work.
The officers were then able to climb through a second floor window of the home on the 1900 block of E. Atlantic Street, and once inside, break the lock to the basement door to retrieve the children.
Lee alledgedly told police she wasn't aware the door was locked, the report states.
She is also facing charges of unlawful restraint, false imprisonment and recklessly endangering another person.
The Special Victims Unit is handling the investigation.