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WILKES-BARRE — A mother charged by city police after her 2-year-old daughter was found wandering a street unsupervised has been sentenced in Luzerne County Court.
Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr. sentenced India L. Griffen, 28, of Murray Street, Wilkes-Barre, to four years probation on a child endangering charge Thursday. Griffen pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 16.
A passer-by found the toddler wandering unsupervised on West River Street on March 17, 2019. Griffen previously resided in an apartment on the street.
Police were led to Griffen’s apartment on West River Street when they found a loose dog that had her address on its tags, according to court records.
Officers found an open door and yelled inside.
When no one responded, officers entered the apartment and found Griffen unresponsive on a bed.
Officers yelled, flashed lights and shook the bed and also shook Griffen without a response, court records say.
When Griffen did awaken, she walked into a kitchen, ignoring officers’ questions about whether she was missing a child, saying “figure it out,” according to court records.
Griffen told police she was asleep.
Police in court records stated Griffen had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Assistant District Attorney Jill Sosnoski prosecuted.
Griffen was represented by Attorney John Pike.
Sklarosky ordered Griffen to comply with recommendations from Luzerne County Children and Youth Services and permitted to visit her child under regulations established by the county’s Family Court.