PORTAGE | A Portage woman was arrested and charged with neglect after dropping her child off at school Thursday afternoon, thinking it was morning.
Police received a call from an employee of Aylesworth Elementary School, 5910 Central Ave., just after 5 p.m. Thursday about a child left unattended at the school.
The employee said he found the child, a kindergarten student at the school, alone and crying. The youngster told the employee that her mother had brought her to the school because her mother didn't want to be bothered by her anymore, according to the police report.
Before police arrived, the mother, Kathleen Bush, 36, returned to pick up the child. Police tracked Bush down to her home at 6021 Canden No. 2. The child answered the door and told police her mom was tired and sick. The child called for her mother.
When Bush responded, she told police she was tired and had been working long hours, leading to confusion. Bush said she'd been sleeping when her child woke her up. Bush said she thought it was time to take the child to school, which she did. But when she returned home, she realized by looking at the clock, it was evening and not morning. Bush then returned to the school and picked up the child.
According to the report, Bush allegedly seemed to be under the influence of some type of narcotic. She told police she was on anti-anxiety medication.
While in the apartment, police also found marijuana in the kitchen. Bush allegedly told police she deals the drug to make money for bills. She also was charged with possession and transported to Porter County Jail.
The child was turned over to the Department of Child Services.
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