Toddler found walking alone in Round Lake Park; mom arrested

A Round Lake Park woman was arrested after her toddler daughter was found walking in the street wearing nothing but a dirty diaper, authorities said.

The discovery led police to a house where five additional children, ages 3 to 12, were home alone in "filthy" conditions, Police Chief George Filenko said.

Maria I. Pedroza, 31, of the 500 block of North Arbor Drive, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with six misdemeanor counts of endangering the life and health of a child.

Pedroza is the mother of all six children, police said.

The case unfolded about 4 p.m. Wednesday when police were called to Arbor Drive by people who'd spotted the 2-year-old in the street, Filenko said.

A resident recognized the child and knew where she lived. When police got to the house, the exterior and interior were in "disarray," Filenko said.

Police described the conditions as "unsafe," so officers took all six children into protective custody.

Pedroza arrived while police were still at the home. She said she'd gone to a school bus stop for another child and had been gone only a few minutes, Filenko said.

She didn't have another child with her, however.

"She wasn't being forthright with us," Filenko said.

The children's father was at work at the time. The kids were released to him about 5 p.m., police said.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was notified and will investigate, police said.

Pedroza was released from police custody after posting $1,500 bail. She is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 14.