Police: Wheeling couple left daughter home to steal

A Wheeling couple was charged with endangering the life of a child this week after they left their 22-month-old daughter home alone while they and an accomplice were burglarizing vehicles in their hometown, police charge.

Eric Harris, 21, and Emeline Vernillet, 22, of the 500 block of South Milwaukee Avenue were each charged with two counts of burglary and one count of endangering the life of a child. They were arrested at 2:20 a.m. Sept. 5 on the 1100 block of Valley Stream Drive in Wheeling.

Also charged with two counts of burglary was Daniel Parker, 22, of the 700 block of South Salem Court in Schaumburg.

A woman called police, saying she was looking at three people rummaging through the glove compartment of her car. Officers arrived while all three were still at the scene.

Wheeling Deputy Police Chief John Teevans said it was while Harris and Vernillet were being booked that officers learned they had a young daughter who had been left alone in their home.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were called to take custody of the girl. She will remain in the state's custody until Harris and Vernillet can demonstrate their fitness as parents, authorities said.

Bond for Harris was set at $20,000 and for Vernillet at $10,000, of which they were required to pay 10 percent upfront. Parker was released on his own recognizance but with a $30,000 bond, should he fail to appear in court when required.

The next court date for all three is Friday, Sept. 28 at the Cook County Courthouse in Rolling Meadows.