Lake in the Hills woman pleads guilty in home alone case

A Lake in the Hills woman was sentenced today to two years probation after pleading guilty to allegations she left her 6- and 1-year old daughters home alone to go find her boyfriend at a local bar.

Randi L. Losch, 27, admitted guilt to endangering the life or health of a child and a related resisting arrest charge, both misdemeanors, in connection with the June 19 incident.

In exchange for the guilty plea, McHenry County prosecutors dismissed a felony aggravated battery charge alleging she kicked a Lake in the Hills police officer in the ribs while being processed after her arrest.

The plea deal also requires Losch to undergo counseling and pay a $500 fine.

"I don't want people to kick police officers, but our main concern was the welfare of the children," said Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein.

Police were called to Losch's residence late June 19 by her boyfriend, who had arrived home from a night out to find the girls home alone. The man reported that he had been out at bar when, about 11 p.m., Losch showed up, telling him initially that a neighbor was watching the children but later admitting they were alone.

She left the bar soon thereafter, police said, leaving her boyfriend with the impression she was going back home. But when he arrived home about 30 minutes later, police said, the girls were sleeping in bed and Losch was nowhere in sight.

Police finally found Losch about 12:40 a.m., when a Huntley officer made a traffic stop and found her in someone else's car.

Losch attorney Philip Prossnitz called the behavior "an isolated incident" and that the Department of Children and Family Services has since determined her a fit parent.

"Obviously poor judgment was shown by her, but the children were not left home alone for long and no one was hurt," he said.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=225844">Lake in the Hills mom pleads not guilty in home alone case <span class="date">[8/5/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=210502">Woman left kids home alone to go looking for boyfriend, police say <span class="date">[6/20/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>