Two charged in Des Plaines with child endangerment

A Chicago woman left her kids with a Des Plaines man whose blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit for driving, Des Plaines police said.

Vanessa A. Clark, 24, of the 3000 block of North Kimball Avenue, Chicago, and Michael J. Martinek, 49, of the 2000 block of South Locust Street, Des Plaines, were arrested around 4 p.m. Aug. 7 at the police department, 1420 E. Miner St., and charged with endangering the life and/or health of a child.

According to officers, Clark left her two children, a 3-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl, at Martinek’s home. Officers were called by a neighbor who said Martinek was outside with the children, stumbling while walking.

Clark arrived at the police station after a phone call and was arrested because she had left the children with someone who was visibly drunk, reports said. A test recorded his blood alcohol level nearly three times legal limit, reports said.

A DCFS caseworker arranged for placement of the children. A court date for Clark and Martinek was set for Aug. 30.