Round Lake Park woman pleads not guilty to child endangerment

A Round Lake Park woman whose toddler was found walking a street wearing nothing but a dirty diaper pleaded not guilty in Lake County court Monday to multiple counts of child endangerment.

Maria I. Pedroza, 31, of the 500 block of North Arbor Drive, faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine on six misdemeanor counts of endangering the life and health of a child, Judge Christopher Lombardo said.

Pedroza was given one count for each of her children, aged 12 and under, who she left alone in her house Aug. 12, Lombardo said.

Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said police found Pedroza's toddler daughter walking in the street at 4 p.m. and wearing nothing but a dirty diaper.

Police took the child into protective custody, Filenko said, and a resident who recognized the child told police where she lived.

When police went to the house, the exterior and interior were in "disarray," Filenko said. He described the conditions as "filthy" and "unsafe."

Officers took all six children into protective custody, Filenko said.

Pedroza arrived while police were still at the house and said she'd gone to a school bus stop for another child and had been gone only a few minutes, Filenko said. However, she didn't have another child with her at the time, Filenko said.

The children were released to their father about 5 p.m., police said.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was notified and is investigating, police said.

Pedroza was released on $1,500 bail. She is due back in court Oct. 15.