Grandmother charged after boy found wandering in Junction City
Published 6:35 pm Monday, January 15, 2018
A Junction City grandmother was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment after her 4-year-old grandson, of whom she has custody, was found along Ky. 300, near Bells Lane, in Junction City around 4:45 p.m. Monday.
Deborah Murrar, 49 of 702 Linnietta Drive in Junction City, was located at about 7 p.m.
According to the arrest citation, she had fallen asleep in her apartment on Linnietta Drive, which sits off Bells Lane. She told police she did not know what time she fell asleep. The child left the apartment on his own.
The child was picked up by a passing motorist and taken to the Junction City Police Department. Initially, a photo of the young boy was posted by the department on social media in an effort to locate a family member.
Junction City Police Chief Merl Baldwin said the child did not know his name or age when he was located.
The citation states, “The outside temp at the time was in the low 30s, with snow on the ground … The child was found with a soiled diaper, not sufficiently clothed for the elements and was not able to speak clearly.”
The child was fed and given clean, dry clothes while with officials.
Baldwin said they located Murrar while going door-to-door at the apartments along Linnietta Drive; they went there on a hunch, since he was close to the area. She was outside with a phone, looking for him, and told officers the boy had just left.
Murrar was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment, per KRS 508.060, a Class D felony. She is lodged in the Boyle County Detention Center.
Baldwin said Murrar could face other charges pending further investigation. The child appears to be unharmed and has been placed in the care of Social Services.