Crime & Safety

Police: Oak Park Woman Left Children Alone for 24 Hours

Bridgette L. Palton, 36, of Oak Park was arrested at Maybrook Courthouse. Police said three children younger than 8 were left alone for a full day.

Oak Park police reported they arrested Bridgette Palton, 36, of the 500 block of Washington, at Maybrook Courthouse on Jan. 13.

Palton is charged with three felony counts of endangering the life and health of a child after she allegedly left three children under 8 years old alone in her home for about 24 hours.

Police said they got a call from a third party that reported that the children had been left alone. Police followed up and learned Palton had not been home in about 24 hours. The Department of Child and Family Services took the children into protective custody, Cmdr. LaDon Reynolds of the Oak Park Police Department said.

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After learning Palton had an upcoming court date, police said they arrested her at Maybrook Courthouse.

Palton told police she had only left the children for a short time while she ran out for groceries.

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