A toddler was found all alone by herself in their home several days after her caretaker grandmother died.
Brier Ineichen
A toddler, Brier Ineichen, has been found alone in a Tennessee home several days after her grandmother died leaving her by herself.
A Knoxville News Sentinel report says the 15-month-old girl was found alive but dehydrated and very hungry on Saturday. The police report says the baby's grandmother, 58-year-old Anette Ineichen, was found dead in the house. Officials believe she had been dead for some period of time.
The girl's mother, Tracy Ineichen, was jailed at the Blount County Detention Center. Her mother, Annette Ineichen, was caring for her 15-month-old daughter, but she became concerned when her mother failed to show up for visitation and she hadn't heard from her in a week.
On Saturday, Ineichen asked her boyfriend, Anthony Waldo, to go by and check on her mother and daughter, Brier Ineichen.
According to the police report, the glass door to the home was locked, but Waldo could see the little girl in her crib "with her arms out, crying for attention." He could also see seven dogs running loose in and around the home.
Waldo called police, then called Ineichen, who told him to go inside and get her daughter.
"Tracy was like break the door down and get her," Waldo said. "Break the door down and get her, so that's what I did."
He forced the door open and went into the bedroom to pick up the child. She was weak, smelled of urine, and had swollen lips.
There was no sign of Annette Ineichen, but when he tried to open a bathroom door, something was blocking it from opening more than a few inches. He said he could see what looked like an arm or leg on the floor through the crack, so went outside and waited for police to arrive.
Police Chief, Tony Crisp says the child was brought to a hospital, where she was treated for dehydration and lack of food. Crisp says the child has been released into the care of the Department of Children's Services.