Kerhonkson Mom Left Toddlers Alone for 6 Hours, Police Say

Police allege an Ulster County mother left her two toddlers alone in the rain while wearing only diapers.

New York State Police at Ellenville arrested Zoe A. Eichert, 28, of Kerhonkson, on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

On Dec. 22, New York State Police received a report of two toddlers wandering around the parking lot of a local motel in the rain in diapers. State Police responded and talked with person who called. That person cared for the two children until the arrival of the State Police and Ulster County Child Protective Services.

Upon a further investigation, police alleged that the mother of the two children was Eichert. Police say she left her two children ages 2 and 3 unattended in a motel when she left for work at 5:50 a.m. Police then located Eichert at her job in Kingston. Police believe the children were left alone in the apartment for around six hours before being seen walking around in the parking lot.

Eichert was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Wawarsing Court on Jan. 8. The Ulster County Child Protective Services unit took custody of the children and placed them into foster care, pending court disposition.