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Newport News mom charged with felony child neglect

Posted at 11:55 AM, Sep 05, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-05 23:29:03-04

Newport News, Va. - A Newport News mother has been arrested and charged with two counts of felony child neglect after her kids were found home alone, police tell NewsChannel 3.

It happened on Wednesday, September 4, 2013. At 7:25 p.m. officers responded to a call to check on the welfare of two children who were reportedly left alone in their apartment in the 100 block of Mews Lane.

The mother, 24-year-old Tanisha Charmia Watson, was arrested and charged with two counts of felony child neglect.

Her boyfriend, Shawn Hawkins tells NewsChannel 3 he got held up at work.

"I ended up working later then I usually work and she left thinking I was on my way home," Hawkins said.

Attempts made to call the children’s mother on her cell phone were unanswered, police say. The children did not appear to be in immediate danger. Police asked the children who they would call in an emergency, and they stated that they would call their mother, but apparently had no knowledge about calling 911 for help.

While the officers were at the home, the mother’s boyfriend, who was at work, called. After speaking to officers, the boyfriend came to the home. The mother returned home at about 8:20 p.m. police say, and spoke to the officers.

Police say Watson had left the home about 5:50 p.m. and that she thought Hawkins would be home at 6:00 p.m.

"Very frustrated. Stressed out. Trying my hardest to make sure she's good," Hawkins said. "Cause she's not a bad parent at all. She's one of the best mothers I've seen."