HUBER HEIGHTS — A mother is facing child endangerment charges after her two children were found more than half a mile away from their home behind a McDonald’s, according to police.
Molly E. Eveland, 27, was charged by police and released with a summons to appear in court, according to a police incident report.
The police report states it likely took the children 30 minutes on Feb. 24 to make it to the McDonald’s on Merily Way where they were found by an employee who kept them from going into the parking lot.
An arraignment hearing for Eveland is scheduled for March 7 in the Municipal Court of Montgomery County, according to online court records.
Eveland on Friday called the issue a family matter.
“It is being handled within the family and specialists,” Eveland said via telephone. “I’m here to tell you my children are my world, I would never do anything to harm them or put them in harm’s way.”
A passerby called 911 last week after spotting the children, who were unharmed in the ordeal.
“I asked where the mom and dad is, and the little girl said, ‘I am the mom,’” said the 911 caller. “They are by themselves.”
The police report states the children — at least one being age three — had to cross Mt Hood, go through an eight-foot fence and walk through a wooded area before reaching the fast-food chain.
The police report states when the children were returned to Eveland she didn’t know they were gone.