Indiana Mom Arrested After Leaving Vodka for Babysitting Teens; 1-Year-Old Found Wandering Street at Night

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 27, 2025

Evansville, IN – A disturbing incident unfolded early on July 5 when a 1-year-old girl was found wandering alone in the middle of a street, wearing a urine-soaked diaper, in Evansville, Indiana.

Authorities have since arrested the child’s mother, Ashley Ellis, for allegedly leaving her teenage daughter and a friend to babysit the toddler while providing them with vodka.

This troubling case raises serious concerns about child neglect and responsible caregiving, highlighting the dangers of leaving young children in the care of underage individuals impaired by alcohol.

The Startling Discovery on Stevens Avenue

At approximately 5 a.m., a concerned female neighbor noticed the young child alone in the street, crying out for her mother when she woke up to barking dogs outside her home in the 1700 block of Stevens Avenue. After rescuing the toddler, the neighbor observed:

The child was only wearing a diaper which was soaked in urine
The toddler was suffering from a severe diaper rash and a painful sore

She immediately contacted emergency services and brought the child to safety. First responders arrived shortly afterward and found only two teenagers inside the home: Ellis’ 16-year-old daughter and her 15-year-old friend. The 16-year-old subsequently suffered a seizure and was rushed to the hospital.

Details of Neglect and Alcohol Involvement

According to police interviews, the 15-year-old friend revealed that at approximately 1:30 a.m., Ashley Ellis gave her and the 16-year-old daughter a bottle of vodka before leaving them alone with the toddler. The teens reportedly each consumed about three shots of alcohol, impairing their ability to care for the child.

The teenage friend stated she only became aware of the toddler’s presence around 2:30 a.m. when she heard the child crying. By around 4:40 a.m., both teens were throwing up; the friend estimated the toddler had been outside unattended for approximately 30 minutes, crying out for her mother.

“The toddler had been outside alone for close to half an hour, crying and vulnerable in the early morning hours,” said a spokesperson for the Evansville Police Department.

Legal Actions and Charges Against Ashley Ellis

Authorities attempted to contact Ellis for two days without success. When finally reached, Ellis admitted she only intended to be away for a few hours but panicked upon learning what had occurred. She refused to undergo a drug test during the investigation.

Ashley Ellis, aged 42, has been charged with:

Two counts of neglect of a dependent
Two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor

She is currently held at the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $750 bond and is scheduled for an initial court appearance on the Friday following the incident.

Broader Implications and Community Concerns

This incident sheds light on the critical need for responsible childcare and the dangers of exposing minors to alcohol and hazardous environments. Community members and child protection advocates stress the importance of awareness and intervention in cases of child neglect.

Local law enforcement encourages anyone aware of similar situations to report them promptly to protect vulnerable children and hold negligent guardians accountable.

For further details on this case, visit the full report at Law&Crime.

Key Facts:

Incident date: Early morning of July 5
Location: 1700 block of Stevens Avenue, Evansville, Indiana
Ashley Ellis, 42, mother arrested on neglect and delinquency charges
16-year-old daughter and her 15-year-old friend given vodka to babysit
1-year-old child found wandering alone, suffering from neglect
16-year-old experienced seizure and hospitalized
Ellis held on $750 bond, court appearance scheduled

What do you think about this case of neglect and irresponsible caregiving? Have you encountered similar situations in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!