Staff Report

Natalie R. Hammons

NORTH WEBSTER — A Fort Wayne woman was arrested for allegedly leaving a child by themselves at a motel in North Webster.

Natalie R. Hammons, 39, Fort Wayne, is charged with neglect of a dependent and possession of a controlled substance with enhancing circumstances, both level 6 felonies.

On Sept. 28, North Webster Police officers responded to a report of an erratic individual at a motel. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee who said the individual, later identified as Hammons, left a child at the motel and walked to a gas station.

According to court documents, Hammons told officers she went to the gas station because she didn’t want any problems at the motel. She indicated she did not have a good reason to leave the child unattended and her story was all over the place. Hammons tested 0.17% BrAC on a portable breath test.

The motel employee said she heard the child crying and went to the room the child was in. Upon entering the room, the employee said there was trash and alcohol containers all over the floor. Officers found Hammons’ purse inside the room. While searching Hammons’ purse, officers found a substance that tested positive for bath salts, a schedule II controlled substance.

Hammons has already been arrested and released on her own recognizance. She has an initial hearing at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in Kosciusko Superior Court One.