Mother Arrested For Leaving Infant In Car
Mother Arrested For Leaving Infant In Car Save Email Print
Posted: 11:23 PM Sep 5, 2008
 Last Updated: 1:20 AM Sep 6, 2008
47 comments
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A mother is arrested after police say she left her infant in the car while she shopped at Wal-Mart.

Somerset police say 22-year old Joni Helton left her baby in the car with the air conditioning on for half an hour.

Police say when they found Helton she appeared to be under the influence. Police say they also found a bottle of Xanax in the car.

Helton is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and possession of a controlled substance.

The baby is with relatives.
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Posted by: kymom Location: lexington on Sep 10, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Sounds to me like there are a lot of people who should be on the pill! I just don't get it! Why do we keep hearing stories like this?! When are people going to realize that you don't leave children in a car by themselves?! Maybe we should make it plain for these idiots. Make them watch a video and sign a paper before they leave the hospital with the baby that they will not ever leave it in the car alone! If they want to act like idiots, then they will be treated like them! These are "unwritten rules"! Don't leave kids in the car, don't shake a baby, don't go to sleep and let the child run off! Geez, people! Get a brain!!!!!
Posted by: Rebecca Location: Hazard on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Let me tell you something, who ever annonymous is. Just because we are from Kentucky does not matter. This is a child we are talking about not a doll. No child I dont care where they are from needs to be left in a car alone. The mother should be put in jail and left there. This is a child and it deserves someone that cares and loves it, not a drug addact mother.
Posted by: Sharon Location: Ky. on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM
That's the problem no one wants to get involved. That is why we hear stuff like this. I say get rid of that stupid store employee for being so stupid and not caring for another human life. As for the mother she needs the child took. Thank God for the good people that did care enough to get involved. We need more like you all.
Posted by: pickup man Location: inez on Sep 9, 2008 at 04:42 PM
If she doesnt want to take care of her children she needs to stay off of her back and not have them. Thats one thing wrong with the world now days they have them and we take care of them.
Posted by: Dwayne Location: Lexington on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Put her in jail or send her back where she came from with her attorney.
Posted by: gail Location: frenchburg on Sep 9, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Reading some of the comments below make me realize why people think bad of Kentucky! doesn't matter who the child is he was in distress and the mother needs to be put into jail for what she has done better yet seems she isn't from this country so send her back to where ever she came from. As for bath an beyond. I will never shop there again and others need to do the same until they FIRE the employee that had NO compassion for a child in those circumstances! Don't try and re-educate/train FIRE them! There is no excuse for not allowing the person to use the phone. Would that person have been the same if someone was dying on the street in front of the store!?
Posted by: Bill Location: Pike on Sep 9, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Look you could wrap them in a pink ribbon and stamp free on thier fore head, and no would take them.Its all in your mind, no one wants your brats.Except the state,so some foster parent,cop,lawyer,and the judges can make money on them.You people are being duped.
Posted by: ladybug Location: ky on Sep 9, 2008 at 12:39 AM
wow" they are more concerned about puppies. in this world instead of children .Their will be more done because of those pups in a bag on the highway than this child...or any child. Did you know? their are no rights for unborn children in ky...They cant do anything to moms on drugs.. their is a girl in our town now, that’s on hard drugs and pregnant for the third time. we reported her, their are no rights for unborn children in ky...Anyone reading this write letters to our governor lets get this changed...Lets speak for the children..
Posted by: LORI Location: LEXINGTON on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:21 PM
BILL BILL BILL YOUR MAMA SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE PILL!! Some people do not need to have any kids. Stoned or not atleast the air was un unlike the other idiot at bed bath & beyond. I would just like to know when people are going to get in in their head that you NEVER EVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A CAR OR ANYWHERE ELSE!!!!!!
Posted by: Tarja Asukas Location: LEXINGTON on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:04 PM
typical Pulaski County people! everything awful happens in that hillbilly town!
Posted by: Melissa Location: nicholasville on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I would have called 911 right away. If the child didn't seem in distress because the AC was on; I would have waited a short time for the police to arrive before breaking the window. Thank goodness for the "nosy" people; we all need to be checking out what is going on around us in hopes that we could also prevent a tragedy.
Posted by: bigboy Location: billsface on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:01 AM
bill are you a complete waste of oxygen or are you just playing around. you make about as much sense as making toast in the bathtub.
Posted by: Foxy Location: WV on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Maybe Bill has lost his zanax ho......
Posted by: Bill Location: Pike on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:25 AM
'WOW' Its her kid not yours?When did it become a funtion of the state to take care of your kids.I don't know how anyone raised a child before the Bap. democrats come along.But yet we did.About the only worry you got is the state stealing childern,no one else wants them.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Residents of KY if your IQ is 2, like this woman, you need to be sterilized so that an innocent child is not hurt because you are a selfish, worthless drug addict.
Posted by: AC Location: Mt. Sterling on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:22 AM
She should never have left the baby, and I hope the police do as much to her as they can. I also won't be purchasing anything from Bed/Bath Beyond due to their negligence and fear of saving a child. And this will be used as a training video? Ignoring a child in distress? Like the policeman said, it is not against law, but it is morally wrong. And I agree with the witness, I hope they can sleep at night knowing they ignored a child in distress.
Posted by: Aaron Location: Lex on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:13 AM
First off, Bill probably is on the other half of the bottle of Xanax. Secondly, I think the person named "Dr A" left the "ss" off his/her name. You'll give them half credit for leaving the air on? God, I hope you really aren't a real Dr. with a comment like that. I give her no credit.
Posted by: brandi Location: Powell County on Sep 8, 2008 at 06:33 AM
Send her to jail.
Posted by: Debbie Location: IN on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:55 AM
Did she "leave the air on"? Or in her drug haze..forget to turn it off??
Posted by: dasie duke on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:43 PM
I know bill he would not even leave his dog in the car he just likes attention
Posted by: viewer on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:41 PM
stop bashing bill he just said that to get a rise out of every one
Posted by: Granny Location: KY on Sep 7, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Bill...have you ever heard the word *KID NAPPING* That could have very well happend to this baby ..not too mention other terrible things that could have happened.. Not for a new york min would a decent mom even think of leaving her baby in a car air or no air..Yes Bill and they need to be in jail if they are this stupid..Her drugs won't help her now will they?
Posted by: Non Location: NC on Sep 7, 2008 at 01:55 AM
FIRST OFF BILL OBVIOUSLY DON'T NEED KIDS EITHER! You DO NOT leave a baby in the car even for 5 mins!! And I know Joni and she has always been a drug addict and DON'T NEED kids! It don't surprise me with her! They need to take that baby away from her for good! This is just ridiculous!
Posted by: Lucille on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Sorry BIll even with the air on YOU NEVER LEAVE A BABY in a car by it's self..So many things can go wrong..I had three myself and they were with me always, If I knew I couldn't take them in I waited untill my husband or a family member could watch them.. There's nothing in WAl-MART worth putting a child in danger for....
Posted by: Denise Location: Pikeville on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:58 PM
As a mother, I get physically ill hearing things like this. Hearing "Bill" from this Co. asking why, if the air was left on. What are the chances people like this are druggies sticking up for their own kind. Okay, get this correct, she left an infant in the car! Do you understand that!
Posted by: Donna Location: Paris on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I take it Bill would leave his child in the car and go shopping. When will some people learn. They should give her jail time on that one and give the child to someone who will take care of it.
Posted by: VICKIE KING Location: lancaster ky on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:38 PM
is this person any kin to person that kill serveral kids in Jessamine co KY in 06 or/07
Posted by: Alice Location: Richmond on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Why arrested? Certainly you jest. What responsible person leaves infant alone in a car? Would you leave an infant alone at home? The possibilities of disaster are innumerable. Additionally, let's not forget mom appeared to be under the influence as well. I'm sure the car did not drive itself to Wal-Mart. (If it did, where can I buy one?)
Posted by: Chayla Location: Nicholasville on Sep 6, 2008 at 06:55 PM
I just can't get over the comment below me! Wow! What do you mean "Why was she arrested?" I really hope you are sterile if you think leaving a infant in the car alone for a half an hour is Ok, even if the air is on...that's insane. Plus she was obviously under the influence of Xanax.
Posted by: Ann Location: KY on Sep 6, 2008 at 05:06 PM
That is just plain stupidity!!! It don't matter if the a/c was on, sensible people don't leave their kids alone...not even for one second!! How much trouble could it have been to sit the baby's carrier in the shopping cart?? None at all!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 04:55 PM
why not get a baby sitter why u go to wal mart? hmmmm well at least she turn air on
Posted by: A Mommy Location: Harlan on Sep 6, 2008 at 04:41 PM
You have got to be kidding me!!!! I can't believe someone (Bill) would even ask such a question! It doesn't matter if the air was on or not, a child whether it be an infant or an adolescent should NEVER be left unattended. YOU SIMPLY DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILD FOR ANY REASON! A child can be taken in a split second so why would any mother do such a thing? I agree with A. from Lexington...some people just don't deserve to have children.
Posted by: Dee Location: KY on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Bill in Pike....Are you really serious? WHY was she arrested? I am glad the stupid women had the sense to leave the air on, at least she didn't fry the poor child, BUT COME ON! Its a crime to neglect ya child no matter what theheck you do. I pray you don't have kids.
Posted by: mom Location: lex on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Oh dear Bill, air conditioning or not, we don't leave children in the car by themselves. Though for some reason in your brain in seems like an okay idea, it's really not so much!! We real parents know that they make carts in Walmart with kid seats and seatbelts for a reason!!!!
Posted by: Dr A Location: Paintsville on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:43 PM
I'll give her some credit, she left the air conditioner on. Atleast she didnt leave it in hot temperatures. It's sad she left the child in the car by its self though.She only gets half the credit....
Posted by: KyNurse Location: Lexington on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:21 PM
To Bill......Why was she arrested? She left an infant ALONE for 30 minutes. Anything could have happened. Someone could have abducted the child or anything. I am extremely thankful that the air conditioning was left on, but you can not leave a child alone like this. If you watch or read the news then you know that crazy unexpected events can and do happen. I remember two children being abducted last year while the father went back into the house to get the diaper bag. The children were left alone for less than a minute. A child must be protected and this mother needs major help.
Posted by: A Location: R on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:55 PM
@Bill Location: Pike DOnt think much do ya? Yes the car was running and the baby was in it. So any 13yrold with an itch could have taken the car and killed the kid. You do realise how easy it is to get a car moving once you have the keys dont you?
Posted by: Ashley Location: Frankfort on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:46 PM
OK Bill. It's good she left the air on, but you still DON'T leave a baby in the car alone. DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: John Location: Madisonville on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:27 PM
This woman is as bright as a 40-watt bulb !!
Posted by: Scott Location: Georgetown on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Ok, Bill, let's run the what-ifs... what if the car shut off... what if someone broke the glass and took the child... what if the child had a medical emergency... Furthermore... the story states that the mother appeared to be under the influence... should be have been allowed to just leave with the child, pull out onto the street and possibly get T-boned by another vehicle killing herself or the child. Dude, use your head and stop trying to be a martyr for criminals.
Posted by: Gary Location: Eastern Kentucky on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I hope someone in the family can step up and take charge of raising this child; providing the family has someone capable of loving and doing what is right for this child. So many things could have happened to the child while it was left alone in the car. The car could have caught fire; someone could have stolen the car, and or the child or both. I know it's not in any owner’s manuals, but a child should never be left alone. It's sad the child's mother didn't have its best interest at heart, and for the life of me, I can't figure out what Wal-Mart would have that would be more interesting or more important than the child itself. Some people just should be able to produce children.
Posted by: jake Location: richmond on Sep 6, 2008 at 11:03 AM
bill this was an infant in a car alone for a half an hour.... a baby alone outside... could have been taken real easy.. this woman should never get this kid back no excuse will work here...
Posted by: Julie Location: Winchester on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM
In reference to the earlier comment where the guy thought it was ok to leave the child in the car because the air conditioning was on.. do you not understand, that anything could have happened? This was a baby not a teen, it could have choked, car, could have caught fire, someone could have stolen the baby and murdered it. This mother deserves jail, maybe it will sober her up some.
Posted by: ML Location: KY on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Bill what do you think of this???...HUMMM anyone could have stolen the car and the baby.... Maybe a caring someone should have, and that would really take care of that little Angel she left in a car alone....Yes it was good that she had enough sense to leave the air on, but you don't just leave a baby unattended anywhere.....That is NEGLECT!!!!!
Posted by: Bill Location: Pike on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:44 AM
If the air was on, why was she arrested??Before long all the folks left on the streets in Ky. will be cops.Everyone else will be in jail.!!WOW!!
Posted by: Beth Location: Oregon on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:24 AM
You guys are lucky you got Wendy Enneking! We miss her over here, she's a real pro.
Posted by: Angie Location: Prestonsburg on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:19 AM
What ashame! I hope that the mother has the harshest chrages possible brought against her. A baby is defensless and depends on a mother for care and support, not neglect!
Posted by: A. Location: Lexington on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Some people just don't deserve to have children.
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