Mother arrested after kids near traffic

Two children, ages 3 and 5, were found standing in the middle of a North Lauderdale street on Tuesday, Nov. 3, while the 15-year-old boy tasked with their supervision slept inside their home.

Deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7500 block of Tam O’Shanter Boulevard after a man reported seeing the unattended children in the roadway. The man pointed toward the residence where the children had wandered from.

Janay Traeshawn Readon, 38, was not at the home when deputies arrived. She had left the children in the care of her 15-year-old son after her adult daughter departed for work. Readon told investigators that she arranged for the teenager to watch his younger siblings until her return.

Upon entering the apartment, deputies located the 15-year-old son asleep in a rear bedroom. He was wearing headphones and did not initially respond to attempts to wake him. When he finally awoke, he appeared disoriented, according to the arrest report.

The 5-year-old child has autism and the 3-year-old has epilepsy. Deputies noted that both children require increased care and supervision. Neighbors told police that the children had returned to the apartment and locked themselves inside. Deputies persuaded the children to unlock the door after several attempts.

This incident marks the third time in less than two months that children have been found unsupervised. On Sept. 26, a child left the home through the front door to go to a park. On Oct. 5, two children were found alone at a playground behind North Lauderdale Elementary School.

Readon was arrested at her home on two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Her bond was set at $500 per count, totaling $1,000.