Police: Eau Claire women left seven kids with teen for 10 days

Two Eau Claire women are accused of having a 16-year-old girl baby-sit their seven young children for a 10-day period last March.

Authorities say the children in the teen's care ranged in age from 2 to 6, and the 6-year-old was in charge of changing the younger children's diapers.

The teen was watching her own young child at the same time, authorities say.

Natasha L. Carter, 27, 2017 Vine St., and Rachel L. Hoyt, 26, 3042 Kilbourne Ave., were charged Tuesday in Eau Claire County Court with four and three misdemeanor counts, respectively, of child neglect.

Both women are scheduled to make their initial court appearances March 29.

According to the criminal complaint:

Officials with the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services received information that a 16-year-old girl had been watching the seven children from March 11 to 21, 2011, at a residence formerly shared by Carter and Hoyt in the 1800 block of Bellinger Street.

Human services officials visited the residence on March 21, 2011, and spoke with the teen, who said Carter would stop by the house periodically but would only stay for a few minutes.

The teen told officials there were only two diapers left in the house and no milk. She said there was no way to call for more supplies or to pay for them herself.

Officials noted the residence was very messy.

Carter showed up while human services officials were at the residence. Carter admitted she had been drinking and smoking marijuana earlier in the day.

Carter said she had a hard time dealing with all the children and needed a break.

A friend of the teen's assisted with the baby-sitting for a portion of the 10-day period. The friend told authorities she and the teen initially were asked to watch the seven children for three days while Carter and Hoyt went to Chicago.

The three days extended to 10 days, the teen said.

Holtz can be reached at 715-833-9207, 800-236-7077 or dan.holtz@ecpc.com.

(c)2012 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.)

Visit the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) at www.leadertelegram.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

Tags: news, wisconsin, crime, courts