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EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - An Evansville woman charged with leaving her 10-month-old daughter home alone all night made in her first court appearance Thursday morning.
While Heather Smith was read her class D felony charges through teleconference, Evansville police arrested the baby's father, Dewone Broomfield, also for felony child neglect.
Since 19-year-old Smith only had a battery charge from last year on her record, Senior Judge Scott Bowers planned to release Heather from jail.
Heather's mother said the whole situation is a misunderstanding.
Rosa Perez, Heather Smith's mother, said, "My daughter has done everything she can for her children. She is a very good mother."
Perez said her granddaughter's father, Dewone Broomfield, who was recently let out prison, has frequented Heather's apartment to see his 10-month-old daughter Dyjiah. because he does not live with Smith.
Perez claimed that on Tuesday night, a fight broke out between Heather and Dewone.
"He would not let her take her baby with her," Perez said. "He kept her from the baby, so my daughter, Heather, grabs her other daughter and leaves. As she leaves, he is hitting her outside. He would not let her take the baby, so she thought the baby was just fine with the father."
A neighbor reported to police that Dewone then left the apartment with the television turned on and the front door open all night.
The 13-year-old neighbor and his mother found the infant and took her back to their apartment.
Officer Karen Kajmowicz responded to the scene Wednesday morning.
Kajowicz said, "She was cold and dirty and had a soiled diaper."
Kajowicz said Child Protective Services took custody of both Dyjiah and Heather's three-year-old daughter, and when contacted by police, both Smith and Broomfield willingly spoke to detectives about the incident.
Detective Tim Bickell of the Evansville Police Department said, "She says she left the child in the care of the father, and the father says he left the daughter in the care of the mother."
Broomfield is charged with battery in presence of a child and child neglect, and Heather's testimony led to a neglect charge for her.
"She admitted she observed Broomfield toss the baby in a baby carrier in the room and did nothing about it," said Bickell.
Perez claimed her daughter didn't stop what was happening because she was trying to prevent more abuse from Broomfield.
"Heather stands some blame to be in a situation where the violence continues, but he is to blame for leaving the child not her," Perez said.
While Smith only had a battery charge on her criminal record, Broomfield was recently let out of prison on dog fighting and gun charges.
Smith's next court appearance is Tuesday.
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Dewone Broomfield
