Kentucky Mother Charged After Leaving 1-Year-Old Alone in Unlocked Apartment With No Food, Police Say

RICHMOND, KENTUCKY — A 34-year-old Kentucky mother is facing criminal charges after police say she abandoned her 1-year-old daughter inside an unlocked apartment with no food, walked away, and later told officers her “spirit could not take it” anymore.

The mother, Sarah Vicker, is charged with abuse of a child 12 or under and abandonment of a minor, according to Hamilton County jail records.

Child Found Alone in Playpen With No Food and Door Unlocked

According to court documents, the incident began around 9 a.m. Wednesday, when Vicker fed her toddler at their apartment on Villa Drive.

By 11 a.m., police say she placed the young child alone in a playpen next to a 65-inch television, left no additional food, and walked out of the apartment — without locking the door.

She allegedly left behind a farewell note to her partner before leaving the residence entirely.

Officers later described the empty, unsecured apartment as dangerous and unsafe for a child that young.

“The child was alone in a playpen along with a note saying that the mother had intended to leave,” said Richmond Police spokesperson Makenzie Davis.
“The unlocked door made the situation extremely unsafe.”

Police Locate Mother at Nearby Church After She Walked Away

Roughly two hours after abandoning the child, officers tracked Vicker to the Revival Tabernacle church, about 1.5 miles from the apartment.

According to the arrest record, Vicker allegedly told officers:

“My flesh and spirit could not take it no longer, so I left.”

Police confirmed she had walked to the church after leaving her daughter behind with no care plan.

Authorities believe the mother had no intention of returning.

Mother Taken Into Custody; Toddler Now Safe

Vicker was booked into Madison County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
She was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Police have not publicly released information about who is currently caring for the child, but officials confirmed the toddler is safe and has been removed from the dangerous environment.

The case remains under investigation as authorities review the mother’s mental state, the family’s history, and whether additional charges are appropriate.

What’s your reaction to this Kentucky abandonment case? Should more oversight be required in child-welfare emergencies like this? Share your thoughts and follow more breaking crime updates at WaldronNews.com.