MESA, AZ - A Mesa woman arrested for leaving her two small children home alone to visit an ex-boyfriend has been sentenced to three months in jail and 20 years probation.
Samantha Abernathy, 21, was scheduled to be sentenced back in October, but didn't show up for her October 23rd court appearance.
A warrant was issued for her arrest, and she was put back in Maricopa County's Fourth Avenue Jail on $5,000 bond.
Abernathy was first arrested in June on child endangerment and neglect charges after police said she left the 2- and 3-year-old children in a home with little food, and “feces and urine stains all over the floor in the children’s bedroom.”
The two children are currently living with relatives.
"When I grabbed [one of the boys] in my arms it was a big sigh of relief," said William Schiminski, the father of both boys, who now has custody.
"We are grateful to the Mesa Police Department and CPS Case workers that responded to the scene on Sunday morning and protected our babies until our family could arrive to take them finally home," said Alishia Wenzell, the children's aunt.
Court paperwork shows Mesa officers were called to the Sonora Canyon Apartments on Gilbert and University on June 14.
Police found their apartment door wide open.
The responding officer said after arriving into the house, the 2-year-old boy went directly to the pantry and began eating dog food.
The officer said the refrigerator had a child lock on it. Inside, the officer found alcohol and very little food.
Schiminski said he believes Abernathy's lifestyle as an escort, then a stripper, played a role in abandoning the children.
Abernathy reportedly told police she left the home about 2 a.m. to help an ex-boyfriend in north Phoenix.
She returned home after 10 a.m. and admits she did not try to find anyone to watch the boys or check up on them, according to police.
Sgt. Ed Wessing of Mesa Police Department said anyone under the age of 12 staying home alone throws up a red flag to police, but it all depends on the child's maturity level.
But when leaving toddlers alone, Sgt. Wessing said, "There's no excuse whatsoever."
Abernathy pleaded guilty to one count of felony child abuse on Sept. 11 in Maricopa County Superior Court.
