Aunt Leaves Toddlers in Car to Go Drink, Departs in Taxi Without Kids

An aunt left a 1-year-old and 3-year-old in a vehicle that wasn’t running while she stopped in Lindee’s to drink Sunday night—and then left in a taxi without them, the Hopkins Police Department announced late Monday afternoon.

A patron found the children inside a locked vehicle, brought them inside and called 911, according to a news release.

“The children were reported to be cold and not wearing proper clothing for the elements,” the release stated.

Officers later learned that the children had been under the care of their aunt, 55-year-old Sarah Joan Philbrick, while their parents were working.

Philbrick reportedly went inside Lindee’s, drank alcohol and then left the bar in a taxi, according to the release.

Police contacted the children’s parents, who asked that they be turned over to another relative.

Philbrick later returned to the bar and was arrested on suspicion of two counts of gross misdemeanor child endangerment—which carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, police Sgt. Michael Glassberg said.

She’s being held in Hennepin County jail on $6,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to jail records.

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