Toddlers Abandoned By Aunt May Have Been in Car Close to Two Hours

The children had no jackets, hats or gloves when they were found outside Lindee's in a vehicle that wasn’t running.

The toddlers allegedly forgotten by their aunt at Lindee’s Sunday may have been left in the vehicle for up to two hours without jackets, hats or gloves at a time when the temperature was 25 degrees, according to court documents released Tuesday morning. The criminal complaint provides further details on an incident in which 55-year-old Sarah Joan Philbrick, of Hopkins, reportedly left children 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 children were discovered after one of the bar’s employees heard a cough in a vehicle while going out to the parking lot to start her car, Officer Stacy Lakotas, wrote in the criminal complaint. The employee went back in the …

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

The children were cold and not wearing proper clothing.

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’…

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Hopkins Arrest Log

Hopkins Arrest Log: Child Endangerment and Assault

A list of arrests Hopkins police made between July 16 and July 22.

Hopkins police made the following arrests between July 16 and July 22. Patch has only identified arrestees who’ve been charged with felonies (click the links on their names to read the full stories).   Stay up to date on all your local news. Sign up for the free Hopkins Patch newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Editor James Warden's Pinterest boards. Do you own a local business? Click here to learn about five easy ways your business can use Patch.

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Biggest Stories in May: Massage Parlor Prostitutes, Home Alone and LRT

Did you catch all these stories?

Here’s a recap of the posts that generated the most interest on Hopkins Patch in May. Did you catch all of them? *** Undercover Sting Targets Two Hopkins Massage Parlors Police arrested masseuses at two different massage parlors after receiving an anonymous letter accusing the establishments of allowing prostitution on the premises. The establishments are set to go before the City Council for a hearing June 5. Police: Hopkins Woman Left Kids Home Alone, Drove Drunk to Taco Bell A Hopkins woman was charged with child neglect after police said she left her two children, ages 18 months and 2 years, home alone while she drove drunk to a fast-food restaurant. After the woman's arrest, officers found the children at the Oak Park Lane home in …

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Latz Wants Stiffer Penalties For Elderly Abuse

He'll introduce legislation in the 2012 session that would make elderly abuse charges comparable to child endangerment.

Hopkins Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) announced Thursday that he will introduce legislation that would stiffen penalties for abuse of the elderly and vulnerable adults. A news release from Latz’ office said he will try to strengthen current neglect laws and bring penalties more in line with those for child endangerment. The release noted a Star Tribune article on the subject that detailed several cases of abuse. Minnesota is one of five states that don’t have a felony-level penalty for neglecting a vulnerable adult. Instead, the crimes are misdemeanors that carry penalties up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Child neglect or endangerment can result in felony charges, including a second-degree manslaughter charge if the child dies …

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