PALMDALE – A 12-year-old girl left at home with her 3-year-old sister sought the assistance of neighbors early Wednesday morning as her East Palmdale home was being burglarized, according to reports from the scene.
The girls were not hurt, but the house in the 4200 block of Sorrell Avenue was ransacked, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Quichocho. The burglary occurred around 1.20 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, he said.
A neighbor said the 12-year-old girl ran to her house for help.
“I was asleep and I heard my doorbell ringing like crazy… I opened the door and it was my daughter’s friend,” said Antonette, who did not give her last name. “She was standing in front of my front door with a knife in her hand and crying hysterically, saying that somebody broke into her house.”
The girl said she heard footsteps in her home, so she ran down the stairs and out the front door, Antonette said.
Antonette said she woke up her husband and asked him to go over to the girl’s house, because the girl’s 3-year-old sister was still inside.
Her husband honked his car horn outside the girl’s home to scare aware suspected intruders, then he entered the home and found the 3-year-old unharmed, according to Antonette.
When deputies arrived, no intruders were inside the home, according to a Palmdale Sheriff’s Station broadcast. The incident is still under investigation. The mother of the girls works in Redondo Beach and may have left her children alone so she could go to work, neighbors said.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Palmdale Sheriff’s Station detectives at 661-272-2400.
AVTHUG says
You can thank femenist single parent household ideology for this.
Lisa says
Wow! Thank God the kids are okay…. However, I’m still stuck on the part that this is the second time the house was burglarized. I understand the mom has to work and care for her children but after the first time this happened my children would not stay home alone. Hopefully friends or family can step in and help care for the children while the mom is working…. God Bless those children and there mother as this was a traumatic experience for them all….
Just Me says
Wow you all do know that 12 year olds are having babies these days right? The mom has to work end of story. She has to leave her kids alone and it’s a shame but it’s a harsh reality, get over yourselves and get off your high horses. Not everyone can afford babysitters at night which costs more money.
Nancy P says
Heart breaking, but true. 12 yr old girls are having babies. I am sorry so many people are attacking this mom. The article says she was working, and I know how hard it is. Maybe she could find a student at AV College who needs a home (not just a place to stay), in exchange for babysitting at night. I do like the dog idea. Even a small dog is a good warning system. A dog can only be a warning system and if she can’t handle the expense, maybe a foster dog where the rescue provides food and the family provides love and a warm place to stay.
Afungul x 2 says
I just read this story and no where does it say anything about a 12 yr. old having kids….
avmom says
Glad the kids are ok. A home security system might deter the creeps & give the family some security. A large dog is a great idea too if possible.
brianna says
how scary for the children and if to say it was true the mother was working im sure there are options and help for child care at nights but if ur working nights and that far the pay must be worth it so , wouldnt it be worth it to pay someone to watch ur children so things like this dont happen. all children deserve to have there parents but not all parents deserve to have there children. theres no excuses for child endangerment point blank.
Irena says
I think there is way more to the story. Redondo Beach is pretty far away and there are not very many large companies there that even stay open that late. I can’t imagine a smaller business paying well enough for the mother to travel up to 2 hours at night and leave her kids alone.
As for bashing the mother, she choose to leave her children at home. Where they good reasons? I don’t know. I would not have made that choice no matter what. There are always options, even if you don’t really like them. If she is low income, CCR would have helped with paying for child care. Many churches offer low cost child care as well. It might have been wiser to find something during the day and availed herself of those resources.
moll flanders says
There will always be people that point a finger at those they see as making poor choices, you know, those who have all the answers to everything. It’s a good idea to take that finger and point it back at yourself. Those people probably won’t because they can’t find anything within themselves to self evaluate. There are people that only want to see their narrow point of view as right. It is rigid thinking and self-righteous.
Irena says
Considering what the mother did was probably illegal, it isn’t a question of pointing fingers.
Have I made bad choices? Of course, we all have, but none of mine ended up with a child running in fear for her life through the dark of night carrying a knife while another child was home alone with someone ransacking the home. Imagine how terrifying all this was to the both of them? They will most likely have nightmares and anxiety over this.
Truth says
Who are you to judge anybody? There’s right and there is wrong and people make mistakes everyday, many of which have been leading to death.
How about you post something positive? Something beneficial instead of judgemental? I mean, you’re presenting yourself as a person that knows something this lady didn’t so why not assist her?
You need to seriously evaluate yourself before you jump to judge not only another person but a mother.
Irena says
Yes because nobody should ever have to be held responsible for their own actions. Everyone should pat them on the back and tell them what a good job they are doing, even if they caused harm to someone else.
I am so very tired of this whole philosophy that everyone is right, that there are no wrong decisions and that no matter what they should be supported for the most irrational or irresponsible choices they make. There are no positive things I can say about this other then hopefully this is a wake up call for the mother and she will seek help.
All I read here are comments almost glorifying the mother that she is a working mother who left her children alone. Heck I worked 2 jobs, attended college full time and raised 3 children without ever leaving them home alone like that. Why? I was raised to never do that. By telling people it is sad she has to do this, and how awful for them, it is telling them it acceptable to do it.
I did offer suggestions, like get a home alarm system, seek out resources that could help her.
Greg says
I entered the search ‘legal age for overnight babysitter in California’ and discovered that California has no minimum age limit as law for leaving a child alone overnight. Popular guidelines based on court cases where something has happened recommend no overnights alone before 13, with the understanding that it is based on the character and limitations of the child.
So did she break any laws by leaving her children home alone while she went to work? The answer is no.
Irena says
The child was 12, younger than 13 and she was responsible for the 3 years old. Had it just been her, it might have been ok, but it was a toddler as well. An adult would have known to take the 3 year old with them and not leave her alone.
Child endangerment is never cut and dry. She will probably be investigated and hopefully they can help her find the appropriate resources.
The favorite cousin says
A BIG F YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LEFT A NEGITIVE COMMENT MY COUSIN IS A NURSE SHE IS HELPING SAVE PEOPLES LIVES SHE WORKS HARD TO TAKE CARE OF MY LITTLE COUSINS SHE PROVIDES THEM WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEED And Sometimes She has to Work Late AND MY LITTLE COUSIN IS OLD ENOUGH TO WATCH HER SISTER AND SHE DOES A GOOD JOB SHE IS VERY SMART AND RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SOMEONE HAS BROKEN INTO HER HOUSE THIS PAST CHRISTMAS SUSPECTS STOLE ALL OF THE GIRLS CHRISTMAS GIFTS WHILE SHE WAS OUT WITH THE GIRLS VISITING FAMILY THESE SUSPECTS NEED TO BE CAUGHT SO PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE PALMDALE SHERRIF STATION YOUR WIFE SISTER MOTHER DAUGHTER COUSIN NEICE FATHER BROTHER SON NEPHEW UNCLES HOUSE COULD BE NEXT ON THE SUSPECTS LIST THESE PEOPLE CAN TARGET YOU WHILE YOUR AWAY AND IN YOUR HOME HOW WOULD YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WORK HARD TO PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY DONT LEAVE NEGITIVE COMMENTS MAKE A DIFFRENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO DO WHAT MY LITTLE COUSIN DID GET OUT THE HOME GET HELP CALL THE POLICE LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS MAKE A DIFFRENCE DONT JUDGE ASK PEOPLE IF THEY MIGHT KNOW WHOS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BREAK IN AND HELP MY COUSIN GET JUSTICE FOR HER HOME DAMAGE AND JUSTICE FOR MY COUSINS BEING TRAMATIZED BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE WANT TO STEAL FROM A HONEST WORKING FAMILY INSTEAD OF GETTING A JOB AND WORKING HARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR NEEDS I LOVE YOU COUSIN THIS TO SHALL PASS
KayDee says
So sorry to see what happened to your family members. Your cousin should ignore the negativity. She should be proud that she has taught her children what to do in case of emergencies and thankful to God that no one was hurt. She should be commended for working hard to provide for her family. She is a model citizen and our community needs more like her.
Tammy says
Redondo Beach is too far from Palmdale to leave children alone, especially at that hour. No one is pointing the finger but when children are placed in danger people will speak out. A nurse salary should allow someone to sleep in that home with those kids. I hope someone in her family steps up to help support her cause to help and give back to community.
Irena says
Why was an alarm system not installed then after the first break-in? It is like $30 a month. Small price to pay for some piece of mind. Not to mention, why did the child not have access to a cell phone if she was being left alone like that?
Greg says
Maybe a tight budget? That answers both questions.
The second question could also be answered by; land line, or she had a cell phone (do not see in article where it states otherwise) and she left it in another part of the house. Not uncommon to leave a cell phone on a kitchen counter charging, or next to the couch in the living room.
Irena says
But spending $400+ a month in gas makes sense on a tight budget? if the mother was truly low income, there are programs out there that provide free cell phones.
The fact that child didn’t have access to a phone (either by accident or otherwise) leads me to believe that that child is not old enough to be left alone.
Question says
where did you read that there was no access to a phone? You ASSUME that there wasn’t because of what Irene? Because the little girl ran to a neighbors house? How about you ESP this in the future~YOU babysitting for FREE? How bout that Mrs. Mind reader? Although I feel driving that far for work is too far to leave 2 children that age home alone, I truly understand why. As I am a single mom of 4 children and have had to juggle work, babysitting and home alone issue for day and night positions as well. P.S nurses don’t make that great of money especially in Cali where the cost of living is ridiculously high. As I am a nurse also, so I can say that. I wish the kiddos well and momma know you are doing the best you can. If I lived in Lancaster still I would babysit for you.
Anna says
My concern is this…what if instead of a burglar it would have been a house fire. Even adults panic in a time of stress and situations of survival. Plenty of children die in house fires because they don’t know what to do. So, she made it out of the house, she left a toddler alone. If the neighbors had not been home or wouldn’t have answered the door then what? So much could happen without adult supervision or even someone old enough to make a crucial judgement call. At 12 years old she is not capable of making those decisions in a true time of disaster…yeah she ran out of the house to next door…she should have taken her sister with her. This is the 2nd time it has happened? Really? And the mother still left them alone? Hopefully, she has learned a lesson and will not do it again. If her cousins love her so much they can come and stay with the kids.
moll flanders says
It’s easy to be an Armchair Judge; not so easy in other matters. I pray this family finds peace of mind, and doesn’t pay attention to you giving your piece of mind. Finger pointing is easy because it doesn’t hold you accountable. You just get to point that finger that probably has a very long fingernail.
Irena says
So as a society we should condone bad behavior? We should just smile as say that is ok? Much like the “everyone is a winner” train of thought, it really doesn’t do any good in the long run.
I also hope that the mother and her family seek and receive assistance for this situation, and have stated as much all along. I personally don’t believe in patting someone on the back for such poor judgement. What kind of message does that send? Positive re-enforcement has a place, this isn’t one of them, especially where children are involved.
Anna says
Moll, we are not arm chair judges…but I am certainly sick and tired of all the stuff going down in this valley. The crime is horrible, people do amazingly mean and rotten things and the only way any of us knew this woman endangered her children is the fact this situation was brought forth into the news. Now, what would you be saying if the 12 year old had not gotten out? Had she been raped or kidnapped? Or the 3 year old sister raped? Or both murdered? Would you be so quick to say the mother is doing the best she can? Irena is simply pointing out that the mother no matter how hard she works has to think of her children first and foremost. I never ever left my kids alone ever even when they were teens. Children don’t have the frame of mind adults do. So, yes as long as people are leaving their children alone, and it’s brought to the readers attention via the Police…we will have our say. I truly hope this mother gets a clue and never leaves them again. I am sure that 12 year old is having a difficult time dealing with this. Who knows if the 3 year old was even awake. This valley is not a safe haven anymore.
Anon says
Redondo Beach is a bit of a ways from Palmdale. Sad that such a thing like this happens.
Mary Ann says
What a sad world that we live in where you have to leave your children alone in the middle of the night because you have to work so you can feed and support your children. I truly hope the mother won’t be prosecuted for this, that this brings more awareness to the plight of parents trying to keep a roof, food and basic necessities while working a job whose corporate owners could care less about their employees home life and pays little to their workers while the owners/stockholders rake in a fortune.
As a nation, we should rise above and stop this never-ending circle of indentured servitude to the ones who need to make a real living off of their wages, and not to the owners who live a sweet life off their trust funds.
Irena says
Wow sense of entitlement much? The mother endangered her children plain and simple and you sit there and blame the company? This mother made a choice to do this.
So tired of hearing people blame all their woes on the big bad corporate world. How capitalism is the bane of our existence.
Friendsinlowplaces says
I’m as conservative as they come and I didn’t interpret anything about that previous comment as a sense of entitlement or anticapitalism. My interpretation was more along the lines of better wages for the worker versus higher profit margins for companies. For the record, your ignorance regarding the law and child endangerment should probably be kept private as it simply makes your subsequent statements even less credible.
Irena says
Leaving a child alone unsupervised can be seen as child endangerment. In CA. actual harm does not have to occur for a parent or other caregiver to be charged with such a crime.
Leaving a child unattended in a car can be charged as child endangerment. Even if the child suffers no ill effects, the possibility of harm exists. It displays poor judgement on the caregiver or parent.
Under California Penal Code Section 273a(a): “Any person who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of that child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits that child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison for two, four, or six years
Note the part about “willfully causes or permits”
Did the mother’s actions raise to this level? I don’t know. The fact that her house had been burglarized previously and she still left them alone might become a factor. Was this the first time they were left alone? Or the 100th? Are there other things going on in the house such as lack of food, heat or water? This will all be used to determine if a crime was committed.
Please explain what you think child endangerment means?
Singlemomtoo says
I understand completely.. I have been there with 2 young daughters and had to work nights and had no one to help.. Thank god they are safe and that little girl is a hero.. And instead of bashing the mother, how about some compassion… To have to work and worry every night so she can support them praying nothing like this would ever happen and then to get that call… I feel for her and her girls… Praying for her & her daughters and I hope they catch that piece of mierda that did this to them..
Robin says
I can’t believe people bash the mom. Classic example of criticizing without walking in her shoes. Glad the kids are ok!!
Marshall says
Someone must have known that 12 year old would be there alone with the baby. Nobody would be that bold to enter that house at that time. I hope from now on the neighbors would watch the house a little closer or some friend or relative would come over and stay with the 12 year and 3 year old. It’s a blessing that neither one was injured. Kudos to the young lady for getting out of the house and notifying the neighbor.
rooney says
I feel bad for this mother that she has no one to rely on for baby sitting. Bless her heart for working and not bleeding the state like a big percentage up here. So glad it all turned out ok.
Maryahblue says
I can not believe you people who are bashing this poor woman for leaving her 12 year old at home so she could work. Granted, that is a long distance away from those children and maybe she is trying to get work closer. Have you never been in a situation where you have no one to rely on!!
This little girl did a great job!! Maybe mom should consider a large dog for a companion. Sometimes the bark is enough to frighten someone into not coming in.
Stacy says
How frightening this must have been for the kids! For anyone that is attacking this hard working mom; I haven’t heard anyone offer to babysit yet. And yes, I will volunteer my time to help, but given the facts this 12 year old did the right thing, I don’t think they need my services. This little girl deserves a medal.
Anonymous says
It is actually legal for a child at age 12 to be home alone or watch their siblings. So those of you saying she’s a bad mom for that are in the wrong. Just cause it’s something you wouldn’t do doesn’t mean the mom should be arrested as one of you said. I wouldn’t personally work THAT far from home if I worked nights & HAD to leave my children alone. But I can’t even judge. None of you can.
The girl was responsible & luckily no one was hurt. Belongings can be replaced & I’m sure the girls will not be left alone again. The mother is probably not only thankful her daughters are safe but feels bad enough as it is. Knock it off.
Irena says
There is no law in California that specifically states an age whereas a child can be left alone though 12 is generally accepted as the lowest age.. it is left up to the individual and their level of maturity as well other factors such as length of time, location etc. Not all 12 year old’s are as mature or as responsible as others. Having a 12 year old watch another sibling adds another layer to the situation. What if a fire had broken out? Could the 12 year have been expected to rescue the 3 year old? In the above article, the 12 year old actually left the 3 year old home alone while she sought help.
Again had it just been the 12 year old, it might not be so bad, but making her responsible for her very young sibling is another matter all together. I truly hope that the mother gets some type of assistance. I imagine she will also have nightmares because of this.
mary says
This 12 year old did exactly what she should have done ! got out the quickest way and get help! Because it could have been a lot worse Had she stayed and tried to defend or get the 3 year old out! The mother is doing what she needs to do to bring her children up! People are always so quick to judge! Shame on you! To the thugs who broke into their home I hope your caught and put away for putting a fear into this family they will never forget!!!!!
Nancy P says
The 12yr old did exactly what she should have done. Stay out of harms way and get help from a trusted friend or neighbor. What a tramatic experience. I hope both kids are doing okay and a friend or relative can stay with them at night until the fear subsides.
Johny Chingas says
It sounds that the idiots who committed this crime are People that they know this woman is not at home at night.
Unfortunately, there are many cases like this, where the parents don’t work around here.
We can’t judge the Mom for leaving the kids unattended because she needs to go to work. (Assuming this is true).
I know the comments could be different If she was a Welfare, and Food Stamps recipient.
me says
You people bashing this lady at least she works would you rather her sit on her ass and collect government assistance???? Thank God the girls are okay.
msaints says
Amen to that….
salina hoover says
@really……I agree with I all the way. I understand how hard it being a single parent. Plus the girl SAS old enough to babysit.
sadtruth says
Yes the mother was wrong to leave her 12yer old in charge off the 3year old alone. BUT PERSONALLY I’d be more mad at her if she was out partying being an irresponsible person, but she was working and sadly people are only quick to lend a helping hand AFTER something goes wrong. Maybe the mother didn’t really have anyone, or if she did family is quick to say they have something else going on. Day cares sadly charge an arm and a leg. I wouldn’t leave my kids alone. I feel bad for her and her kids. Hope she can figure outnsomething soon. As for the intruder, FRY YOU ASSHOLE, WHO HAD NOTHING BETTER TO DO then to ransack a hard working persons home YOU PIECE OF CRAP JERK! I hope neighbors had camera and get a look at you, you MIERDA
Armed says
Not that I leave my kids home alone, but if I did…I pity the fool that breaks in as my kids are trained to use the weapons we have and I can proudly say that they are really good shots. Break into my house and you will be shot, seriously injured, or dead.
Seth says
Agree, put up good locks, lights with motion, and train your family well. My kids are crack shots as well and respect and know the tools required to get the job done should some moron decide to make a bad decision in life.
Gowchong says
Good comment. My kids were trained in weapon use from the time they were five. Now adults, they are still crack shots. My son owns his own firearms business and is a licensed FFL.
Now…if your minor children have access to weapons, the laws established by the liberals would put you in jail. So while I wholeheartedly agree with how you have trained your children, I urge you to use caution. Stupid laws tend to favor the criminals here in CA.
John says
WOW! Let’s punish the single mother that has to work nights to make an honest living.
Shame on you! Where is the disgust toward the burglars that broke into their house that night? I am sure this poor mother will make some changes regarding her children while she is at work. The mother is not the problem. The 12 year old babysitter is not the problem. The problem is the fools that broke into the house.
There is no law in California regarding the minimum age to be a babysitter and most babysitting classes are for ages 11 and up.
The mother did no wrong to let her 12 year old daughter babysit a younger sibling during the night when they should be sleeping. Unless there are other problems within the household, I see no reason for children services to get involved or charges of child endangerment.
sb says
No excuse for leaving kids at that time of night aslone work or not! Could have had a neighbor watch over so quit making excuses for her
Mark says
Exactly, absolutely no reason to leave a 12 year old at home. It’s child endangerment and mom should be arrested.
Margaret Grimm says
I babysat late at night when I was 12. Stop judging! It was common for 12-year-old’s to babysit multiple kids by themselves and my girls used to watch their younger siblings. This poor girl did everything right and should be commended for her actions. She would have gone through the trauma regardless if her mom was there or not. The burglar didn’t care who was at home, they never do.
concerned parent says
How the faq you going to leave two small children alone at 1 am. Is there no babysitter? Family? Friend? FATHER?!! Come on now!! Thank the lord that nothing happend to these kids. Irresponsible parenting I’d say.
agree100 says
I couldn’t AGREE with you more!!! This women deserves to be slapped with child endangerment! This article discust me! This is terrifying for an adult let alone children, shame on that mother . our one job is to protect and she failed!
REALLY?!?! says
Your comment is awfully judgmental. Have some compassion. The girl is clearly old enough to babysit and did exactly the right thing in that situation. Whatever the reason her mother had to leave them alone is her own business. It is up to each parent to determine the maturity level of their own children. Since when did people decide that they get to step in and take over parenting whenever they disagree with someone? Child protective services has enough on their plate with real abuse occurring. This poor woman will now have to help her child through a traumatic situation, and does not need to do this while on limited visitations because of interference from the government.
ditto says
@REALLY?!?! – I couldn’t agree more. The last thing anyone needs is governmental interference.
Elisabeth says
12 years old is not a small child, seriously? Almost every girl I know was babysitting other kids or helping with her own siblings by 12. Also have you ever priced overnight daycare/babysitters before? Not something most single mothers could afford.
Gg says
12 is old enough to watch a child but I personally would not leave my 12 year old and three year old alone overnight. Many things can happen. Unfortunately one did and thankfully it wasn’t worse. Any sicko who noticed this young girl was alone overnight could’ve gotten to her. But maybe this mother had no one to watch them and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to work. I don’t think it is reason for her to be jailed but I sure hope she can find someone from now on. Poor kids.