Florence, Ala. | Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Mother who reportedly left children alone remains in jail on $200,000 bail
By Tom Smith Senior Staff Writer
Sarah Leeann Cline

TUSCUMBIA -- A Sheffield woman charged with willful abuse after her two children were found in urine-soiled diapers alone in an apartment earlier this week is still in jail, with ball set at $200,000, authorities said.

Warrants were issued for Sarah Leeann Cline, 23, Apt. 702, Colbert Square Apartments, Sheffield, on Wednesday on two counts of willful abuse of a child, Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray said.

The children, who were taken to Helen Keller Hospital for medical treatment, have been released from the hospital and are in custody of the Colbert County Department of Human Resources.

Police found Cline’s 20-month-old son sitting in a car seat placed on the floor of the apartment unit and her 7-month-old girl lying on her back in her baby bed. The girl was covered from head to toe with a blanket, police said.

Officers reported both children appeared to be malnourished or dehydrated. Officers said the baby’s eyes were matted closed and she was unresponsive. Ray said the officers reported the two children appeared listless and weak.

Officers said the children were in diapers soaked in urine. They said the baby’s diaper appeared to weigh more than she did and urine was pooled in the seat of the car seat where the boy was sitting.

Authorities believe the children were alone in the apartment for at least 30 minutes.

Willful abuse of a child is a Class C felony and punishable by 1-10 years in jail, if convicted.

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