CASEYVILLE, Il. (KMOX) -- A Columbia, Missouri couple is charged with leaving their small children in a running van while they slept in a Metro East motel.
The arrests were made in Caseyville, Illinois. Police Officer Steve Epps says it started when police got a call from someone at the Days Inn at I-64 and Rt. 157.
The caller reported someone had left a van running in the motel parking lot. When police arrived they found two boys, a seven month old and a two year old, in the van, unattended.
The parents identified as 29 year old Benjamin Atkins and 28 year old Jaymie Bowling were found in a motel room.
Atkins was reportedly confused when he confronted police and told them that he and Bowling were recovering drug addicts and that she was a nightclub dancer and had worked all night.
Both were charged with child endangerment and released.
The children were taken into protective custody by the Department of Children and Family Services.
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