from today's daily herald
A tale befitting Springer
Woman sentenced for leaving 3 kids home alone to go see show
By Christy Gutowski
Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer
Posted Friday, January 20, 2006
Shannon Cook went to “The Jerry Springer Show” to watch a program known for uncovering cheating spouses, penniless prostitutes, lesbian lovers and other shocking secrets.
But the Westmont woman’s own conduct Oct. 19 may have taken her out of the audience and straight to center stage.
Cook will begin serving a 30-day stint next month in the DuPage County jail for leaving her three children, all younger than 5, home alone while she went to a Springer taping.
The 25-year-old mother pleaded guilty earlier this week to misdemeanor endangering the life of a child. Although her criminal history is minor, involving mostly traffic offenses, DuPage Associate Judge Daniel Guerin cited the serious nature of the incident when meting out a jail term.
Police rushed to Cook’s apartment complex on Cass Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 after a neighbor called to report the children had knocked on her door. Authorities found the two girls and one boy had been left unattended.
“They were found in soiled diapers and were upset and scared,” Westmont detective James Schlicher said Thursday. “But they were otherwise unharmed with no signs of injuries.”
He said Cook and her boyfriend, Francisco Rojas, 22, left their apartment at 3 p.m. to head into Chicago for the taping of two shows. They had free tickets.
When the couple returned at 12:40 a.m., police officers were waiting.
They arrested Cook for the misdemeanor, as well as for an outstanding warrant alleging she failed to show up in court for a traffic offense.
Rojas was charged with obstructing justice for providing a false name. He also had outstanding warrants for earlier traffic and domestic violence arrests, police said.
Authorities said Cook was cooperative but initially lied and said a friend was supposed to watch them.
“She initially told police she left the kids with a baby sitter, but police interviewed the woman and found out that was not true,” prosecutor Joseph Ruggiero said. “That kind of conduct deserves that kind of punishment.”
Police contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The children were taken into protective custody and later placed in two foster homes.
Authorities had different ages for the children. DCFS said they are 9 months old, 3 and 5, but court records indicate all the children are younger than 3 years old.
Cook declined comment Thursday when contacted at her home. She must turn herself in Feb. 10. Her lawyer did not return phone calls this week.
i can't even begin to describe to you how funny that is
JERRY JERRY JERRY JERRY
Woman sentenced for leaving 3 kids home alone to go see show
By Christy Gutowski
Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer
Posted Friday, January 20, 2006
Shannon Cook went to “The Jerry Springer Show” to watch a program known for uncovering cheating spouses, penniless prostitutes, lesbian lovers and other shocking secrets.
But the Westmont woman’s own conduct Oct. 19 may have taken her out of the audience and straight to center stage.
Cook will begin serving a 30-day stint next month in the DuPage County jail for leaving her three children, all younger than 5, home alone while she went to a Springer taping.
The 25-year-old mother pleaded guilty earlier this week to misdemeanor endangering the life of a child. Although her criminal history is minor, involving mostly traffic offenses, DuPage Associate Judge Daniel Guerin cited the serious nature of the incident when meting out a jail term.
Police rushed to Cook’s apartment complex on Cass Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 after a neighbor called to report the children had knocked on her door. Authorities found the two girls and one boy had been left unattended.
“They were found in soiled diapers and were upset and scared,” Westmont detective James Schlicher said Thursday. “But they were otherwise unharmed with no signs of injuries.”
He said Cook and her boyfriend, Francisco Rojas, 22, left their apartment at 3 p.m. to head into Chicago for the taping of two shows. They had free tickets.
When the couple returned at 12:40 a.m., police officers were waiting.
They arrested Cook for the misdemeanor, as well as for an outstanding warrant alleging she failed to show up in court for a traffic offense.
Rojas was charged with obstructing justice for providing a false name. He also had outstanding warrants for earlier traffic and domestic violence arrests, police said.
Authorities said Cook was cooperative but initially lied and said a friend was supposed to watch them.
“She initially told police she left the kids with a baby sitter, but police interviewed the woman and found out that was not true,” prosecutor Joseph Ruggiero said. “That kind of conduct deserves that kind of punishment.”
Police contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The children were taken into protective custody and later placed in two foster homes.
Authorities had different ages for the children. DCFS said they are 9 months old, 3 and 5, but court records indicate all the children are younger than 3 years old.
Cook declined comment Thursday when contacted at her home. She must turn herself in Feb. 10. Her lawyer did not return phone calls this week.
i can't even begin to describe to you how funny that is
JERRY JERRY JERRY JERRY