Toddlers found wandering roadside in the rain; mother charged

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By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Mar 10, 2009 at 12:27 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM EDT

REMSEN, N.Y. (WKTV) - Two partially-clothed toddlers found wandering, shivering, in the rain Monday morning were returned to their mother after police discovered the woman, who worked late the night before, was sleeping and had no idea the children had left the home.

A good Samaritan found the sisters walking on Main Street in Remsen around 9 a.m. Monday morning. The three-year-old was wearing boots, a towel and her underwear. The five-year-old was wearing boots, pants and a shirt. The woman, a Main Street resident, gave the children warm clothing and breakfast.

The children's mother, Elizabeth Paligo, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Oneida County Sheriff Daniel Middaugh says he has no doubt there was no malice on the mother's part.

"The kids were out in the rain all by themselves ; thank God nobody came along and picked them up and I'm sure that this wasn't done maliciously by the mother but it's still the responsibility of the parent to take care of your children," says Middaugh.

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