Evansville Police arrested 19 year old Dakita Darrett on Child Neglect and Criminal Recklessness charges during a family dispute call on Tuesday evening.
Officers were called to 15 S. Bedford around 7:30pm because Darrett was arguing with her mother. Darrett was upset about some missing marijuana and had confronted her mother. During the confrontation, Darrett said she was going to leave the house with her 2 year old son. Her mother objected due to the extreme cold weather.
While officers where in the house, a pit bull had been placed in his cage. The dog was excited and barking loudly due to the presence of the officers. An occupant of the home had covered the cage with a dark blanket in an effort o to calm the dog.Â
While officers were on scene, Darrett ignored them and refused to cooperate. She then took her 2 year old outside into the 19 degree weather and left him unattended while she went back into the house. Officers told Darrett her son was alone outside, but she ignored them. Officers then went out and retrieved the 2 year old.Â
When officers brought her 2 year old back into the house, Darrett intentionally released the dog from the cage. The dog went straight for an officer and bit him on the forearm.Â
Darrett was placed into custody for child neglect and criminal recklessness. During the incident, Darrett was on her cellphone and was indifferent to the danger her child was in or the harm the dog caused when she let him out of the cage.
