Abandoning 5 children and 3 dogs
Hammond, IN (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 5, 1995
County: Lake

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Karen Dowhen

Child Protective Services removed 5 children, ages 2 through 14 from 3251 175th Place after neighbors complained a boy had been injured while the children had been left home alone.  The mother had left the home at about 1pm the day before and did not return until after 1am the next day.

When the children were taken from Dowhen's home, she walked away and left 3 dogs behind.  The neighbors complained of the stink as the dogs defecated on the floors and the garbage began to rot on the back porch.  The Health Department's report showed the house was unsanitary.

References

• Northwest Indiana News

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