An Adel woman was arrested Thursday morning after her twin 2-year-olds were found running naked along U.S. Highway 6 in Adel.
Jasmine Cheyenne Teed, 18, was booked into Dallas County Jail on a charge of child endangerment causing injury after her “two young, unclothed children” were found “running close to Highway 6,” according to a statement released Friday by the Adel Police Department.
The Adel Police Department received a report of the children about 9 a.m. Thursday. An officer responded to the apartment house at 708 Greene St., near the corner of U.S. Highway 169 and U.S. Highway 6, but “was unable to locate the children upon arrival,” according to the police statement.
“Another resident of 708 Greene Street heard a vehicle horn and looked towards the highway and witnessed the children running,” the police statement said. “He then assisted in getting the children back to their apartment.”
The officer made contact with Teed, who sleeping in a bedroom of the apartment and unaware her twin boys were outside the residence.
The Adel Police Department notified the Iowa Department of Human Services and made a referral, according to Adel Police Chief Gordy Shephard.
“DHS intake told me this morning the case had been accepted and an investigator was assigned,” Shephard said Friday. “We have a great working relationship with our local DHS officials and will be assisting them any way we can to make sure these children are kept safe.”
Shephard said he was glad the incident did not end in tragedy.
“After hearing from the witnesses, it was very clear the potential for a tragic outcome was there,” he said. “Four lanes of heavy traffic on Highway 6, only feet away from a bustling Highway 6/169 intersection — we are fortunate there were no injuries.”
Shepherd said the case will be referred to the Dallas County Attorney’s office for prosecution.
Teed is being held at the Dallas County jail on $2,000 bond The twin boys and another child from the apartment were placed with Teed’s mother and grandmother, Shepard said.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
