Mother charged in endangerment incident
A Valencia mother was charged after police say she overdosed and endangered her 5-year-old child in January.
Christine R. Banfield, 29, of Valencia, was charged Wednesday after an investigation by Middlesex Township police into an incident in the 100 block of Kelly Street, Valencia, at 5 p.m. Jan. 12.
Police charged Banfield with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children after officers say Banfield was intoxicated to the extent that she passed out and left an exposed syringe where her 5-year-old son could have gotten it.
Middlesex Township Sgt. Randy Ruediger said Butler County Children and Youth Services was consulted during the investigation and was aware of the incident, but did not have any information regarding custody of the child.
Banfield was charged by summons on Feb. 21. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 18 before Magisterial District Judge Sue Haggerty.
To learn more about this case, read the Butler Eagle.