A Missouri woman has been charged after investigators alleged she left her three young children home alone for more than 24 hours while she was away celebrating her birthday, leading to a disturbing discovery that began with a neighbor hearing a child repeatedly banging against a wall.
Courtney Lynn Box, 29, is facing three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, creating substantial risk, and one count of abuse or neglect of a child, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
Jail records show Box was arrested on Saturday and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Neighbor Alerted Police After Hours of Disturbing Sounds
The investigation began on January 10, when officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a welfare check at approximately 10:50 a.m.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a concerned neighbor called 911 after hearing loud banging noises and what sounded like a small child for nearly seven consecutive hours.
The caller told dispatchers she had seen a woman move into the apartment the previous day with a baby but noticed there was no vehicle parked in the assigned parking space. She also said she knocked on the apartment door but received no response.
When officers arrived, they reported hearing the same persistent banging coming from inside the residence.
Firefighters Entered Through a Window
Unable to see inside the apartment, officers requested assistance from the Springfield Fire Department.
Firefighters positioned a ladder outside the apartment so authorities could look through a window.
According to investigators, they saw a small child sitting at the top of a staircase repeatedly banging his head against a wall.
Believing the children were in immediate danger, firefighters entered the apartment through an unlocked kitchen window.
Three Babies Found Alone Inside an Apartment
Inside the residence, emergency responders discovered three young children who had allegedly been left without adult supervision:
- Twin children, approximately 1 year old
- A 3-month-old infant
Authorities described the apartment as having very little furniture.
One toddler remained at the top of the stairs, the second twin was found on the lower level of the duplex, and the infant was sitting alone in a baby bouncer.
Children Were Found Hungry and in Soiled Diapers
According to investigators, all three children were wearing diapers that were heavily soiled, with urine and feces leaking from the sides.
After changing the diapers, responders discovered each child suffered from severe diaper rash.
The toddler who had been banging his head against the wall was found with a head injury and swelling around one eye.
Authorities also provided the children with drinks and pieces of bread. According to the affidavit, the children consumed the food and water quickly, leading officers to believe they had been extremely hungry.
The children were later transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
Drug-Related Items Allegedly Found in Apartment
While searching the residence, investigators reported finding a small plastic bag containing crystal-like residue placed on top of baby formula in the kitchen.
A bong was also reportedly found nearby.
Authorities later confirmed that the apartment belonged to Box and that she was the mother of all three children.
Mother Claimed She Was Shopping for Her Birthday
Investigators were initially unable to reach Box.
A child services investigator later contacted her, and according to court documents, she claimed she had been shopping for her birthday and believed another person was caring for the children during her absence.
However, investigators said evidence indicated she had been away significantly longer than she claimed.
Cellphone Investigation Raised Additional Concerns
Authorities obtained a search warrant for Box’s cellphone.
According to investigators, phone records showed she remained active on her cellphone throughout the more than 24-hour period during which the children were allegedly left alone.
Investigators also found messages allegedly discussing drug use and arranging sexual activity with a man in exchange for $150 the day before the children were discovered.
Court documents further state that after learning the children had been placed into protective custody, Box searched online for the term “child endangerment.”
Messages Allegedly Admitted She Failed Her Children
Investigators also reviewed messages Box allegedly sent after authorities removed the children from the apartment.
According to the affidavit, she claimed someone she trusted had agreed to watch the children but left them alone while she was out celebrating her birthday.
She also allegedly acknowledged that child protective authorities had taken custody of the children and that she was being asked to undergo drug testing.
In another message cited by investigators, Box reportedly admitted that she had failed her children while expressing frustration that the person she blamed for watching them could no longer be reached.
Medical Evaluation Found Signs of Child Maltreatment
Medical personnel continued treating the children after they were taken to the hospital.
Although the children were too young to speak with investigators, authorities reported that all three displayed medical conditions and behaviors consistent with child maltreatment.
Investigators also noted that the apartment lacked adequate safety precautions, allowing one toddler to climb to the top of the stairs, where he could have fallen and suffered even more serious injuries.
Authorities said the repeated banging against the wall was loud enough to wake a neighbor, whose decision to call 911 likely prevented a more serious tragedy.
Investigators also emphasized that the youngest infant faced a significant risk because going without proper nutrition for an extended period could have become life-threatening.
Court Hearing Scheduled
According to investigators, Box knowingly left her children unattended in unsafe living conditions while engaging in other activities away from the apartment.
She is scheduled to appear in court on July 29, where she will face multiple felony child endangerment and neglect charges.
