JERSEY CITY, N.J. (WPIX)—
New Jersey police issued an arrest warrant for a Jersey City mom Wednesday, after finding her young children on the second-floor balcony alone and hungry - the youngest one completely naked - police said.Dashnay M. Beckwith, 24, is the mother of three boys, ages two, three and six. She has been charged with child cruelty, child abuse and the endangerment of the welfare of children, and according to Jersey City police, she is now a fugitive.
A school official who went to the Pamrapo Ave. residence to inquire about the 6-year-old who missed school more than 50 times this year, called police after finding the children home alone. Police arrived at the house at 2:14 p.m. to find all three boys sleeping on the balcony.
Beckwith reportedly contacted the Jersey Journal after a reporter published a story about her leaving the children unattended. According to Beckwith, she had a job interview and had no one to watch the children.
The house was unlocked, and police officers entered to find the children malnourished and poorly dressed. The refrigerator reportedly hadn't worked since January and there was nothing to eat or drink in the home, police said.
The boys told police they had instructions to tell those inquiring about their mother that she was in a back room sleeping.
The children were taken to Christ Hospital in Jersey City where they will be evaluated and then placed in the care of the state Division of Youth and Family Services.
Anyone with knowledge of Beckwith's whereabouts is asked to call the Jersey City police tip line at (201) 547-JAIL.
