Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake City police arrested two men after a toddler was found alone in what officers describe as disturbing conditions.
She was crying and disheveled, covered in filth from head to toe, and reeked of alcohol.
–Detective Dennis McGowan, SLCPD
The 19-month-old girl had been locked in a house alone for an unknown amount of time. Police say it appears the child was left in the custody of the mother's boyfriend and his father, who knowingly left the child alone at the house.
Jeff Chandler lives in the neighborhood and says he can't believe this happened.
"To me, that's pretty bad," Chandler said. "My daughter's that age, and I just don't understand how you would do something like that."
Police were called to the house near 600 South and 500 East on Monday evening by the toddler's aunt and grandmother. Apparently, the mother of the toddler had called them to tell them where she had left the child earlier that day.
Concerned, the aunt and grandmother went to the house to pick the girl up, only to find the doors were locked and the lights off. They heard the girl crying, so they opened a window to get inside.
"She was filthy. I mean, she had stuff all over her face, dirt; she smelled like alcohol, which is probably what officers said she was drinking because that was the only thing there was," said Rebecca Jerz, the little girl's aunt.
Jerz is 19-month-old Riley's mother's sister. She says she also saw marijuana on the table, razors within reach, beer cans everywhere and dog food all over the floor.
When police arrived, they documented finding the child in poor health condition, with what appeared to be fecal matter on her face.
Police say later that night, the mother's boyfriend, 25-year-old Ryan Vestal, and his father, 49-year-old Michael Vestal, returned to the house. They were both arrested -- Ryan for child endangerment and criminal mischief; Michael for child endangerment and drug paraphernalia.
Jerz still can't believe her sister left Riley with the men.
"As soon as [Riley] heard my voice, she started crying, and she was very panicky. She saw my face in the window and ran to me," Jerz says. "It looked like they were having a party, like they were having a party and everyone left but Riley."
Police are still investigating the mother of the child. They say she could possibly face charges as well.
Meanwhile, Riley has been placed in the custody of other family members.
-----
Story compiled with contributions from Nicole Gonzales, Shara Park and Andrew Adams.
