You find the story immediately unsettling: a 5-year-old used a lesson about emergency calls to contact police after his mother left him and his two younger siblings alone. Police arrested 22-year-old Tyliah Andrews on multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a minor after officers found the children unsupervised and living in unsanitary conditions.
The article will walk through what happened at the home, how authorities responded, and the charges and custody outcomes that followed. Expect clear, factual details about the incident, the statements officials reported, and what this case might mean for community safety and parental responsibility.
Details of the Incident
Officers responding to a residence on N. Caraway Road found three young children alone after 911 calls brought police to the scene. The account includes the call times, what officers encountered at the door, and statements attributed to Tyliah Andrews.
Timeline of Events on N. Caraway Road
Police received the first 911 call at 5:23 a.m. and were dispatched to the N. Caraway Road address in Jonesboro. While officers were en route, dispatchers received a second call from the same house that indicated the parents were “gone.”
When officers arrived the front door was locked and they could hear cartoons playing and a young child making noises inside. After attempts to get the door opened, an officer entered through an unsecured back door.
Inside, officers located a 1‑year‑old, a 2‑year‑old and a 5‑year‑old. The 1‑year‑old briefly peeked through the blinds but could not open the door. Officers then contacted the Arkansas Department of Human Services to assume custody of the children.
How the 911 Calls Unfolded
The phone inside the house had multiple 911 calls, with activity beginning around 3:00 a.m., according to the arrest report obtained by NEA Report. One call to 911 at 5:23 a.m. came from a child who told dispatchers his parents were not at home.
While police were on the way they received an additional call from the same address, prompting officers to prioritize the response. Investigators later identified a nearby phone as the device that placed several of the emergency calls.
A 5‑year‑old later told officers he had been taught how to call 911 if he needed help, and he made calls when he could not find his mother.
Discovery of the Children Alone at Home
Officers found the children in separate areas of the house: the 1‑year‑old on the living room couch eating spilled popcorn, the 2‑year‑old and the 5‑year‑old in another room. The scene included visible signs of neglect: vomit on the kitchen floor, live roaches, garbage throughout the home and a sink full of dirty dishes.
Police located contact information for Andrews’ grandmother and called her; she provided a number for Tyliah Andrews. Andrews told officers her 14‑year‑old nephew was supposed to be watching the children and that she was about 15 minutes away at another apartment complex.
Investigators later determined the nephew was not present and that Andrews was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor; the children were placed with their grandmother. For the arrest details, see the Law&Crime coverage and the NEA Report referenced in the official arrest report.
Aftermath, Charges, and State Response
Police arrested Tyliah Andrews at the scene and booked her into Craighead County Jail. Authorities placed the three children into state care and opened an investigation into the home’s conditions and the circumstances that led the oldest child to call 911.
Charges Filed Against Tyliah Andrews
Andrews faces a charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, a criminal count tied to leaving children unsupervised in a way that risks their safety. Law enforcement recorded the arrest at Craighead County Jail, where booking paperwork listed the charge and custody status.
Officials set bond at $5,000 according to arrest records, allowing for potential release if Andrews meets bond conditions. Prosecutors will review the case and decide whether to pursue additional charges depending on investigative findings and any prior history revealed in court filings.
Conditions of the Home and State Custody
Officers reported the children were found alone when the oldest called 911, prompting immediate welfare checks. Investigators documented the home’s condition during the response; those findings will inform both criminal prosecution and child welfare decisions.
After the arrest, the Arkansas Department of Human Services took temporary custody of the three children. DHS placed them in a protective setting while assessing safety needs and family options, including kinship placement or foster care if reunification is not immediately feasible.
Role of the Arkansas Department of Human Services
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) leads the child-protective response, conducting safety assessments and coordinating temporary placements. DHS also gathers records about the family’s history, any prior reports, and the home environment to determine the appropriate next steps.
DHS works with law enforcement and the county prosecutor to share findings that could affect charging or custody outcomes. The agency schedules caseworkers to manage reunification plans, services referrals, and court hearings while the criminal case proceeds.
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