By 3 News online staff
A Masterton mother has been charged with neglect of a child after leaving her three-year-old home alone on Friday night.
The young girl was found by a member of the public wandering down Opaki Rd shortly after midnight. Police were called, and the toddler showed them where she lived.
"When staff visited the address, no one was home," says Acting Snr Sgt Rob Rackliff, "however the toddler's mother was located soon after, walking down the street, very upset, looking for the young child."
She had gone to visit friends nearby, expecting it to only be a short visit, but ended up staying for two hours.
"The young child upon waking up and not finding anyone at the address had pushed a highchair up against the back door, unlatched it and wandered off down the street looking for her mother," says Mr Rackliff.
The girl has been placed in care of family members, and police are working with Child, Youth and Family to her safety and wellbeing.
The mother will appear in court later this week, charged with neglect of a child.
3 News