Woman accused of leaving toddler alone said she 'was going to drink,' police say

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh woman accused of leaving her 2-year-old son home alone told police, “I was going to drink,” according to a criminal complaint.

Corinna Scheffer, 38, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was also found in possession of a crack pipe when police found her early last Thursday a few blocks from her home at the corner of Watson and Pride streets, police said.

Police initially went to the woman's Gist Street home to check on the toddler after a report that he had been left home alone. Police found no one in the home except the boy, who was sleeping in a crib. According to police documents, Scheffer said she left her son by himself so she could go get a drink.

Police documents show that Allegheny County Children Youth and Families had a recent file on Scheffer and were looking into her. The toddler is now in the care of CYF, officials said.

Neighbors said they knew the child was being left alone, and they tried to call authorities previously but nothing was ever done.

“She needs the help, and we were concerned about her also, but mostly (about) the child. It was constant traffic in and out of the house and on the streets,” said neighbor Bernie Dougherty. “She needs to get her life straightened out so she can get her baby back."

Scheffer waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday and will stand trial for the charges.

Cox Media Group