Woman Left On Trip To Europe, Leaving 4 Young Kids At Home: Police

JOHNSTON, IA — An Iowa woman left her four young children alone at home while she left the country to go to Europe, police said.

The woman, identified as 30-year-old Johnston, Iowa resident Erin Lee Macke, was charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under the age of 21.

Police were called to the woman's residence on Sept. 21 to conduct a welfare check after receiving a report that the children had been left alone. Police say they found the children, aged 12, 12, 7 and 6, alone in the home.

Macke had left the country on Sept. 20 for Germany and was not scheduled to return home till Oct. 1.

Johnston Police Department Lt. Lynn Aswegan told People Macke was in Germany visiting a brother and a niece and “[by] all indications it was a social venture.” Aswegan also told the magazine that Macke felt comfortable that the kids were responsible enough to take care of themselves.

A gun and ammunition that was not properly secured was found on Macke's bedroom shelf, People reported.

Police say that while Macke was out of the country, she made no arrangements to provide supervision or care for the children. Police called Macke in Germany and she returned home on Thursday when she was taken into custody.

Her children have been temporarily placed in the care of extended family members.

Image via Polk County Jail