A neighbor alerted police to what could have been a tragic situation, a nine-month-old baby and a three-year-old left home alone.
Police say 24-year-old Takeeia Hawkins left both of her children by themselves in her Craven Terrace apartment over the weekend. A neighbor called 9-1-1 to report what she had done. When New Bern officers arrived they say they found drugs and a stolen hand gun.
Hawkins children were placed in the custody of their grandparents. But social services says in situations like this, that doesn't mean the kids are automatically permanently removed from the home.
Officials say in instances where a mother has some drug issues, they would help her in terms of getting substance abuse assessment, and helping her coordinate any treatment that she might need, working towards initially trying to get those children placed back home with their parents.
