Mother faces felony charges after 3-year-old daughter wanders away from home

Stephanie Brock

A Whitley County mother was arrested on New Year’s Eve after police say her three-year-old daughter wandered away and was found later by a neighbor and suffering from hypothermia.

Stephanie L. Brock, 28, of Rockholds, was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor following the incident.

According to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a residence on Mosley Branch in the Rockholds community at about 2:00 p.m. Dec. 31 regarding a missing toddler. According to the mother, Brock, her three-year-old daughter had disappeared from the house while she was asleep. The girl was found approximately four-tenths of a mile from the home by a neighbor. Police believe the toddler was missing for 60 to 90 minutes. After being located, the child was transported by Whitley County EMS to Baptist Health Corbin and was treated for minor scratches and hypothermia before being released.

Brock was arrested and charged following an investigation by deputies and social workers.

Brock’s daughter was released from the hospital into the custody of a family member.

An investigation into the case is ongoing.