Dad arrested at Eagan hotel after 4-year-old found roaming alone
After a 4-year-old girl went wandering through an Eagan hotel in the middle of the night, her father was arrested and charged with child neglect and drug possession charges.
The girl and her 1-year-old brother were taken to foster care after the incident early Monday morning at the Extended Stay Hotel in Eagan, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
According to the criminal complaint, an employee of the hotel found the girl, alone and crying at the front desk, at about 1:30 a.m. Another guest recognized the child and they took her to the father's hotel room, KSTP reports.
After knocking on the door and getting no answer, the employee unlocked the door and found the father, Michael Alexander, 39, of Elgin, Minn., asleep on the bed, with the 1-year-old sleeping on the floor.
The employee woke the man, returned the 4-year-old and then flagged down an Eagan police officer who was on patrol outside.
According to the complaint, the officer had difficulty rousing Alexander and determined he was under the influence of drugs. Both children were wearing diapers that were soiled, according to KSTP.
The officer found two pipes and traces of methamphetamine in the room, as well as $2,500 in cash, the Pioneer Press reports.
Alexander has been charged in Dakota County with a felony drug possession charge and gross misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and neglect.
