Borough couple charged with leaving daughter home alone

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NAUGATUCK — A borough couple is facing risk of injury charges after police said they left their 5-year-old daughter home alone.

Diana Tackie, 34, and Ezekiel Alamu, 38, both of 36 Wisteria Drive were arrested and charged with risk of injury to a child on May 18.

Police said officers were dispatched to the home shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday after they received a report from a borough school that a child was left home alone.

The incident came to the school’s attention after the 5-year-old’s 10-year-old sister asked school officials to call home and tell her mother about an early dismissal.

When school officials called the house, police said, the 5-year-old picked up the phone and said she was home by herself.

According to a police report, Tackie, who works the night shift, told police she left work at 7 a.m. and went directly to Bridgeport for a court appearance. Police said Tackie called home on her way to Bridgeport and learned that the older girl was going to school and that the 5-year-old would be left alone, but continued to court.

According to a police report, Alamu told police he was late for work in New York City and left the children sleeping at home. Alamu told police he thought Tackie would be home. But, police said, Tackie told them Alamu knew about her court appearance.

Tackie and Alamu were released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and were scheduled to appear in court today. The Department of Children and Families was contacted and is investigating the incident, police said.