Man accused of leaving toddler, baby alone

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) — A 23-year-old North Liberty man has been accused of leaving alone a 2-year-old girl and her baby brother when he went to find their mother.

The Gazette says a witness reported seeing the little girl roaming a hallway of their apartment on Tuesday morning.

Jequan Scales acknowledged to officers that he was the children’s caretaker. He says he left the children for no more than 10 minutes while he looked for their mother.

Scales was taken to Johnson County Jail, pending bail of $2,500. Online court records don’t list the name of his attorney.