Scottie White
Aelisa StacySHELBYVILLE, Tenn. -
Authorities in Bedford County charged two mothers with filling a false report after police said they left seven children home alone while they went to a bar and later lied about it.
A third mother was with Scottie White, 26, and Aelisa Stacy, 26, at the Pop-a-Top on Madison Street in Shelbyville but didn't realize the children were left alone and wasn't charged, according to police.
The children, a four-month-old, three 5-year-old boys, a 6-year-old girl, 8-year-old girl and 9-year-old girl, were left by themselves at White's apartment located at 609 Landers Street Saturday night.
A neighbor called police after noticing chaos at the apartment.
Rachel Teeter told Nashville's News 2 seh went upstairs to the apartment to ask the neighbors to quiet down when she discovered the children unsupervised.
"I found that there are no adults," Teeter said.
Teeter said she stayed with the children while her mother called police.
"Being a certified babysitter, you know that that's very unacceptable to leave children of that age at home, let alone a sick four month old baby," she said.
The children told responding officers their mothers were at the bar.
Further investigation revealed the younger children were left in the care of the eight and nine year old after their parents dropped them off at White's apartment to spend the night earlier in the evening
The elder girls' parents told investigators they didn't know the children were going to be left home alone and were also not charged.
During an interview with detectives, White and Stacy reported they left the children with an adult while they briefly walked to a nearby store to get diapers.
The third mother admitted the truth and White, who is four or five months pregnant, and Stacy were each charged with filling a false report.
They were booked into the Coffee County jail and have since been released on bond.
Nashville's News 2 spoke with White on Tuesday at her Bedford County apartment regarding the incident.
"I was putting myself before my son, but I am sorry for doing that. I really do love him and care about him and I want to get him back," she said.
White continued, "I know I am a good mom and every mom makes bad decisions and I made a really bad one and I am sorry for doing it, but I mean if I could take it back I would, but I can't. I have to take one day at a time and hopefully not make anymore bad decisions and get my son back."
White also confirmed that she is expecting a child later this year, but said she believes it is ok for a pregnant woman to go to a bar.
"I don't see no problem with it as long as you don't drink and I didn't drink [any] alcohol. I just go to hang out with my friends and have a good time," she said.
The young mother said this was her first time being involved in this sort of incident and plans to stay away from bars and begin going to church.
The Tennessee Department of Children's Service is investigating while the children remain in the care of relatives.
Citations against the mothers are possible although authorities said criminal charges are not likely since none of the children were injured.
