Muncie residents face neglect charges after child found walking in cold

MUNCIE, Ind. — Two Muncie residents face felony charges over an April incident that saw a child walk away from his father's home.

Joshua Allen Erwin, 34, and Amanda M. Cosman, 39, were charged this week in Delaware Circuit Court 2 with neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison.

According to a Muncie Police Department report, Erwin's son — described as a "young juvenile" — was found walking, shirtless and wearing shorts and sandals, in the 1900 block of South Burlington Drive on April 9.

The temperature in Muncie that day was reported to be in the high 30s.

Officers took the boy into a convenience store in an attempt to keep him warm, and eventually reached the child's mother.

More: Muncie woman charged with neglect in 'catastrophic' dog attack

She reported she had left her son in the care of Erwin, the child's father, because she had to work an overnight shift.

The mother said the child had fled from Erwin's home before, but she believed she had resolved that issue by providing Erwin with child-proof locks.

A police officer went to Erwin's home, along South Manville Road, and found the front door open.

Cosman — who also lived at the home — told the officer she hadn't been feeling well and was sleeping.

She said Erwin — who police noted was already the target of an arrest warrant — was at work.

Initial hearings in their cases are set for Sept. 29.

When this week's charge was filed Erwin already faced seven charges in pending local court cases — two counts each of dealing in meth and carrying a handgun without a license, and possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance and driving while suspended.

He also faces another neglect count that stems from an April 17 incident that saw a child in his care struck by a truck while riding a bicycle.

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Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.