Police: Waterloo woman left 2-month-old alone in car while she smoked meth in gas station restroom

Isaac Hamlet | Iowa City Press-Citizen

A Waterloo woman was charged with child endangerment after police say she left a 2-month-old child alone in a car for 30 to 45 minutes outside a Casey's store in North Liberty.

Kalyn Narese Sharp, 23, was arrested Saturday after employees at Casey's, 595 N. Kansas Ave., called police around 10:30 p.m.

By the time police arrived, Sharp had returned to the vehicle. When confronted, Sharp reportedly told police that she had smoked methamphetamine while in the gas station restroom.

The car engine was not running during the time Sharp left the child unattended, according to a police report. It was around 53 degrees in North Liberty at the time, according to the National Weather Service.

Sharp is listed as "the mother and sole provider" of the child in the police report. The Press-Citizen was unable to confirm the custody status of Sharp’s child before press time.

Sharp was charged with child endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on bond Sunday morning.