Iowa mom who left kids alone during trip to Germany may avoid prison sentence

A Johnston mom who was arrested after she left her four kids home alone while she went on a trip to Germany could avoid the possibility of a prison sentence under a plea deal from prosecutors.

Erin Lee Macke, 31, was charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of making a firearm available to a person under the age of 21 after Johnston police were called to her home on Sept. 21, 2017.

When officers arrived, they found Macke's children. Two of the kids are 12, while the others are 6 and 7.

Upon further investigation, police learned Macke left the country on Sept. 20 and was not scheduled to return until Oct. 1. She made no arrangements to provide supervision of the children while she was away, according to police.

The Iowa Department of Human Services took custody of the kids. Police called Macke while she was in Germany and demanded she return home.

According to the offer, if Macke pleads guilty to four counts of child endangerment, the state may drop the firearm charge and give her deferred judgment.

A protection order is currently in place regarding Macke's contact with her children. She is allowed phone calls with them under supervision, according to court documents.

The plea hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23 at the Polk County Courthouse.