A Pittsburg County woman was arrested this weekend after authorities say she allegedly abandoned her 6-year-old son in subzero temperatures inside a deteriorating camper with no food, water, or adult supervision.
Jolene Cooperrider, 28, allegedly left the minor child alone for several days while she attended a party, according to a sheriff’s affidavit. The Department of Human Services has since taken the child into protective custody.
Investigators say Cooperrider left the child in the care of Drew Allen, a man known to local law enforcement for substance abuse and mental health concerns. Allen, in turn, reportedly left the child alone in a fifth-wheel camper with no running water, a broken door covered by a blanket, and part of the roof patched with a tarp.
At the time, outdoor temperatures had fallen below zero, according to the affidavit.
The child told staff he had been left with only his two dogs and had to sleep on the floor. He said he received little to no food during the day and described eating only chicken nuggets at night. “At least I got anything,” the child reportedly said.
The child said he had been grounded for walking up the road to visit a friend, and during that time, he was denied meals during the day.
Neighbors told investigators the child frequently showed up at their homes dirty, hungry, and in need of food or a restroom. A nearby resident and teacher said she often provided leftovers, snacks, and juice to the child.
Another neighbor told deputies that the child once walked to his grandparents’ house in the snow at 2 a.m. after realizing Cooperrider was missing. She recalled seeing the child crying and trying to get into a truck with his mother, who allegedly threw him back into the snow before allowing him inside only when others began watching.
Cooperrider is currently being held over on a $100,000 bond.