Crime & Safety

Babysitter Charged Again: 3-Year-Old Found on Route 14

The 3-year-old boy wandered nearly one mile down Route 14 in unincorporated Woodstock before a good Samaritan stopped to help. Second offense for babysitter.

A Woodstock woman has been charged with child endangerment after a 3-year-old boy in her care left the backyard and wandered down Route 14 in rural Woodstock. 

Police said Annette T. Zender, 53, of the 15000 block of Route 14 in Woodstock, was babysitting the boy when he left her yard at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. 

A good Samaritan contacted police after spotting the toddler walking on Route 14 near Marawood Road in unincorporated Woodstock. The good Samaritan waited with the boy until deputies arrived, according to the news release. 

Zender told police she left the little boy outside for a moment to get him a drink. When she came back outside he was gone. The child was located .7 miles down Route 14 from Zender’s residence when the sheriff’s office was notified.

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The parents of the juvenile were notified and took custody of their child. Deputies also notified the Department of Children and Family Services about the incident.

A $1,500 bond has been set for Zender. She is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 18. 

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The Northwest Herald is reporting Zender was arrested in April and charged with four child counts of child endangerment. In that incident, a 5-year-old boy in her care ran into a tree and suffered a concussion. Zender failed to get the child medical attention after the incident, the story states. 

Zender plead guilty to running an unlicensed day care. She was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $500, the Herald reports. 

Tips For Finding Child Care Assistance

When looking for child care assistance, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office recommends asking trusted family and friends for referrals. Advertisements online and in the newspaper can be misleading. 

Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) is a free online resource that provides information about child care in McHenry County and surrounding areas. 4-C provides information and referrals on providers, tips on what to look for in your research, and information on financial assistance. 

More information on 4-C can be found at http://www.four-c.org/or (815)758-8149. 


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