More details are emerging on the case of the woman abandoning her 12 year old niece for two weeks in the Town of Union.
The woman left her niece in the care of a 17 year old cousin, when the woman, Lorraine Kelsh, took a job as a nurse’s aid in Syracuse.
The 17 year old left the apartment shortly after, leaving the young girl and her small dog, Precious, to fend for themselves.
The girl, while hungry, was not malnourished.
She had been asking neighbors for food.
Several neighbors are now wondering if they shouldn’t have realized there was a problem sooner.
The 12 year old attended Jennie F. Snapp Middle School in the Union-Endicott School District.
She attended school for most of the last two weeks.
The 17 year old cousin attended Union-Endicott High School.
Investigators are still piecing together the full timeline of events.
Meanwhile, Kelsh has been charged with felony Abandonment of a Child and misdemeanor Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Kelsh has taken care of the girl for years. Her mother lives in Florida and her father in Puerto Rico.
The 12 year old was not injured and was taken into the custody of Broome County Child Protective Services.
She has been traumatized, deputies say.
Precious is at the Broome County Humane Society, where she will be cared for as long as needed.
Kelsh was taken into custody after being contacted by deputies.
She was arraigned in the Town of Union Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
