An Ohio mother is facing serious charges after police discovered she left her three children home alone for nearly three days while she traveled to Florida to accompany a friend for liposuction surgery. Domonique Knowles, 32, is now at the center of a child endangerment case, which could result in jail time after a judge ruled that her actions put her children in significant danger.

Knowles, who has four children, left her 10-year-old son in charge of his two 7-year-old twin sisters, both of whom have special needs. She took her 8-month-old son with her to Florida but neglected to ensure the safety of her other children. During her absence, she checked in with them only sporadically, using FaceTime on a laptop and monitoring the home’s security cameras. However, there was no adult supervision, and the children were left without even a phone to contact anyone in case of emergency.

The situation came to light when the 10-year-old boy confided in his fourth-grade teacher, telling her that his mother had ordered them food through Uber Eats and was communicating with them remotely. Alarmed by the details, the teacher made a call to the police, requesting a welfare check.

When officers arrived at the family’s apartment, they found the home in disarray, with liquids spilled across the floor. One of the twin girls slipped and fell while police were present, further highlighting the unsafe conditions the children were living in. The police were able to contact the children’s grandmother, who was unaware of Knowles’ trip or that the children had been left alone. Prosecutors noted that Knowles had lied to her own mother about the situation, even though there were adults available who could have stepped in to help.

Initially, Knowles denied leaving the state, but police were able to prove that she had spent two nights in Miami. Surveillance footage and flight records showed her departing from Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport and arriving in Miami, leading her to change her story. She eventually admitted that she was in Florida to support a friend undergoing liposuction surgery, but her excuses did little to soften the blow of the evidence against her.

Prosecuting attorney Michael Maloney expressed his outrage, calling the situation “horrifying.” He criticized Knowles for her lack of genuine concern and involvement in her children’s care while she was away. “Remote work is one thing; remote mom is another,” Maloney said. “The girls made it clear that she wasn’t really checking in.”

One of the most alarming aspects of the case was that a patio door in the home was found unlocked, creating the potential for the children to wander off unsupervised. Given the twin girls’ special needs, the risk of them leaving the apartment unnoticed could have led to far worse outcomes, including abduction or accidents.

Knowles was ultimately found guilty of child endangerment and is now awaiting sentencing. She could face up to six months in jail. The case has not only raised concerns about her parenting but also underscores the importance of ensuring that vulnerable children are not left in unsafe situations.

Maloney made it clear that this situation was preventable, stating, “There were adults available to help, and she didn’t even bother to ask.” Knowles will be sentenced on Wednesday, and the outcome of the case could set a significant precedent for similar situations in the future.