Brownsville man charged after leaving toddlers home alone, authorities say

BROWNSIVLLE, Ky. – A Brownsville man is facing charges after authorities say he left three toddlers home alone on Saturday.

According to a uniform citation, the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office responded Saturday around 11:17 p.m. to the 100 block of Morgantown Road for a complaint.

Deputies say the caller stated Marquise Cornelius, 28, of Brownsville had left three children at the residence by themselves. The caller stated the children were ages 4, 2 and 1.

According to the citation, upon returning home from work, the caller found the children had been left alone and that the children had eaten raw chicken.

Deputies say they called Cornelius, and he stated “he had left the children at home unsupervised.” He stated the “neighbors updstairs” were home if the children needed anything, the citation says.

The citation further states the children were left with no food and no phone available.

Deputies say the children only could get in contact with the upstairs neighbor if they went outside to reach the front door.

The citation also states the neighbors were not aware the children were home alone.

Deputies say it is believed the children were “in extreme danger due to not being able to care for themselves nor each other.”

Cornelius was arrested Sunday and is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, abandonment of minor and second-degree wanton endangerment.

He remains at the Hart County Detention Center.