SOUTHFIELD - A 16-month old boy was left alone in an apartment in Southfield as his parents remained jailed on suspicion of fraud.
Police said they received a call just before 10 p.m. Wednesday telling them the child was home alone in an apartment located at 12 Mile and Franklin roads.
When officers arrived at the home, they found the child sleeping alone on a bed with a soiled diaper.
"Officers found an apple, partially eaten, next to him," said Lt. Nick Loussia.
Police said it appears the baby may have been home alone for 24 hours.
The baby was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
Upon investigating, police found the parents had been arrested in Macomb County Tuesday evening on identity theft, credit and computer fraud charges.
Sterling Heights police confirmed Danius Vysniauskas, 37, of Estonia and Tatsiana Leichanka, 25, or Russia were arrested on April 20 at the Chase Bank located at 5601 Metro Parkway.
Police said the two were running a "shell scam," by writing checks from one fake account and then depositing it into another account, they would then withdraw the money before either bank notices.
They were arraigned Wednesday on fraud charges, and face additional charges of child neglect and endangerment.
They will be back in court for the identity theft charges on May 3.
The couple made no mention of their minor child at the Southfield apartment, according to police.
The child remains in protective custody.
"It makes me feel sad for the little boy, to have parents like that. Parents that leave him alone," said the couple's neighbor Charles Josey.
Immigration police are reviewing the case and are looking into possible deportation.
If the couple were deported, it would be up to a judge to decide if the child goes with them or remains in the U.S.
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