Cortland Woman Arrested After Locking 6-Year-Old in Closet, Leaving Infants Unattended for an Hour

Cortland Police have arrested a Cortland woman following an investigation stemming from an incident that Cortland Police say endangered the safety and welfare of three children, including confining one of them in a dark closet for up to an hour home alone.

Officers responded to 25 Arthur Ave. on Wednesday, October 8th around 12:45 in the afternoon, for a report concerning the wellbeing of a child. Cortland Police say the investigation into the concern revealed 31 year old Lori A. Maricle had locked a 6-year-old child inside a closet and blocked the door to the closet with a heavy wooden dresser.

The child was prevented from exiting the closet as a result. Cortland Police say Maricle then left the home for about an hour with the 6-year-old inside a small and dark closet while also being unsupervised. Police say this posed serious risks to her safety including the inability to seek help in the event of a medical emergency.

During that same time when Maricle was out of the house and a 6-year-old locked inside a closet, the other two children, a 2-year-old, and 7-month-old, were left unattended inside the house.

Maricle has been charged with Unlawful Imprisonment in the 1st, a Felony, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, both Misdemeanors.

She was taken into custody without incident, Cortland Police say, and was later arraigned in Cortland City Court. Bail was set with Maricle sent to Cortland County Jail. Her next appearance in court is next week, October 17th.