Kierra Dottery, 27, of Gary, is facing criminal charges after Gary Police alleged her 7-year-old child was left home alone at an apartment on the 400 block of Arthur Street after being released from school.  

According to court documents, police responded on August 19, 2025, after property management employees conducting inspections reportedly discovered a 7-year-old child alone inside the residence. Court documents state the child had been home alone for approximately 45 to 50 minutes before officers arrived.  

The child allegedly told police his mother instructed him to enter through an unlocked back door after school and remove his uniform. He reportedly stated he was supposed to go to a relative’s apartment, but no one answered the door. Court documents state the child had a cellphone but was unable to make outgoing calls and did not know his mother’s legal name or a phone number to contact her.  

According to court documents, officers spoke with the relative, who allegedly told police there had been no arrangement for the child to come to her residence that day. Officers also reported observing the apartment to be unkempt, with a strong odor of cat urine, alcohol bottles throughout the residence, and conditions they described as unsafe. The Indiana Department of Child Services was contacted to assist.  

Court documents state Dottery later arrived at the scene and became irate when speaking with police and Department of Child Services personnel. Police alleged she refused repeated requests to identify herself, attempted to leave with the child, and pulled away from an officer after being advised she was being detained. Officers further alleged her yelling and screaming caused multiple residents to exit the apartment building and passing vehicles to stop and observe the incident.  

The child was released to Department of Child Services personnel and later placed with a relative pending further investigation. Dottery was transported from the scene without further incident.  

Lodged in the Lake County Jail on May 29, 2026. She was extradited from Cook County Jail after serving a few months in IL.

Charges Filed October 8, 2025:

Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor

Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor

Refusal to Aid an Officer – Class B Misdemeanor