East Ridge woman charged with child neglect after toddler found wandering alone on busy street

Britnie Tester

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A woman was arrested Sunday night after police say a toddler was found wandering alone near a busy street and later discovered to be living in unsafe conditions.

On June 22, 2025, officers with the East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) responded to South Lovell Avenue around 8:21 p.m. after a report of a child walking alone.

The toddler was eventually found in the 5000 block of Delaware Drive, reportedly eating cat litter on a porch.

The child was also found with visible injuries, bug bites, and what appeared to be sand in his mouth.

When officers first arrived, no adults at the scene claimed responsibility for the child.

Due to concerning statements from witnesses on site, police conducted a welfare check at the child’s residence.

According to an affidavit, officers found trash and junk stacked high, an unsecured firearm, and moldy food inside the home.

Eventually, the officers found two adults sleeping on a mattress in a cluttered bedroom.

One of them tried to run from the room after being woken up.

Police later identified the mother as Britinie Tester.

Tester told officers she had been asleep, and thought the child was inside.

She was arrested and charged with child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.

Tester was later booked into the Hamilton County Jail without incident.