Woman Accused Of Abandoning Toddler With Deceased Boyfriend To Be Arraigned

A Steelville woman accused of abandoning her toddler in a vehicle with her deceased boyfriend was scheduled to be arraigned.

Anna Windle, 32, has been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Windle, who is being held on a $500,000 bond, was set to appear Oct. 15. 

Windle allegedly walked away from her vehicle Aug. 22 at Birdsnest Road. Her child remained inside with Eric DeClue, 46, Cherryville, who was deceased. DeClue’s death has not been determined.

The child was removed by a reporting party.

First responders located Windle near the water’s edge. She fell down an embankment and was “substantially impaired and disoriented,” according to the probable cause statement.

Windle said she left her work that night, went to DeClue’s house and traveled along Long Springs Road. 

The pair allegedly consumed methamphetamine and went to the river. She said she became ill and unable to recall arriving at the river. 

Windle’s case was bound over to the circuit court on Sept. 26.