Woman Charged After Abandoning Toddler With Deceased Boyfriend In Vehicle

A Steelville woman was charged Friday after she allegedly abandoned her toddler with her deceased boyfriend in a vehicle at Birdsnest Road

Anna Windle, 32, faces one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office said Eric DeClue, 46, Cherryville, was found deceased in the vehicle.

DeClue’s death has not been determined.

The probable cause statement said a resident located a vehicle parked late Aug. 22 at the Birdsnest Road river access and heard a child crying.

DeClue was found deceased in the front seat and a three-year-old in the back.

The child was removed from the vehicle by the reporting party.

First responders located Windle near the water’s edge. She had fallen down an embankment and was “substantially impaired and disoriented.”

Windle was unaware of her whereabouts. 

She was later interviewed at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Windle said she left her work, went to DeClue’s house and traveled along Long Springs Road with him and the toddler.

Windle said the pair consumed the contents of their methamphetamine bong, then continued along the road to go to the river.

She said she became ill and could not recall arriving at the river access.

She said she had concept of the time that had passed between consuming meth and being found close to 11 p.m.

Windle’s bond has been set at $500,000.