No one says you have to plead guilty.

Plead not guilty. And, although you may not want to hear it, I suspect that your attitude about the entire issue contributed to it being continued. If the way you your attitude is displayed here is the way that you responded to the officers and other concerned authorities that is probably why the matter has escalated as it has. (note--I am not judging you, I am merely explaining WHY or HOW something that seems like an 'accident' has not been resolved yet).

It would be a good idea IN PERSON to express some regret, some awareness of what happened and how serious it is, was, and could have been. Perhaps that is what the authorities DIDNT see that gave them cause for further concern.

Perhaps as a new mother, you aren't aware that what you are describing is NOT customary. It isn't a common happening that children that young escape from their homes at any and/or all hours. Again, this isn't a JUDGEMENT, just an explanation of why or how they apparently found the situation much more serious than you appear to ( judging from your apparently flippant 'its no big deal' attitude displayed here)

The best thing for you to do when you go to court is lose the attitude you have here. HERE is doesn't matter---you can act however you want. BUT you are asking for help? Losing the "its no big deal, you can't judge me, whats the big deal" attitude will go a long way in helping the judge recognize that you 1. understand that this behavior is NOT normal behavior for a child that age, and 2. that you are aware you have a higher duty of care in assuming responsibility for the childs well being. In short, some well timed contrition ( even if it is all contrived) will go a long way in helping your defense. Your attitude will either end this, or DSS will be a part of your life for a long time to come.

It's your call.

And yes, I am not only a mother, I am a widow, with seven minor aged children--the first six being born in seven years. And, even with six kids under the age of seven, nothing like this ever happened to me. This DOESNT mean my kids are perfect---and it DOESNT mean that they are never out of my sight---it just means that what you are describing is more serious than you APPEAR to understand. I don't know--maybe you DO understand how serious it is---but judging from your posting here--which is all I have to go by, you don't appear to concerned about the issue at all. If you are, than good. Make sure THAT is what comes through to the judge---your concern, your contrition, your love and appreciation for the safety and well being of your kids, etc.

Attitude is the key ( not here, but in the court room). Plead not guilty---ask for a public defender if you want. Ask for a jury trial and get continuance after continuance and drag it out for years if you want. By that time several years can and will have gone by and you will have hopefully demonstrated an awareness of your kids well being, person and location--and this will be to your credit.

I suspect the charges will be pled down, and something like parenting classes, or the such will be ordered. I don't think the intent is to send you to jail---the intent is to change your attitude.

Many a speeding ticket has been avoided by the ATTITUDE of the driver of the vehicle in question. Your case is no different.

However, the charge of contributing makes me think there is more to the story--was alcohol involved? What time of morning was it? If it was 11:30 am, then that might give them cause for concern that the child had been up so many hours apparently without being watched. If you want a more accurate answer, please provide ALL the facts--what will the prosecutor say when they step up to the podium?