Mother Admits Leaving Toddler Home Alone

VACAVILLE, Calif. (CBS13) -- The mother of a three-year-old child who was found wandering outside in near-freezing temperatures over the weekend admitted to making a huge mistake and is trying to regain custody of her children.

Brandy Stevens said she deeply regrets leaving her young daughter, Brooke, home alone Saturday night while she took her other children out shopping.

"I covered her up on the couch and I let her sleep," Brandy said.

Brandy said she took her four- and five-year-old children to the store and then stopped at the new home the family will soon move to. The entire excursion took less than half an hour, she says, but when she returned home she immediately knew something was wrong.

"Both front doors were open, and not even getting inside, I could see that Brooke was not on the couch," she said.

The mother frantically searched nearby herself before calling police. Investigators said Brandy was drunk, but she says she just had a beer to calm her nerves.

"I was able to run up and down that block, I never fell," Brandy said.

Officers launched a search for the missing three-year-old girl and found her two blocks away, near the family's new home. It was 38 degrees outside and Brooke was barefoot, wearing only her pajamas.

"Even if it was sunny, I take responsibility," Brandy said.

Authorities said Brandy made the trip to the grocery store and then went to visit a friend. Brandy denied the allegation, maintaining that she just stopped by the new house to pick something up.

Brandy was arrested on a charge of child endangerment and her children were taken into the custody of Child Protective Services. The mother will meet with officials Tuesday to find out whether she can regain custody of her children.

Her next court date is Wednesday.

"I wish I would have never, ever left her alone," Brandy said.