Syracuse mother charged with being impaired, failing to care for autistic daughter

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse woman is behind bars after police say she became impaired on drugs or alcohol while she was supposed to be taking care of her autistic daughter.

Jessica Ramsden, 34, of 709 Willis Ave., was caring for her daughter at home Wednesday, when she became impaired on drugs or alcohol, according to City Court documents filed by Syracuse police.

During that time, Ramsden's 18-year-old daughter, who is severely non-verbal autistic, was able to leave the house twice without Ramsden's knowledge, according to court documents.

Officers found the teen around 5 p.m., wandering in an out of traffic several blocks away from her home. Police later learned that the teen wandered into at least one neighboring house.

She was wearing pajama pants and a light sweatshirt at the time. It was about 40 degrees out and rainy when police found her, according to court documents.

When officers tried to arrest Ramsden, she lowered her right shoulder into an officer's chest and tried to break away, according to court documents. Officers had to then force her to the ground and handcuff her.

Ramsden was charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, resisting arrest and second-degree harassment.

She was arraigned in City Court and remains at the Onondaga County Justice Center on $1,500 bail.

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