$40K bond for mom who left baby in vestibule

The mother of a baby found alone in a South Side apartment building Friday night has been charged with child abandonment.

Johnetta Smith, 24, of the 5800 block of South Wolcott Avenue, was charged with the felony count after leaving her 1-year-old daughter in the vestibule of an apartment building Friday night, according to Chicago Police.

Bond for Smith was set at $40,000 in court Wednesday, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

The child was found about 11:40 p.m. March 21 in an Auburn Gresham building in the 8200 block of South Justine Street, police said.

The baby was taken in good condition to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Center in Evergreen Park, and was later released into the custody of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, police said.

Detectives had been looking for the mother since Saturday afternoon, after the baby was identified. Smith turned herself in to police Monday.

She is next scheduled to appear in court March 31.

The Latest
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the Department of Justice is investigating.
Here’s how Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Convention are embracing Charli XCX’s social media post that sparked a cultural movement.
Thousands gathered in Union Park for the Pitchfork Music Festival, the Chicago Bears started training camp at Halas Hall, and Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her presidential campaign.
Williams got in defensive end DeMarcus Walker’s face as he went after tight end Gerald Everett on Friday.
Bielema still needs to prove the Illini can win in a conference that just got even better with Oregon, USC, Washington and UCLA on board and has done away with divisions, the days of a weaker West now over.