Babysitter Charged After Toddler Found Wandering in Martinez Neighborhood

A woman was arrested this morning after a three-year-old boy was found wandering alone in a Martinez neighborhood.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office posted a picture of the boy on their social media accounts this morning, asking the public for help in identifying the child.

Authorities say they learned the boy lives in the 300 block of Deerwood Court.  He was in the area of Palmetto Drive and Colonial Drive when he was found.  When deputies arrived they found the child's babysitter, 37-year-old Stefanie Jones, in bed asleep.  She reportedly wasn't aware the boy had gotten out of the house.

The child's mother was working out of state at the time of the incident.

Jones has been charged with deprivation of a minor.