Lancaster, Pa. - A Lancaster woman left two young girls she was supposed to be babysitting at a dollar store for two hours while she had drinks in a nearby bar, according to police.

Rachel C. Canale, 21, was charged Monday with two counts of endangering the welfare of children in connection with the incident in the 900 block of South Duke Street.

Lancaster police Sgt. Michael Winters said the girls, ages 5 and 8, were found standing outside the store by a passerby who asked the girls where they belonged. The passerby called police when the girls replied that they had been there for "a while."

Winters said while officers were looking for the babysitter, the passerby reported that Canale returned to the store "visibly intoxicated" but then went back to the bar, where officers found her.

Canale was held at the police station until she was sober and then committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for November 13.

 Email To Friend