Mother pleads guilty to child endangerment
BEMIDJI – The mother accused of leaving four children in a hot car last summer while she shopped for swimwear has pleaded guilty to child endangerment.
Bianca Jean Hazelrigg, 21, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a gross misdemeanor charge of child endangerment by putting a child in a situation that could cause harm or death.
Hazelrigg entered her plea before Beltrami County District Judge Paul Benshoof, withdrawing a not guilty plea previously entered in October.
Sentencing has been set for Jan. 14.
Hazelrigg, who previously lived in Bagley but lists her address as St. Cloud on her Facebook page, is accused of leaving four children unattended in a car in 88-degree temperatures on June 9 as she shopped inside the Bemidji Target for 29 minutes, trying on swimsuits, according to the criminal complaint.
Hazelrigg is not in police custody. She was released on non-cash bond June 13. Twice, warrants were issued for her arrest after she failed to appear for court hearings.
