Crime & Safety

Woman Charged with Endangering Her Children Pleads Not Guilty

Sunitha Budithi, 38, of Woodridge, allegedly left her kids to move her car when a fire broke out in her apartment.

A Woodridge woman charged with endangering the lives of her children plead not guilty at a status hearing Tuesday. 

Sunitha Budithi, 38, allegedly left her two children alone when she went to move her car in the parking lot of the apartment complex in the 6600 block of Double Eagle Drive.

While she was out, 

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The two children were found by first responders of the  in the apartment and rescued. They were taken to Edward Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

Both children are younger than 10, according to Kate Croteau, management analyst for the 

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The Lisle-Woodridge Fire Department responded to the apartment complex after a fire alarm was activated around 7:40 a.m. Thursday.

Budithi was arrested around 11:05 a.m. that day and charged with two counts of endangering the health or life of a child. 

She will return to court next week. 


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