A Twentynine Palms woman was arrested Monday, accused of child endangerment and animal cruelty. According to the Sheriff’s Department, a deputy went to a home in the 5800 block of Halsey Avenue in Twentynine Palms about 10 a.m. to assist an animal control officer. The Palm n Paws Animal Shelter had been alerted that two dogs had been left outside in the 115 degree heat with no shade and no water, and the ground temperature was about 145 degrees. While at the home, the deputy realized a girl about 7 years old was in the home with what appeared to be no adult supervision. Deputy Arden entered the unlocked home and found the mother, Natalya McCourt, 27, asleep in a bedroom. While in the home, the deputy saw a child’s arm reaching under another door and discovered two boys, ages 3 and 6, had been locked into their bedroom with no water or access to toilets. The doors had been locked from the outside, and one of the boys was autistic. Natalya McCourt was arrested for investigation of felony child endangerment and felony animal cruelty, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with her bail set at $100,000.
