ODHS Employee Arrested After Forgetting Baby in Parked Van
The 8-month-old was found about 30 minutes later and released from the hospital without injury.
At A GLANCE
Incident:
Baby left unattended in an agency vehicle
Location:
ODHS offices on Southwest Emkay Avenue in Bend
Time in vehicle: Approximately 30 minutes
Child:
8-month-old baby
Condition:
Released from the hospital without injury
Charged:
Kenneth Michael Anderson, 56, Child Neglect II
Updated July 31, 2026: Additional timeline information has been added.
BEND, Ore. — A Bend employee with the Oregon Department of Human Services was arrested after police say he forgot an 8-month-old baby inside a parked agency van and left in another vehicle.
Kenneth Michael Anderson, 56, was arrested Thursday, July 30, on suspicion of second-degree child neglect, according to the Bend Police Department.
Police said Anderson was working as an ODHS family time coordinator Tuesday when he arranged a family visit involving the baby and her family in Redmond.
After the visit ended at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, Anderson drove the baby from the Redmond child welfare office to the Bend child welfare office on Southwest Emkay Avenue.
The baby fell asleep during the drive.
Police said Anderson parked the van, walked into the Bend office, and forgot the child was still inside. He later left the office in another vehicle to travel to a different location.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Anderson realized the baby had been left behind and contacted his supervisor.
The supervisor found the baby inside the unlocked van, provided care, and took her to St. Charles Bend for an evaluation. The baby was released without injury and returned to her resource parents.
Bend police received a report about the incident at approximately 1:37 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. Detectives investigated before arresting Anderson the following day.
Timeline
July 28, about 2:30 p.m.
A family visit ends in Redmond, and Anderson drives the 8-month-old baby to the Bend ODHS office.
Later that afternoon
Anderson parks the van, enters the office, and leaves in another vehicle, forgetting the baby inside.
Within about 30 minutes
Anderson realizes the baby is still in the van and contacts his supervisor.
Around 3:30 p.m.
The baby is found, cared for, and taken to St. Charles Bend. She is released without injury and returned to her resource parents.
July 29, 1:37 p.m.
Bend police receive a report of the incident.
July 30
Detectives arrest Anderson on suspicion of second-degree child neglect.
Police reminded drivers to check the entire vehicle, especially the back seat, before walking away. Placing a purse, backpack, or another needed item in the back seat may also serve as a reminder.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a child’s body temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. The agency reported that 31 children died from heatstroke after being left in vehicles during 2025.
Editor’s Note: National Weather Service observations at Bend Municipal Airport showed an outdoor temperature of 86 degrees around the time the baby was found. Research published in Pediatrics found that parked vehicles heated by an average of about 19 degrees during the first 30 minutes. Under similar sunny conditions, the van’s interior could have approached 105 degrees, although the actual temperature inside the vehicle was not reported.
Cover Image: File photo, Bend Police Department.
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