Crystal Lake police: Woman had heroin on her when she took child without permission on Metra train

Crystal Lake police on Wednesday arrested a woman accused of possessing heroin while caring for another person's child, whom she took on a train without the parents' permission or a way for them to contact her.

Seline C. Gomez, 25, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. The most serious charge, possession of a controlled substance, typically is punishable by one to three years in prison. The remaining charges are misdemeanors that often result in less than one year in jail.

According to a three-count criminal complaint, Gomez was caring for a minor on Wednesday when she took the child on a Metra train ride to an unknown location for an extended period of time.

Gomez didn't receive the parents permission to travel with their child and left without any means for the parents to check on Gomez or the child, according to court documents. At the time, Gomez was in possession of less than 15 grams of heroin and a needle, court records show.

Representatives from the Crystal Lake Police Department could not immediately be reached to provide further details, including how Gomez knew the child or how police became involved in the situation.

Gomez, who is unemployed, worked as a babysitter earning about $100 a week at the time of her arrest, according to a financial affidavit she filled out Wednesday.

Although the Crystal Lake Police Department's criminal complaint reflected that Gomez lives in the 100 block of Main Street, Crystal Lake, she listed a Chicago address on her financial affidavit. It was not immediately clear which address was her permanent residence.

Gomez remained at the McHenry County Jail Thursday evening on a $10,000 bond, meaning she would need to post $1,000 bail to secure her release.

Following a brief court appearance at the McHenry County Jail Thursday morning, a judge denied Gomez the appointment of a public defender, except for bond purposes, court records show.

Gomez is due back in court Monday morning for a bond hearing.