A Mandan woman has pleaded not guilty to Class B felony child abuse and neglect.

Natalie Hamilton, 41, entered the plea to South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty on Monday afternoon.

According to an affidavit from Mandan Police Officer Tonya Grabinger, Hamilton's 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son went to a neighbor's home the evening of Sept. 26, and the neighbor's children asked if the other children could stay. The neighbor said they needed permission, the affidavit said.

The girl and boy returned and said their mother was passed out on the couch and had locked them out of the house, the affidavit said. The children told Grabinger their mother had been drinking vodka and she often gets drunk for a week at a time.

The children said their mother cooks for them when she is sober, but otherwise they fend for themselves, the affidavit said. The girl had a burn on her fingers from making chicken.

Hamilton was taken to a hospital for intoxication.

She was released to an agent of Teen Challenge after making her first appearance on the charge in October.

- Jenny Michael