Mom accused of leaving kids home alone pleads not guilty

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone while she traveled to Europe has pleaded not guilty.

Court records say Erin Macke filed a written plea last week to four counts of child endangerment and one of transferring a firearm to a person under 21. Police said the latter charge was filed because a firearm was left at home within the children's reach. Records don't show a trial date.

Police have said Macke, of suburban Des Moines, tried but failed to make child care arrangements for her children — two age 12, one 7, one 6 — before leaving Sept. 20 for a vacation in Germany. Police say the father of one of the children was called by his child the next day, and he called police.