A policy advisor to District Attorney Larry Krasner was arrested Monday after she allegedly left her 4-year-old daughter in a car alone for more than 30 minutes.
Dana Bazelon, 40, of Center City, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a third-degree felony, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office told Metro. Her case is being handled by the AG’s Office.
Bazelon is accused of leaving her child in a car Monday afternoon on Rittenhouse Street in West Mount Airy, according to multiple media reports. She reportedly went for a walk with her 6-year-old son. Her arrest was first reported by BigTrial.net.
The DA’s Office declined to comment on the case, and a spokesperson said Krasner and his staff are being screened from the matter.
Jamie Funt, Bazelon’s attorney, defended his client and said she has spent her life and career looking out for people.
“Since before this pandemic began and especially during these last few trying months, Ms. Bazelon has worked tirelessly to protect victims of crime as well as all the citizens of Philadelphia,” Funt said in an emailed statement.
“What is alleged today does not reflect the kind, caring and loving mother she is,” he added. “We are confident that when all of the facts are revealed, her true nature will be vindicated.”
Bazelon, a former defense attorney, joined Kranser’s office in 2018. She has been involved in efforts to have inmates freed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Philadelphia’s jail system, according to a story published by The Appeal, an outlet focused on criminal justice issues.
She also helped craft a policy to allow for the expedited expungement of criminal records, Metro reported in 2018.
Bazelon’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 22, according to court records, which spell her name Bazemore.
