A woman arrested on an outstanding warrant for theft is facing a much more serious charges of child endangerment.

Erin Pappas, 30, of Goshen awoke the morning of Thursday, Jan. 27 to find her 3-year-old daughter not breathing. Brooklyn Upton was pronounced dead after Pappas made a frantic 911 call.

Pappas
Clermont County Prosecutor Don White said Upton appears to have died sometime in the night, likely early Thursday morning. He said Pappas was charged with child endangerment based on the conditions of the home. No charges have been filed related to Upton’s death, however White said charges are possible pending the outcome of a full autopsy to determine the cause of death.

“She’s been charged with felony child endangerment but it has nothing to do with the death,” White said.

Pappas also has a 12-year-old child. White declined to comment on the possibility of Pappas having prior contact with Clermont County Child Protective Services.

Pappas was taken into custody on Thursday on a warrant for theft issued two days before. White said a Miami Township McDonald’s employee approached his office to press charges against Pappas, a former employee of the McDonald’s, for theft of less than $500.

Pappas is currently being held on $500,000 bond in the Clermont County Jail. She pleaded not guilty to the theft charge on Friday, Jan. 28.

Pappas was convicted of theft in Miami Township in 2003, and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2000. She was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence in 2003 and 2009, and in 2010 was convicted of driving under suspension.