Soldier, wife charged with leaving children alone

A Fort Bragg soldier and his wife were charged Wednesday on child abuse charges after allegedly leaving their children alone while they celebrated their anniversary in New Orleans, authorities said.

Michael Walden, 46, and Jennifer Walden, 41, both of 2724 Bardolino Drive in Fayetteville, were also charged with contributing to a juvenile being neglected. They were released after posting $10,000 unsecured bonds.

Investigators determined that the couple left their 14-year-old son in charge of their 8-year-old daughter on Sept. 25. The children were responsible for caring for themselves, and neither had adult supervision while the parents were out of town, authorities said.

School officials contacted authorities after teachers were told a couple of days later that the Waldens weren't home with the children.