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Alaska 5-year-old carries toddler to neighbor's home as temperatures sink to -31 degrees, police say

VENETIE, Alaska — Police in Alaska are investigating after a 5-year-old who had been left unsupervised in a home ventured into frigid temperatures while carrying a toddler, authorities said.

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According to The Associated Press, the incident happened Tuesday after Julie Peter, 37, left the children alone in her house in Venetie, a small village with a population of only 175 people. After a power outage, the older child became frightened and decided to seek help, state troopers said.

Temperatures sank to -31 degrees Fahrenheit as the 5-year-old "carried the 18-month-old approximately 1/2 mile while dressed in socks and light clothing to the neighbor's house," the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a news release. The pair suffered "cold-related injuries" on the way, the release said.

Police conducted a welfare check and arrested Peter on a charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, the AP reported. No further information was immediately available.

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– The Associated Press contributed to this report.