A police officer did not leave five children ages 1 through 11 alone after arresting their caretaker July 3, Muskogee Police Chief Rex Eskridge said Friday.

“The children were left with relatives (after permission was given by their caretaker),” Eskridge said.

“Basically, it appears nothing the officers did was wrong. The children were not left alone.”

Eskridge said it appears Bridgett Page (who was caring for her 1-year-old and four children of a relative before her arrest) gave permission for the children to go with a relative.

In terms of the administrative procedures, there may be an issue that would be a personnel issue, he said.

Kenya Washington of Tahlequah, mother of the four older children, said she left the children with Page, who she earlier identified as a sister and now says is a former sister-in-law.

Page and her boyfriend were arrested after an incident in which someone pulled into a parking place next to them at Wal-Mart in Muskogee.

Page was arrested after she allegedly resisted arrest and interfered with an officer. The boyfriend, Tyrell Kines, was arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace, interfering with an officer and destruction of private property (kicking and denting the car in the parking place next to them).

Page insisted the man who parked the car almost hit the children when he pulled in the parking place should have been arrested.

Page has filed a complaint that excessive force was used in her arrest. Washington alleges the children were left with strangers and later were left with an uncle who was at Wal-Mart at the time.

Police Capt. David Davenport confirmed the complaints were investigated and the reports given this week to Maj. Tommy Knight and Eskridge. Police have an audiotape of the incident leading up to the complaints.

Washington said Friday she’s contacted an attorney and “just wants justice for these children.”