The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A criminal case in Texas developed after authorities raised concerns about the welfare of a very young child who was reportedly left without adult supervision.
According to court records, police were contacted on September 20 after residents at an apartment complex in Abilene reported concerns involving a small child who appeared to be alone. When officers arrived, they were directed to a toddler who had been seen without a caregiver in a shared area of the complex. The child, believed to be about three years old, appeared to need attention and care, prompting neighbors to seek help.
As officers worked to determine who was responsible for the child, their investigation led them to a nearby apartment, which was believed to be connected to the situation. Police reportedly entered the residence and found that no adults were present. The child did not show signs of physical injury, though officers noted that they appeared to have been left unattended for some time.
Investigators located information inside the apartment that helped them determine who lived there. Police were eventually able to make contact with that individual, who later arrived at the complex. She allegedly told officers that the child had been left with a family member. However, investigators reported that she could not provide reliable contact details to support that claim.
As the investigation continued, other relatives reportedly told police they were unfamiliar with the person she identified, and some said that the individual had not been involved with the family for years. Days later, detectives conducted a follow-up interview. During that conversation, the woman allegedly admitted that she had left the child alone while she went out for the evening with a friend.
Authorities did not explain why several months passed between the incident and an arrest. The woman was eventually taken into custody and booked into the Taylor County Jail. She was released after posting a $5,000 bond the following day.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.