Woman arrested for leaving child at home (Brownsville Herald)

Woman arrested for leaving child at home

June 17, 2009 - 8:17 AM
By ILDEFONSO ORTIZ, The Brownsville Herald

A Mexican woman has been arrested for leaving her 9-year-old home alone while she went grocery shopping.

Norma Maria Resendez, 35, an undocumented immigrant, was arrested Monday and then charged with abandoning and endangering a child with intent to return, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.

The 6:30 p.m. arrest took place at an apartment complex at 1005 Apollo Ave., after police received a call from a concerned resident about a child left alone inside an apartment, Manrrique said.

Officers spoke with the child who was by herself and only had rotten food in the refrigerator, the spokesman said.

"Officers tried to find out if she knew what to do in an emergency," he said. "She didn't."

Shortly after, Resendez arrived with her 3-yearold son and told police that she had gone shopping for groceries leaving behind the 9-year-old because she didn't behave, Manrrique said.

Police reduced the charge of child abandonment to a Class C misdemeanor and turned her over to the U.S. Border Patrol, who took her into custody based on her immigration status, police said.

The children were released to the custody of a family friend who lived at the same apartment, Manrrique said.