Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 35-year-old man for negligent child abuse after three toddlers were seen wandering around a Mesilla Park neighborhood for several hours, unattended.
Just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, a neighbor in the 4800 block of South Main Street called 911 and reported seeing a two-year-old girl wandering around wearing pink pajamas. A sheriff’s deputy responded to the call and witnessed the little girl standing in the middle of the street.
Other neighbors in the area said they weren’t sure where the little girl lived, but reported seeing two three-year-old twin boys who were walking in the neighborhood without adult supervision.
The deputy was able to locate the two little boys, who were found wearing only their diapers. None of the three children had shoes or socks on, and all reportedly had extremely soiled diapers.
After questioning several neighbors, the deputy determined the residence in which the children lived and made contact with the father, Angel Flores. Flores appeared to have just woken up and told the deputy he was not aware his children had left the house to wander in the street.
Flores was arrested and charged with negligent child abuse. He was taken to the Doña Ana County Detention Center where he is being held on a $10,000 secured bond.
All three children were turned over to the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.
Information from Dona Ana County