Albuquerque mother charged after boy found wandering in traffic

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A woman was charged after her three-year-old was found roaming near a busy southwest Albuquerque intersection alone early Friday morning.

Bernalillo County deputies responded to the area of Rio Bravo and Coors after a Mesa Detection security guard called in that a child was walking in lanes of traffic just after 4 a.m.

According to the criminal complaint, the boy was dirty and didn’t have pants, socks, or shoes on, and had stepped in glass. Deputies also learned the boy was non-verbal.

Police said around 6 a.m., the boys mother, Lajayah Paz, called Albuquerque Police Department to report her child was missing.

Paz allegedly stated she’s a heavy sleeper and didn’t hear the boy leave, claiming the three-year-old has done this before.

The mother was arrested and had her first appearance in court Saturday morning. She was released but is facing a charge of abandonment or abuse of a child.

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