Girl Walks Alone on Busy Highway
A mother in Bexar County, Texas, was arrested after allegedly forcing her daughter, under 12 years old, to walk over 19 miles to school alone along a busy highway near San Antonio, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
Lucia Victoria Marie Cruz, 35, faces a charge of abandoning or endangering a child in a situation with risk of serious bodily harm.
The incident occurred on February 18 when a witness spotted the girl walking alone on State Highway 211 — a busy four-lane road. The witness reported that the girl tried to avoid the roadway, but cacti and brush forced her closer to moving vehicles.
Mother Unconscious After Night of Drinking
According to the girl, she tried to wake her mother that morning, but her mother was unconscious after drinking a bottle of wine following an argument with her boyfriend the previous night. The mother allegedly refused to drive her daughter to school, told her to walk, and then went back to sleep.
According to Google Maps, the distance from their home to the school was over 19 miles, an estimated seven-hour walk. The witness drove the girl to school and reported the incident to security personnel. The girl stated she did not have a phone for emergencies.
Mother Admits Knowing Daughter Was Walking
Police went to the home and spoke with the mother and her boyfriend. According to the San Antonio Express News, the mother admitted knowing her daughter was walking to school.
After the incident, the father came to the school and stated that he has primary custody, but at the time, the child was with her mother.
Cruz was arrested and booked into the Bexar County Jail, then later released on bond, according to court records.
