A mother in Texas allegedly left her two toddlers home alone so that she could go visit her boyfriend approximately 30 miles away, and she was caught when she was taken into custody on unrelated charges after police found drugs in her car during a traffic stop.
Angelina Herrera was arrested on Tuesday, August 4, and charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
The Poteet Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to an anonymous report that two toddlers had been left alone at a home while their mother traveled to San Antonio to visit her boyfriend on the morning of August 4.
Officers immediately reported to the home, but were unable to get inside because no one answered the door. The officers remained outside of the home as dispatchers received additional calls regarding the situation, including one that notified them that Herrera was on her way back to the residence.
However, Atascosa County sheriff’s deputies pulled over her vehicle because she was speeding on her way home. Deputies searched her car during the traffic stop and found enough evidence to charge her with possession of a controlled substance, according to the press release.
She was then arrested and taken into custody.
Around the time she was arrested, one of her family members arrived at the residence and they let the officers into the home. Police immediately checked on the two toddlers, who were found unharmed and were asleep.
In addition to the drug charge, Herrera was then charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child.
Despite confirming her arrest, the Poteet Police Department did not reveal additional information including the children’s ages. However, they did note that the two children were both toddlers.
Additionally, investigators did not disclose how long the children had been left alone before the officers reported to the home.
Herrera is still in custody following her arrest, according to jail records.
It is not currently clear if Herrera has entered a plea or retained an attorney following her arrest. Her next court appearance has also not been officially announced.
The Poteet Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
