SAN ANTONIO – A troubling trend has recently emerged in San Antonio, where several cases of children being left home alone have raised serious concerns. This has prompted local police to share important advice for parents and guardians.
“The child should come first over your convenience, so if you’re running to the corner store, just take the child with you,” said Detective Lisa Lamanna from the Special Victims Unit of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). Her experience in the field has shown her the negative impacts of leaving children unsupervised.
Detective Lamanna described the fear and distress exhibited by children left to fend for themselves, stating, “They’re very scared. Sometimes, they’re very soiled.” These words highlight the emotional and physical toll that abandonment can take on young ones.
In a recent incident, Balcones Heights police arrested 22-year-old Mariana Soto Montezuma after she left her two young relatives alone in an apartment. The children, ages 5 and 4, were discovered by a worker who came to collect an overdue bill. The boy opened the door, revealing the frightening situation inside.
Soto Montezuma was arrested when she returned home later, underscoring the serious nature of such actions. Just days before this incident, Bexar County deputies arrested Shaquitta Evans, 36, for leaving her three children, aged two, eight, and eleven, alone. A concerned neighbor alerted the authorities after one of the children approached them begging for food, highlighting the dangers of unsupervised minors.
The arrest affidavit indicated that the children had limited access to food, with only canned goods and frozen meat available in their home. Such alarming circumstances have led to multiple arrests in the area, including those of two women, Nataly Perez, 23, and Amber Robisheaux, 40, who left four children unattended while engaging in criminal activities.
In October, another case saw the arrest of 28-year-old Passion Williams, who also left four children unsupervised in a common area of an apartment complex. These incidents raise crucial questions about child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers.
Detective Lamanna clarified that while there is no specific state law dictating the minimum age at which a child can be left home alone, it is generally advised that children be at least five years old. Factors such as access to food and the ability to call for help are also considered when deciding whether or not to make an arrest.
“A lot of it has to do with maturity levels. Some 10-year-olds, 12-year-olds aren’t as mature as other 10- or 12-year-olds,” she explained. This emphasizes the need for parents to assess their child’s readiness for being alone.
Detective Lamanna has encountered numerous excuses from adults involved in these cases, yet she firmly believes there is no justification for abandoning a child. “If anybody is struggling with finding childcare, there are resources available. They can go to the Department of Family and Protective Services’ website,” she advised, pointing to the support systems in place for those in need.
