A Texas mother has been charged with child abandonment and endangerment after her 8-year-old son, who was reportedly skinny, weak, and malnourished, broke into a residence and was caught stealing food from a refrigerator.
Valley Central reports that police arrested Crystal Viera on June 20 in San Benito, according to a news release by the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office.
Following a welfare report regarding a child, deputies arrived at a residence off Petras Road and spoke with neighbors, who said the child was hungry and looking for food when he broke into their home. When they took him back to his own home, his mother was not there.
“As per the complainants, an unknown child went into their residence, opened the refrigerator and started eating their food. As the complainants made contact with the child, he was holding food in his hands and stated he was ‘hungry,” an arrest release said.
Viera, during an interview with police, reportedly confessed to leaving the child home alone, according to reports. Child Protective Services received the case and subsequently removed the child from the residence.
“In their initial observations, the child was described as skinny, seemed very weak and malnourished,” the release added.
Viera was arrested and taken to the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center. Jail records indicate that her bail was set at $20,000.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Police Handout]
