ATHENS, Texas — A woman was arrested on Saturday, October 29, 2023, for allegedly abandoning her 8-month-old daughter in a stroller by the roadside in a stranger's driveway just outside of Athens, according to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
ATHENS, Texas — A woman was arrested on Saturday, October 29, 2023, for allegedly abandoning her 8-month-old daughter in a stroller by the roadside in a stranger's driveway just outside of Athens, according to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office received a call from a residence on State Highway 19 South, where the residents reported finding the child. Deputies and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene, where the medical staff checked the infant and stayed with her while deputies conducted the investigation.
In an effort to identify the child or her family, the Sheriff's Office posted about the incident on social media. Aliza Perez, the mother of the child, contacted the Sheriff's Office, stating that she needed to turn herself in for leaving the child.
Henderson County Crimes Against Children Investigator Dustin Smith and Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigator Jonathon Barrios responded to assist in the investigation. Child Protective Services (CPS) were also notified and responded to the scene.
After conducting interviews, investigators learned that Perez was indeed the mother of the child and had left her on the side of the roadway in a stroller.
CPS also conducted interviews and took custody of the child.
Investigator Smith presented a probable cause affidavit to Henderson County 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee on the same day. Judge McKee issued an arrest warrant for Perez for endangering or abandoning a child. Perez was subsequently arrested and is now in the Henderson County Jail.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted in the investigation by the Henderson County District Attorney's Office, CPS, the Texas Rangers, and UT Emergency Medical Services.