CARTHAGE, Mo. — A misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child charge was filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court against a Carthage woman who allegedly left a sleeping baby alone in her unlocked car for approximately 30 minutes with the motor running.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a passerby noticed the baby and called the police about five minutes after Elisa M. Lopez-Vasquez (DOB 1985) left the car.
When contact was made Lopez Vasquez, she advised she left the juvenile alone in the vehicle because he was sleeping. Video footage showed Lopez Vasquez leaving the juvenile, unattended, and walking into the store. He was left alone for about four to five minutes before a passerby noticed the juvenile. The employees of the store stood with the juvenile until officers arrived. Lopez Vasquez did not come out of the store until about twenty-five minutes later.
When the investigating Carthage Police Department officer ran a check on Lopez Vasquez, it was discovered her license had been revoked. She was told to call another driver to come and pick her up.
After officers left the area, Lopez Vasquez is seen on camera getting into the vehicle, driving through the parking lot and left southbound on S. Grand.
Lopez Vasquez also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving without a valid license.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
For more coverage of southwest Missouri and former Carthage Press Managing Editor Randy Turner’s daily column, sign up for the Turner Report Newsletter by e-mailing rturner229@hotmail.com.
