NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) — A New Iberia couple has been arrested after police say the child’s mother admitted to being high on synthetic marijuana when she left her her 3-year-old alone and barefoot at a park.
Police said it happened around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday when officers were called to City Park in reference to a wandering toddler.
Spokesperson Sgt. Daesha Hughes said police arrived and took the child into their care.
She said six hours later, officers were able to locate the child’s mother, identified as Fredrika James.
Hughes said James admitted that she and Kyjuan Washington dropped her daughter off at the park and left.
She told police that they had been smoking synthetic marijuana prior to dropping the child off and leaving.
James was arrested and charged with child desertion and for an active arrest warrant for unauthorized use of a movable.
Washington was arrested for child desertion and an active bench warrant for violation of registration and no insurance.
Hughes said the James has two children who are now in custody of the state.