Nationwide — Artasia Viges, a 24-year-old woman from Eunice, Louisiana, is facing multiple charges after allegedly abandoning her son on the side of the road in the middle of the night and falsely reporting his kidnapping. Authorities say she called 911 around 1 a.m. on November 5, claiming that her son had been abducted by someone driving an older model truck while she was fixing a flat tire on the highway.According to WLBT, when deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered the child in the parking lot of a nearby clinic, suffering from abrasions on his knees. The boy told authorities that his mother had “run him over” and left him on the roadside. He was transported to a hospital for treatment as investigators began piecing together the events leading up to the incident.
According to the investigation, a dispute between Viges and her son escalated into a tantrum. While Viges was pulling over, the boy reportedly jumped out of the car before it came to a full stop, causing injuries to his knees. Instead of retrieving the child, authorities allege that Viges abandoned him and allowed him to run off into the darkness along the highway.
Detectives say Viges admitted she did not attempt to follow or find her son after losing sight of him. Her actions led to her being charged with cruelty to juveniles, child desertion, and false swearing for the purpose of violating public health or safety.
Viges is currently being held on a $200,000 bond as the investigation continues. The child’s condition has not been disclosed, but he received medical attention following the ordeal.