Police find boy roaming around in PJs

Posted at: 11/01/2009 9:15 AM | Updated at: 11/01/2009 4:43 PM
By: Eyewitness News 4; The Associated Press

Tricia Haar

Benjamin Lucero

Albuquerque police have arrested a couple for letting their small child wander outside in the cold wearing nothing but thin pajamas.

The 2-year-old's mother, Tricia Haar, 33, and Benjamin Lucero, 35, are charged with child abuse.

Police say a neighbor had called authorities around 3 a.m. Friday to report a barefoot toddler outside. The partially blind boy was wearing only pajamas and was crying.

Officers say they tracked down Haar and Lucero, who were in the apartment drinking. APD learned the little boy has special needs and is partially blind.

Haar and Lucero appeared before a municipal judge on Saturday. Their bonds were raised to $10,000.

The boy is in the custody of a family member while the state Children, Youth and Families Department investigates.

The boy was taken to the hospital, but is feeling better.

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