HOUSTON – The mother of a toddler has been charged in connection with his death, police said.
Police charged Gissel Vazquez, 18, with endangering a child after her 1-year-old son was hit and killed by a vehicle.
According to authorities, the crash was reported about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday on Tierwester Street and Dixie Drive in south Houston.
The boy was following Vazquez through the parking lot of an apartment complex when a white Chevrolet Impala backed out of a space, hitting the child.
Vazquez appeared before a judge Thursday. Surveillance video showed Vazquez walking in the parking lot with a child in her arms and two small children walking behind her, prosecutors said.
Vazquez and one of the children went inside, leaving her son outside. That is when he was hit, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said Vazquez left the child unattended and that is why she is charged in connection with her son’s death.
A judge set Vazquez's bond was set at $10,000. Vazquez has since posted bail. The judge said Vazquez must comply with CPS should CPS get involved.
Cmdr. Salam Zia, of the Houston Police Department, said the driver originally left the scene but returned when officers were able to reach the driver by phone.
The driver was questioned and released, authorities said.