SAN ANTONIO – A man has been charged with a state felony after allegedly leaving his young child by the side of the road on the East Side.
Christopher Martin, 37, was arrested Tuesday and charged with endangering or abandoning a child after a witness called 911 on July 2 to report a young child running up and down the street in the 4000 block of Paula Drive.
The witness told San Antonio police officers who arrived at the scene that the child was running up and down the street at a busy intersection with no shoes and no shirt on.
Officers noted that street speed limits in the area are 40 mph and that there is regular traffic flow.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the child told officers his dad dropped him off in the area and left.
Police obtained Martin’s contact information through Child Protective Service investigators, who have prior open cases with Martin.
When officers called Martin he said he left the child with a friend but he wasn’t able to provide any identifying information or a valid address. He hung up the phone and then couldn’t be reached again, according to the affidavit.
Police then contacted the boy’s mother who said she is out of state and that Martin is responsible for the child.
A warrant was issued for Martin’s arrest on July 2. His bond is set at $25,000, court records show.
If convicted, a state felony carries a possible punishment of 180 days to 2 years in jail.