LAKEPORT >> An off-duty Lakeport Police sergeant and another citizen spotted a two-year-old boy in the middle of the road on Martin Street, near Brush street Thursday evening. The resulting search for his mother led to the arrest of 39-year-old Sophia Maria Pulido.
Law enforcement officials report that the officer noticed the unattended child wandering in the roadway at approximately 7:15 p.m. The sergeant immediately took custody of the child to prevent any harm from traffic. He notified on duty patrols and police began a search of the neighborhood. The LPD also reached out to the community for additional information on the child, as well as the parties responsible for his dangerous placement.
Within minutes of this announcement leads began to come in. Through these, as well as a neighborhood watch, police discovered the identity of the mother. Pulido was located at a nearby metal shop on Brush Street.
Authorities determined the mother was under the influence of methamphetamine. Pulido reportedly has no known address.
An LPD sergeant took care of the child at the police station until Lake County Child Protective Services arrived to take temporary custody.
Pulido will now face felony charges for her drug-induced state, as well as her act of child endangerment. She is currently booked at the Lake County Jail for use of a controlled substance and willful cruelty of a child, who was possibly injured.
Police continue to search for leads on the case, and encourage community members to fill in the gaps of their current investigation
