A Louisiana mother has been arrested after allegedly abandoning her young son on the side of a highway in the middle of the night and falsely reporting him as kidnapped. Artasia Q. Viges, 24, was charged with cruelty to a juvenile, child desertion, and filing a false report for the purpose of endangering public safety.
The incident unfolded on November 5, 2024, when law enforcement responded to a call about a possible kidnapping in the area of U.S. 190 and Industrial Road in Eunice, Louisiana. Viges told deputies that her son had been abducted by individuals in an older model truck while she was parked on the side of the road dealing with a flat tire. However, her story quickly unraveled.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found Viges, but they also learned that a child had been discovered by citizens at a nearby medical clinic parking lot. The boy had abrasions on his knees and revealed to officers that his mother had run him over and left him alone on the roadside. The child was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, and authorities began to question Viges about the conflicting details in her story.
Further investigation revealed the disturbing truth. The mother’s initial report of a kidnapping was false. Deputies discovered that what had actually transpired was a domestic dispute between Viges and her son. According to the sheriff’s office, the mother had pulled over her car on the side of the road while her son, who was not properly restrained, exited the vehicle before it fully stopped. In the process, the boy injured his knee. Instead of attempting to help her son or bring him back into the car, Viges allowed him to run off into the night along a busy highway.
Viges admitted to investigators that she had not tried to follow her son and had lost sight of him after he fled the vehicle. Her actions left the child in a vulnerable and dangerous situation. Fortunately, the boy was found by good Samaritans before any further harm could come to him.
The investigation prompted authorities to take swift action. Detectives with the Juvenile Unit of the sheriff’s office took over the case and were able to gather additional details confirming that no abduction had occurred. Rather, it was a tragic response to a tantrum, and the mother’s neglectful behavior led to the dangerous circumstances.
Viges was arrested and is being held at the St. Landry Parish Jail on a $200,000 bond. Authorities have continued their investigation into the case, urging anyone with further information to come forward.
This case highlights the serious risks posed by neglectful parenting and the importance of properly securing children in vehicles. It also serves as a reminder of the need for responsible behavior in moments of stress, particularly when it comes to the safety of children. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the mother’s actions were not only reckless but also put her child’s life in danger, and she will face legal consequences for her behavior.
