LCPD: Children knocked on doors at 2 am; mother and grandmother ‘too intoxicated’ to care for them

Police arrested a mother after her children, ages seven and nine, were found knocking on a neighbor’s door, asking for a ride, at nearly 2 am Thursday.

Cynthia Jimenez, 33, of the 1200 block of Monte Vista Avenue, is charged with two third-degree felony counts of intentional child abuse.

Police were dispatched to the report of two young children knocking on apartment doors on the 1200 block of Monte Vista Avenue. Officers arrived to find the children with a 36-year-old man who found them at his apartment complex.

Investigators learned the two children snuck out of their grandmother’s home and were looking for their mother, later identified as Jimenez. The children reportedly knocked on several apartment doors asking for a ride to where their mother might be.

The children led officers to the apartment where they live with their mother and grandmother. Officers knocked on the door and, for several minutes, tried to get the grandmother’s attention before she woke up.

Investigators learned Jimenez had allegedly been drinking since about 3 pm Wednesday. At about 11 p.m., Jimenez left the apartment with a friend and went to a residence off Watson Lane, police said.

Investigators learned Jimenez left the children in the care of her mother who, herself, was too intoxicated to care for the kids.

Officers obtained Jimenez’s cell phone number and called her. She returned to the apartment after 2 a.m. but was too intoxicated to provide further information.

The children have been turned over to the custody of child protective services. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Jimenez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where she’s initially being held without bond.