A LAS CRUCES MOTHER FACES CHILD ABUSE CHARGES AFTER HER NINE YEAR OLD SON TESTS POSITIVE FOR COCAINE. POLICE SAY THEY GOT INFORMATION THAT 31 YEAR OLD MARY LOU BARELA WAS USING A SOCIAL MEDIA SITE TO SOLICIT HERSELF, AND WAS POSSIBLY AT A LOCAL PARK WITH HER THREE CHILDREN. A RESPONDING OFFICER FOUND BARELA’S BACKPACK CONTAINED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
IT WAS ALSO LEARNED THAT BARELA HAD SMOKED CRACK COCAINE TWO DAYS EARLIER. WHEN THE MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN WERE TESTED FOR DRUGS, BARELA AND HER NINE YEAR OLD SON TESTED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE.
THE INVESTIGATION IS ON-GOING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE PENDING.
