Mother of Boy Found Wandering in Little Havana Arrested

Boy was found wandering streets before dawn Thursday, police say

A woman was arrested Thursday after police say her 6-year-old son was found wandering the street in Little Havana.  

Rosa Carolina Recarte Gomez, 30, was taken into custody on one count of child neglect after her son walked about five blocks from their apartment and was found by a passer-by driver who called police shortly before 4 a.m., according to an arrest affidavit.

The boy "explained to an officer he woke up, was afraid, realized he was alone and went searching for mom," said Miami police spokesman Detective Willie Moreno.

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Because the family’s apartment door was locked, the boy used a wooden duck to break a window and climb outside, getting a small cut on his hand in the process, the report said. The boy was found by the passer-by near Southwest 14th Avenue and Southwest 1st Street.

“He was right in the middle of the street,” said Jacelyn Camejo, a witness. “He was waving for help.”

The boy said, “I was scared out there. I say first, ‘Help!’ So I went to get my book bag, and I got my toys that my mom bought me today.”

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The boy provided officers his mother’s cellphone number, enabling police to find her, the report said.

Recarte Gomez allegedly admitted to police she left her son asleep home alone, saying he usually sleeps all night, the report said.

"She had to step out of the house a little bit after midnight and her 6-year-old son usually sleeps throughout the night, so she didn't think much of it," Moreno said.

Recarte Gomez’s cousin, Glendis Reyes, showed up at the apartment and was baffled by the case.
She called it “strange” that her cousin would leave her son, saying her cousin normally takes the boy everywhere with her.

The state Department of Children and Families has been notified. Recarte Gomez (pictured below) was held on $5,000 bond. It was unknown whether she has an attorney.

"At this point the child is in good condition and he is with a friend of the family," Moreno said.

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