Toddler Left At Store To Remain In State Custody

Tuesday, August 7th 2007, 5:24 pm

By: News On 6

NEWCASTLE, Okla. (AP) -- A 2-year-old boy left at a convenience store will remain in state custody until an August 18 court hearing, police said Tuesday. Newcastle Police Chief Gary Norman said the boy was left at the Love's Country Store at Interstate 35 and State Highway 9 Sunday night.

Two people in the store noticed the boy wandering around both inside and outside the store. When they realized he was alone, they called police, Norman said.

Erica Hinojosa, of Garden City, Kan., called police about 4 a.m. Monday, saying the child was hers, Norman said. He said the woman was upset and had gotten all the way home before noticing the child was missing.

Surveillance video from inside the store showed the boy coming in with a group of several adults and children.

"There were several adults and several children," Norman said. "When I talked to her, she said everybody got in the van and went to sleep and they didn't realize until the next stop that the little one wasn't in there."

Norman said Hinojosa told police she had five children ranging in age from 1 to 10.

Norman said Hinojosa was allowed a supervised visit with the child on Monday, but that further contact with the child won't be allowed until after the Aug. 18 court hearing in McClain County.

Hinojosa has not been charged with any crime, but a police investigation into the incident is continuing, Norman said.

Related story:

8/6/2007 2-Year-Old Left Alone At Convenience Store