Mom Who Left Son Roadside Gets Suspended Sentence
Richmond Times Dispatch
A Richmond woman was charged during the weekend with leaving her 8-year-old son on the side of the road on Sunday, Aug. 30, after arguing with him about his performance in a BMX bicycle race, state police said. Leanne Denise Casolaro, 38, was charged with felony child neglect and reckless driving. The latter charge stems from a wreck that authorities say she allegedly caused while looking for her child after initially abandoning him.
Published: October 21, 2009
RICHMOND, Va.—A Richmond woman who left her 8-year-old son on the side of a Dinwiddie County road after arguing with him about his performance in a bicycle race was convicted yesterday of contributing to his delinquency and given a 12-month suspended jail term.
Leanne Denise Casolaro, 38, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge, reduced from felony child neglect, in Dinwiddie Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A judge sentenced her to 12 months in jail but suspended the entire term.
She also was ordered to submit written reports every 90 days about her progress while undergoing a year’s mental-health counseling, which she has begun, said Dinwiddie Commonwealth’s Attorney Lisa Caruso.
The Dinwiddie Department of Social Services will check on her over the next seven years, Caruso said. Casolaro had no prior criminal record, Caruso added.
A charge of reckless driving was dismissed after Casolaro made restitution for damage in a wreck she caused while looking for her son after abandoning him.
State police arrested Casolaro after the Aug. 30 incident with her son in the 7000 block of Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie. According to police, Casolaro’s son had competed in a BMX race that day at the Virginia Motorsports Park.
While returning from the event, Casolaro argued with her son about his performance, forced him from the car and drove away.
Witnesses saw the incident, temporarily took custody of the child and called police. Casolaro soon returned to the scene but could not find her son. While making a U-turn during her search, she collided with another vehicle, police said.
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Reader Reactions
Stackeye210- There is no scenario that would make it ok for a mother to dump her kid on the side of the road. Especially an athletic event.
This woman should have gotten jail time at the very least. Yet another example of someone who should have never been able to reproduce in the first place.
I get so frustrated to see parents yelling at their kids after an athletic performance! URGH - the kid is 8 years old, let it be about learning making friends, exercising, having fun and learning team work.
It sounds like she just needs anger management while dealing with her kid more then anything else. I hope this was a wake up call to help her to become a more supportive mother.
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