EUNICE, La. — A Louisiana woman has been arrested after allegedly fabricating a story about her child being kidnapped, leaving him alone along a major roadway and allowing him to run off into the night following a tantrum, according to authorities.
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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident began on Nov. 5, when deputies responded to a kidnapping report around 1 a.m. near U.S. 190 and Industrial Road in Eunice, Louisiana. Artasia Quantaya Viges, the mother, claimed her son was abducted by individuals in an older model truck while she was addressing a flat tire, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
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However, officers quickly discovered inconsistencies in Viges’ account. Shortly after their arrival, local residents found the child alone in the parking lot of Heinen Medical Clinic with abrasions on his knees.
Conflicting Accounts
“The child stated to officers that his mother ‘ran him over’ and left him on the side of the road,” authorities said. He was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Due to the conflicting statements, Juvenile Detectives from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office were brought in to further investigate.
“An interview with Artasia Viges revealed the awful truth: there was no kidnapping. A young child was left unattended along a major roadway and allowed to run off in the night,” authorities confirmed.
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Incident Details Unveiled
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated after a disagreement between Viges and her son. When Viges pulled the car over, the child—reportedly not properly restrained—jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop, resulting in injuries to his knees.
“The mother chose to leave the child out of the car, allowing him to run off in the dark along major roadways,” authorities noted, adding that Viges admitted to not attempting to go after him and eventually losing sight of him.
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Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Viges was subsequently taken into custody. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing, with further details expected as the case unfolds.
