Special to the American Press

While the temperature was hovering around 100 degrees with a heat index near 117 degrees, the Kenner Police Department received a 911 call Monday afternoon regarding an infant sitting in a stroller looking distressed while the mother stood nearby in the 2700 block of Veterans Blvd.

Officers arrived at the location to investigate the complaint and located the mother and child. The officers determined the mother was not offering any comfort or aid to the child because she was in the act of pandering motorists for money.

EMS was called to the scene to evaluate the child and ultimately resulted with the mother being arrested and charged with violating the state’s cruelty to a juvenile statute.

The Department of Child and Family Services was contacted, and the child was turned over to a family member.

“This is another case that shows that panhandling can lead to dangerous consequences. This case, and the 10 arrests last week in which several panhandlers were observed buying suspected narcotics from a van in the same area, causes law enforcement great concern. We will continue to have a presence in this area. Again, we urge motorists that want to help those less fortunate to seek out an agency or nonprofit they are comfortable with making donations to,” Chief Conley said.