Welcome to Arrest Stories. A New Orleans mother faces negligent homicide and cruelty charges after her twelve-year-old autistic son died in an alligator attack following a pattern of alleged neglect and abuse. Here's what may have happened.
Hilda Vasquez was arrested on September seventh in connection with the tragic death of her son Bryan, who was found dead in a New Orleans East lagoon after being attacked by an alligator. The disturbing case reveals a troubling history of alleged abuse and neglect spanning years.
According to police reports, the fatal incident occurred on August thirteenth when Vasquez gave Bryan melatonin around eight in the evening before leaving him and his eleven-year-old sister home alone without adult supervision the next morning while taking her six-year-old to school. Vasquez told investigators, "I do not know when he escaped, but I am just now finding out" and "I have been checking on him, but today, I don't know when he escaped."
The tragedy becomes more disturbing when considering Bryan's history. In twenty fourteen, when Bryan was just three months old, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that prosecutors say was caused by his mother. Court officials stated, "Starting from three months old to have a skull fracture, a retinal hemorrhage, a lung damage to not just one but two fractured legs. Something, something horrible happened to Brian."
Bryan had escaped twice in the two weeks before his death. On August first, he was found naked drinking from a drainage ditch, and on August fourth, a neighbor returned him home. Despite this pattern, Vasquez continued leaving him unsupervised.
Adding to the case's complexity, both Vasquez and her newborn tested positive for cocaine at a hospital in July. During a search of her residence on Benton Street, authorities confiscated approximately eighty pounds of marijuana and Adderall pills.
Vasquez, who was previously convicted of cruelty to juveniles, remains held without bond. As one official stated, "But ultimately, we have to get justice for Brian."
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.