Share
A Gaston County mother is accused of leaving her 10-month-old son next to a pile of trash beside a road Sunday night after the baby’s father refused to watch the child for the night.
Mount Holly police say that Katelynne Devine, 23, of Stanley, left the baby after an argument with the child’s father, Aaron Miller. The child was not injured.
According to police, Devine arrived Sunday evening at the house on East Catawba Drive where Miller lives. Miller said Devine told him that he needed to keep the child for the night, but Miller refused, telling Devine that he had to go to sleep early so he could go to work Monday morning.
The two got into an argument, police say, and Miller asked Devine to leave.
Miller, 24, said he went back into the house and discussed the issue with his mother, and a few minutes later, the two walked out to the front porch. Miller said he heard a baby crying, and then saw his son beside a pile of trash, next to the road.
Devine told the Gaston Gazette that she left the baby with Miller and doesn’t know how the child got to the roadside.
Mount Holly’s interim police chief, David James, said the infant could crawl but not walk.
Devine was arrested later Sunday night and charged with child neglect. She is free under $5,000 bond. James says Gaston County social services officials are investigating the case.
The child is staying with Miller and his parents. Devine is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 5.
