Boy found wandering on freeway in Waukesha County, mother charged

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Watertown woman is accused of dropping off her 12-year-old son on the interstate to walk to his tutoring session in Waukesha County. 

Investigators say on Nov. 7 around 5:30 p.m., officers were dispatched for a well-being check on I-94 at Calhoun Road in Brookfield, after numerous calls came in reporting a child walking along the shoulder of the freeway crying.

Deputies located the 12-year-old boy walking alone; the sun had set, and there was rush hour traffic on the interstate with a posted speed limit of 70 mph. According to a criminal complaint, the temperature was approximately 50 degrees, and the boy was wearing thin clothing. 

Deputies learned the boy was walking toward Sylvan Learning for tutoring in Brookfield, approximately 1.8 miles away. 

The complaint says the boy did not have a phone on him or any way to contact help should he need it. 

According to the complaint, throughout the entire interaction, the victim was visibly upset and crying. He reportedly told investigators his mother kicked him out of her car after getting into an argument about his grades. 

The boy's mom allegedly pulled over and he got out of the car and started walking as she drove away. 

Authorities made contact with the child's mother, identified as 43-year-old Flor Escalante. Escalante reportedly told officials she and her son got into an argument over his grades and that he didn't appreciate everything she did for him. The boy's mom told investigators, according to the complaint, she instructed her son to get out of her car and walk so he can understand "what labor is." 

Escalante, according to the complaint, stated traffic on the interstate was "going slower" so she felt it was safe for her son to walk. 

Escalante stated after leaving her son, she reportedly made a U-turn to try and find him but was unsuccessful, so she went to Sylvan Learning and waited. 

According to the complaint, Escalante received a phone call from a family member that law enforcement located the child. 

Escalante, the complaint says, assumed officers would bring her son to her. 

When authorities explained how dangerous and reckless her behavior was, Escalante reportedly just asked if there was anything she could do to lower her charges. Escalante was visibly upset about the situation, but officials report she did not seem to grasp the recklessness and negligent nature of her actions. 

Escalante has been charged with one count of child abandonment and neglecting a child.