In a concerning incident exposed by a social media post from El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, a Fabens woman has been arrested on accusations of child endangerment after her children were discovered wandering alone. The event brought to light the vulnerabilities of the young and those left without adequate care in our communities. According to El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, at 2:23 a.m. on Monday, deputies were called to the 700 block of N. Fabens Road after a 4-year-old girl and her dog were found by locals.
The child, seeming not to remember her own birthday or address, claimed she could lead deputies back to her home. It was an attempt to trust in a world that had, momentarily, misplaced its trust in her. At the residence located at the 100 block of NW CC Camp Street, deputies found the door unlocked and inside, two more children, ages 6 and 9, also alone. It was noted that these children were left without the means to even call for help or emergency services, much less understand the gravity of their own situation.
An ensuing investigation identified that Janely Reyes, a 26-year-old resident of Fabens, was the children's mother and responsible for their care at the time. Officials did not specify why the mother left the children unattended, but her absence led to her arrest and charges that highlight the perpetual need for vigilance when it comes to the safety and well-being of children. Child Protective Services was immediately notified and has taken steps to ensure the safety of the children.
Reyes is currently being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility, with bail set at a total of $30,000. She faces three counts of Abandoning or Endangering a Child. As the community reckons with the events that unfolded in the quiet hours of that morning, discourse inevitably turns to the prevention of such incidents in the future. Steps need to be actively taken to ensure that children are protected from the neglect laid bare by this event.
