Authorities in Cleburne County say a 7-year-old boy was found alone on the shoulder of Interstate 20, and his stepmother is now under arrest, accused of driving while impaired by medication and leaving the child behind. Officials have released only limited information so far, including no specifics on the boy's condition or the exact spot along I-20 where deputies intervened.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, deputies took the woman into custody after locating the child along the interstate, a case that prompted a brief televised segment and online writeup on April 23, 2026. The station cited investigators but did not detail the precise list of counts the stepmother is expected to face.
The Cleburne County Sheriff's Office keeps an online inmate roster and contact information for bookings and tip lines, which is typically where formal booking details are posted once they are processed. Local prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to file formal charges and what those specific counts will be.
Legal context
Under Alabama law, prosecutors frequently turn to statutes such as endangering the welfare of a child (Ala. Code §13A-13-6) or abandonment (Ala. Code §13A-13-5) in cases where a child is allegedly left in a dangerous situation. Endangering the welfare of a child is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, and the exact charges that appear will depend on what investigators document and how prosecutors interpret the evidence.
The investigation remains active, and court records will show the formal counts if and when prosecutors file them. Hoodline will update this item as official filings and public statements are released.
