Newport News police responded to reports of an abandoned 2-year-old child at a motel Thursday morning.
Police say the call came in at 7:30 a.m. They say a 2-year-old girl was found walking outside in her pajamas at the Midtown Motel located at 10614 Jefferson Avenue.
When police arrived, they encountered a woman who had stopped to assist the wandering child. The toddler, who was wearing a shirt and a dirty diaper, would only say “mommy” and was unable tell officers where the mother was or where they lived.
Police say another citizen told officials that one of the motel room doors was wide open. Officers didn’t find anyone in the room, however, they did find diapers and baby clothing.
Approximately 20 minutes after police had arrived on scene, a man, later identified as Barry Claiborne, arrived at the motel and began walking toward the room. When a police sergeant asked Claiborne where he was going, he shoved the sergeant to the side.
Police say the toddler was left in Claiborne’s care while the toddler’s mother was at work. Claiborne is not the father of the child, but is the boyfriend of the toddler’s mother; they all reside at the motel, officials say.
Claiborne told police he had left the toddler in the room asleep while he went to run an errand down the street.
Barry Lavado Claiborne, age 21, of the 10600 block of Jefferson Avenue was arrested and charged with Felony Child Neglect and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Police say the child has not been injured.
Stay tuned for updates from NewsChannel 3.
Photo: Barry Lavado Claiborne
Police: Child found abandoned at Newport News motel wtkr.com/2012/07/19/pol…
—
Holly Lynne Henry (@mediaholly) July 19, 2012
