Why 1 Mother Faces Criminal Charges For Putting Her Son in "a Time-Out"

A 4-year-old boy was found early Tuesday morning outside of an apartment complex where his mother was babysitting — tied to a bush. The young boy was left alone for about 30 minutes, tied down with the leash on his backpack by his mother, Mery Isabel Quinde Castro, who was punishing him for not wanting to go inside the complex with her. The 22-year-old mother has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Neighbors called the police, and when the officers arrived on the scene, they were informed that the boy was tied to the bush because his mother thought he needed a "time-out" after refusing to listen to her and go into the building. Spring Valley, NY, Police Chief Paul Modica said it was troubling: "I mean, there were so many other things she could have done with the child."

While Castro's sister protected her on the scene, saying that she did nothing wrong and is a good mother, neighbors and witnesses were appalled, including one who said, "It befuddles me why she would tie a child up to a tree — almost like a dog." Castro was released on bail paid by her sister and is due back in court on Thursday morning.