PHOENIX — A Phoenix mother has been arrested after authorities say she put beer in her 2-year-old son's sippy cup.
Phoenix police were called to a pizza restaurant Tuesday night after witnesses say they saw 36-year-old Valerie Marie Topete pour beer from a pitcher into her son's cup and then the child drank some of it.
Phoenix police say Topete admitted pouring the beer in the cup because the child kept reaching for the beer pitcher.
Officers examined the contents of the cup and determined the liquid was consistent with beer.
The child was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons and was later released to the care of his father.
Topete is being held on suspicion of child abuse. Police didn't know if she has a lawyer.
GALLERY: QUESTIONABLE PARENTS
Then I noticed that the two children were walking up to the father, seemingly taking turns sipping out of his beer can. They'd come up, beg him and he'd give them a "sip". I said nothing but remember watching how as time grew on, the children couldn't stand up and then finally just passed out.
I still feel guilty about not saying anything to this day, even though I was just a kid and really didn't have the tools or maturity to speak up and still feel angry at the number of adults who were there who must have witnessed the scene and did nothing to stop it.
I've known more than one adult who struggles with alcohol or drug abuse whose parents were their primary pushers, so to speak. Its sick.