NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WTKR) – Authorities said a man has been arrested after a toddler was found wandering outside a motel in Newport News Thursday morning.
Newport News police were called to the Midtown Motel, in the 1600 block of Jefferson Avenue, around 7:30 a.m.
Police said when they arrived they found a 2-year-old girl walking around in her pajamas and a dirty diaper.
Officers said the little girl was only able to say “mommy” and could not give her mother's name or tell officers where she lived.
However, police said someone had reported that one of the motel room doors was ajar. Officers did not find anyone in the room, but did find some diapers and baby clothes.
About 20 minutes after police had arrived, officers said 21-year-old Barry
Barry Claiborne
Claiborne, arrived at the motel and headed for the room where cops had found the baby clothes and diapers.
Authorities said Claiborne shoved a police sergeant after he was asked where he was going.
Police later said that the toddler had been left in Claiborne’s care while the child's mother was at work. Claiborne is the woman's boyfriend and that the family lives at the motel.
Claiborne told police he had left the child sleeping in the motel room while he went to run an errand nearby.
Claiborne was arrested and charged with Felony Child Neglect and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
