Mother arrested after allegedly abandoning baby in the Avenues

Salt Lake City police arrested a homeless woman for allegedly abandoning her baby in the street.

The 32-year-old woman was arrested Thursday afternoon on a charge of abuse or neglect of a disabled child, which was filed Wednesday in 3rd District Court. The charge carries a potential sentence of five years in prison.

The baby's grandparents say that the child is not disabled.

Her baby, no older than three months, was spotted by a passer-by asleep in a stroller on the sidewalk in front of 260 A Street about 5:30 a.m. Monday, said Salt Lake City police Detective Veronica Montoya at the time. Several hours later, the mother called the police looking for her son, according to the charges.

"She really didn't have an excuse [for officers]. That's why charges are being screened against the mother," Montoya said. The boy was placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.

Police did not arrest the mother until they screened the case with prosecutors.

The investigation showed that there was also drug paraphernalia in the diaper bag found with the stroller, according to the charges.

mmcfall@sltrib.comTwitter: @mikeypanda