Catalina Clouser accused of leaving baby on top of car

10:50 AM, Jun 4, 2012   |    comments
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Phoenix, Ariz. (CNN/KTVK) -- A mother is facing charges after police in Phoenix say she forgot her baby on the roof of her car. The five-week-old was found in the street Saturday.

Police say 19-year-old Catalina Clouser put her own infant son in danger. Police say she smoked pot with some friends about 1 a.m., then she left but forgot something. Officer James Holmes says, "She put the baby on the top of the car, evidently to get in it. She didn't realize she hadn't put the baby inside and she drove off."

The 5-week-old was found in the middle of the intersection but luckily was still in the car seat and miraculously did not suffer any serious injuries.

A couple of hours beforehand, Clouser and her boyfriend smoked more marijuana at a nearby park. That time the boyfriend got behind the wheel with Clouser and the boy in the car to buy beer. But the boyfriend was pulled over and arrested for DUI. Clouser was apparently upset over the boyfriend's arrest and that's why she went to her friend's house to smoke pot again. Holmes says, "I can't believe I've got another parent out there anywhere that would put their child in this situation."

The boy is now in the custody of child protective services. Holmes says, "All around we're very fortunate that that baby is going to be okay."

The mother has been charged with aggravated DUI and child abuse.