Maryland Woman Arrested for Abandoning Toddler on Roadside

Maryland State Police say they have arrested a Talbot County woman after she left an 18- month-old child along the roadside.

29-year-old Elizabeth Newnam of Easton has been charged with second degree child abuse, one count of neglect of a minor, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of second degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct and driving under the influence. Newnam was arrested at the scene without incident. Authorities say she’s being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

The incident happened around 7 p.m. on Thursday when Troopers received a call from a motorists reporting a child left along the side of Maryland Route 328 near Asbury Drive in Denton, about thirty minutes from the border with Kent County, Delaware. An investigation indicates Newnam was standing outside of her vehicle when a motorists saw her throwing something into a nearby field. Investigators say it appears she was struck by a deer. Witnesses say they turned around to help Newnam, who returned to her vehicle and fled the scene. The witness remained at the scene, locating the child with visible injuries.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. yesterday, the Maryland State Police received a call from a motorist reporting that a child was left along the side of MD. Rt. 328 near Asbury Drive in Denton, MD. Troopers from the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack were immediately dispatched to the location.

Newnam was located at an address on Kingston Landing Road in Caroline County, with her one-year-old son in the vehicle. Investigators believe that son was in the vehicle when she dropped the 18-month-old child off on the roadside. Troopers noticed signs of possible impairment once they mad contact with her.

The 18-month-old child was transported to University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton. The Maryland Department of Social Services is assisting with the investigation.