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Woman Arrested On Child Abuse, DUI Charges After Leaving Toddler Alongside The Road

DENTON, Md. (WJZ) — State Police arrested a Talbot County woman Thursday after she left an 18-month-old child along the roadside.

Troopers from the Easton Barrack were dispatched to Rt. 328 near Asbury Dr. in Denton just after 7 p.m. after receiving a call from a motorist about a child that had been left along the side of the road.

A preliminary investigation showed that 29-year-old Elizabeth Newnam was standing outside of her car when a motorist driving by saw her throwing something into a nearby field.

Elizabeth Newnam
Elizabeth Newnam photo courtesy of the Maryland State Police Department

A witness told investigators that it looked like Newnam had hit a deer and that when they turned around to help Newnam, she had quickly fled the scene.

After walking over to where Newnam had just been, the witness found a child with visible injuries.

Moments later, troopers found Newnam inside of her car with her 1-year-old son on Rt. 328 at Kingston Landing Rd. not far from the location where she had left the 18-month-old.

Newman had detectable signs of possible impairment and was taken into custody without incident.

The 18-month-old child was taken to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton.

Newnam is charged with second-degree child abuse, neglect of a minor, reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, and driving under the influence.

She is currently being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

The investigation is currently ongoing.

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