Ansonia-WTNH, 08/06/2003

ANSONIA, Connecticut, USA: The parents of a five-year-old autistic boy were arrested on June 8 after he was found two miles from their Ansonia home at a doughnut shop in Seymour with the family's cat.

Erika Torres, 24, and Eliezer Torres, 27, were charged with risk of injury to a minor, a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison. They were released on bail and are to appear in court later this month.

Erika Torres told WTNH-TV that her son, Jacob, had left the house before. She said she and her husband had put new locks on the front door and blocked the back door with a bookcase.

Erika Torres said she had been taking a shower at about 10 a.m. when her husband came home and said he could not find the boy. She called 911 at about the same time a witness called police to report seeing the boy.

"I was freaking out," Erika Torres said. "I was blaming my husband. I was blaming myself. I felt horrible. I'm like, how did I let this happen?"

Jacob was found unharmed. He was taken to Griffin Hospital for observation and released.

Erika Torres said it was difficult raising an autistic child. She played down the arrests of herself and her husband. "I'd prefer not to have it on my record," she said. "But as long as he's safe, I don't care what happens to us."

Jacob was diagnosed with autism last year. The Torres's now say they will buy a lock for his room.