EUNICE, LA – Authorities charged a mother after she allegedly fabricated a story about her 5-year-old son’s kidnapping, which led to a complex investigation by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Artesia Quantaya Viges, 24, faces numerous charges, including felony cruelty of juveniles, misdemeanor child desertion, and felony false swearing for the purpose of violating public health or safety. Her bail is set at $200,000.

The case began in the early hours of November 5, when deputies responded to a reported kidnapping near the intersection of U.S. 190 and Industrial Road.

Viges informed authorities that her son had been abducted by individuals in an older truck while she was addressing a flat tire. However, upon arrival, deputies discovered inconsistencies in her account.

Shortly after the report, they learned the child had been found unattended by citizens in the parking lot of Heinen Medical Clinic, sustaining abrasions on his knees.

The boy was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detectives were then called to investigate the situation further.

In an interview with detectives, Viges revealed that her claim of kidnapping was unfounded. The investigation uncovered that the incident resulted from a disagreement between Viges and her son. The child had exited the vehicle before it stopped, leading to his injuries.

In a startling decision, Viges left the child to run alone in the dark along busy roadways without any attempt to locate him, eventually losing sight of her son. This negligent act prompted the authorities to file charges against her.

The sheriff’s office urges anyone with additional information about this incident to contact them directly or reach out to Crime Stoppers.