A mother in Victorville may face criminal charges after a test drive turned dangerous, injuring both herself and her infant when she allowed her 12-year-old to move the family vehicle.
The incident happened around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday at the Rancho Seneca apartment complex, a gated community near the 15 Freeway, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said the mother — whose identity was not released — was supervising her child while the 12-year-old attempted to move the car into a parking space. The woman stood nearby, holding her baby in her arms.
As the tween maneuvered the car, the open door hit the mother, knocking her to the ground and causing her to drop the infant.
Officials said the baby sustained head injuries and was airlifted roughly 45 miles south to Loma Linda University Medical Center. The condition of the infant has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear if the mother sustained additional injuries.
The Sheriff’s Department described the incident as “cruelty to a child” but has not confirmed if the case has been referred to the district attorney for possible prosecution.
Neither the Sheriff’s Department nor the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office responded to requests for further comment.
