Lucia Victoria Marie Cruz, 35, faces charges after allegedly allowing her underage child to trek 19 miles to school while she was intoxicated, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The child, who lacked a phone or emergency contact, walked from a West Side neighborhood to school amid desert-like conditions, forcing them off-road due to cactus and brush. Authorities were alerted when a witness spotted the child near traffic, prompting a welfare check.

Cruz reportedly admitted to drinking the night before and passing out, later confirming she knew the child walked to school. A school resource officer and CPS were notified, and the child’s father, who holds custody under a legal agreement, arrived at the school.