From Staff Reports

A woman was arrested after leaving a toddler along the roadside, according to Maryland State Police.

A witness saw the Talbot County woman threw the 18-month-old child in a field, according to police.

Elizabeth Newnam, 29, of Easton, Maryland, was charged Thursday with one count of second-degree child abuse and one count of neglect of a minor, state police said.

At about 7 p.m. Feb. 28, the Maryland State Police received a call from a motorist reporting that a child was left along the side of Route 328 near Asbury Drive in Denton, Maryland.

The preliminary investigation indicates Newnam was standing outside of her vehicle when a motorist driving saw her throwing something into a nearby field.

Thinking she struck a deer, the witness told investigators that they turned their vehicle around to help Newnam, who returned to her vehicle and fled the scene. The witness walked over to where Newnam had been standing and found a boy with visible injuries.

The witness contacted the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack and provided the vehicle color, make and registration. Using the information, troopers soon after located Newnam inside her vehicle not far from the location where she initially left the 18-month-old.

Newnam was located on Route 328 at Kingston Landing Road with her other 1-year-old son in the vehicle with her. State police investigators believe Newnam’s son was in the vehicle when she dropped the 18-month-old child off on the side of the road. Troopers detected signs she was possibly impaired, police said.

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Caroline County emergency personnel took the 18-month-old to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.

Newnam was arrested at the scene without incident and taken to the Easton Barrack for processing.

She also faces charges of reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence.

Newnam was later transported to the Caroline County Detention Center, where she was being held without bond Friday.

The Maryland Department of Social Services is involved and the investigation is ongoing.

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