Investigators say around 10:30 Friday night, the mother and son were on the way to their Castle Brook Apartment home on US13 when she became angry with him. Police say she pulled over somewhere on the roadway and told the boy she didn't want him anymore.
Neighbors of the mother were horrified.
New Castle resident Crystal Hernandez tells us, "No I wouldn't have the heart to do that. She aint a mother, that's all I can say is that she aint a mother."
The 7-year-old was walking near Federal School Lane when a stranger spotted him on the unlit shoulder and called state police. The boy was still a little more than a mile from home.
Sgt. Paul Shavack of the Delaware State Police says, "[It's] very unsafe, it's unconscionable that the mother would let her child out, let alone a 7-year-child, at night on this major highway that's unlit."
Police don't know how far the boy walked before he was found or how long he was alone. It took them an hour to track Evans down at her apartment. During that time, they say she never reported her child missing.
No one answered the door at Evans' home Saturday night. She was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
A neighbor who has taken care of the boy in the past had tears in her eyes as she told Action News that Evans and her son moved in a few months ago.
"I'm very shocked," said the neighbor. "I'm really, I'm very shocked. Like I said he's an only child, he's outgoing; he's a smart little kid."
After what happened on the highway, Evans was released on a $500 secured bond. Her son is with other family members and the Division of Family Services has been notified.
