Pair of Child-Endangering Parents Encounter Unique Babysitters for their Two Infants
Photo: Joseph Salas
LAKE ELSINORE – What parents wouldn’t want the best care for their children? A surprising discovery was made when two parents returned to their motel to find a dedicated member of Law Enforcement cradling one of their two infants in his arms.
One of the unaccompanied under-age-three infants had been strolling alone at night in a motel parking lot – in nothing but his diaper. A concerned individual’s 9:05 PM call on October 8th dispatched Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Deputies to a quick rescue of the one-year-old at 31781 Casino Drive, Lake Elsinore.
While Deputies attempted to locate the parents, they found an open motel-room door leading to an all-alone two-year-old.
“Thirty minutes later the father of the children, Joseph Salas (50) of Temecula, arrived,” said Sergeant Jeff Reese. “Salas and the children were transported to the station. The mother, Tamara Ross (32) of Temecula, arrived at the station a short time later.”
Investigators learned that the little ones had been left alone for over three hours. Additionally, said Sgt. Reese, “Joseph Salas was under the influence of marijuana and Tamara Ross drove to the station while under the influence of alcohol.”
Child Protective Services arrived soon after to take custody of the children. The dad was arrested for felony child endangerment plus being under the influence of marijuana in public. The mom was arrested for felony child endangerment as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.
The under-the-influence parents were transported to Cois Byrd Detention Center.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with additional information to call Corporal Brown at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300 or Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099.
