A Mariposa resident was riding her horse in a remote area of Hites Cove Road within the Sierra National Forest in Mariposa County when she came across a vehicle stuck off the roadway. After calling out towards the vehicle, the rider noticed a three year old girl and a dog inside. The little girl was wearing only a T-Shirt and was very cold to the touch so the rider took off her jacket and wrapped up the little girl before loading her onto her horse. The rider then worked her way back up the roadway to an area that had cell phone reception.
Mariposa County Sheriff Deputies arrived on scene and after speaking with the little girl it was determined that a Search and Rescue response was needed to locate the little girl’s mother. A California Highway Patrol helicopter H40 responded to the scene as well to assist with the search mission.
A Mariposa County Sheriff Deputy searching the area located the mother, Heather Escandon, 27, of Coarsegold, hiding in the bushes. At the scene, Heather Escandon was uncooperative with investigating deputies, however, she told deputies she became stuck in the area last Sunday and left on foot sometime on Tuesday to look for help, leaving the little girl overnight in the vehicle.
While speaking with the woman, it was determined that she was under the influence of a stimulant, believed to be methamphetamine.
Heather Escandon was arrested and is currently being held at the Mariposa County Adult Detention Facility on charges of:
273A(A) PC – Felony Child Abuse
11550(A) HS – Misdemeanor – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Bail is set at $35,000.
The little girl was transported to John C. Fremont Hospital for evaluation and released to her father.
Source: Mariposa County Sheriff Department
