By HALEY MADDEN
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX -- A mother was arrested and charged with child abuse after she put beer in her child's cup at a restaurant, police said Thursday.
Police were called to Peter Piper Pizza on Tuesday night in Phoenix, where they were told Valerie Marie Topete, 36, had poured what was believed to be beer from a pitcher into her 2-year-old's cup, said James Holmes, a Phoenix police spokesman.
Police also were told that the child did drink from the cup and, at one point, Topete left the child alone at the table with alcohol in the cup, police said.
Police interviewed Topete about the claims and she explained that the 2-year-old "kept reaching" for the pitcher of beer. The 36-year-old originally told officers her son did not drink any of the beer, but she later made comments indicating he may have, Holmes said.
The boy was taken to a hospital for precautionary measures, Holmes said.
The 2-year-old was released to his father. The boy's father and two siblings, ages 4 and 8, were all at the restaurant, Holmes said.
Topete was booked on one count of child abuse, police said.