by Brookfield, Wisconsin — A 44-year-old Wisconsin mother has admitted to abandoning her young son on the shoulder of a busy interstate highway after an argument over his school grades. The confrontation, which took place one year ago, has now resulted in a guilty plea and two years of probation.
Mother Pleads Guilty to Child Abandonment
According to court records, Flor Escalante, 44, entered a guilty plea on Thursday to child abandonment, a charge stemming from her decision to leave her 12-year-old son on the side of I-94 in November 2024. In exchange for her plea, a second charge — child neglect — was dismissed by the judge.
Escalante was officially sentenced to two years of probation, marking the end of a case that sparked outrage among parents, educators, and child-safety advocates across Wisconsin.
Incident Began as Argument Over Grades
On Nov. 8, 2024, Escalante was driving her son to the Sylvan Learning Center in Brookfield when the two began arguing about his academic performance. The situation escalated quickly, and Escalante pulled her vehicle onto the shoulder of Interstate 94, a high-speed, heavily traveled highway.
She then ordered her son to get out of the car and walk the remaining two miles to the tutoring center.
Outside temperatures were around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the boy was not dressed for the weather. He was also mere feet from traffic moving at 70 miles per hour. Multiple passing drivers dialed 911 after spotting a distressed child walking alone near the interstate.
911 Calls Describe a Frightened Child Near Traffic
Callers described seeing “a 10- or 12-year-old on the shoulder crying” who “didn’t know his mom or dad’s name.” The chaotic scene prompted officers to respond immediately, fearing the child might wander into traffic or suffer exposure.
Police located the boy and safely transported him to the Sylvan Learning Center, where Escalante was waiting. Her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the frantic 911 calls that had come in moments earlier.
Escalante’s Explanation to Police
When questioned, Escalante told officers she acted out of frustration, claiming her son “didn’t appreciate everything [she] did for him.” She said she forced him to walk “so he can understand what labor is.”
Escalante said she attempted to return for him but claimed she couldn’t locate him and ultimately drove to the learning center, assuming authorities would bring him back.
Her statements were included in the police report, which detailed her belief that the situation was simply a disciplinary exercise rather than a potentially life-threatening scenario.
Court Outcome and Community Reaction
Following her guilty plea, Escalante will serve two years on probation, with the expectation that she complies with supervision requirements and avoids further legal trouble. The dismissed neglect charge means she will not face additional jail time unless she violates probation.
The case has reignited conversations in Wisconsin about child safety, parental discipline, and the dangers of busy interstates like I-94, where even adults are at extreme risk due to high-speed vehicles and narrow shoulders.
Do you feel the sentence was fair? Should the court have imposed stricter consequences, or does probation make sense in this situation?
Share your thoughts in the comments — your voice matters.
