A 12-year-old boy was killed by an alligator near his home in New Orleans after being left unattended, according to authorities. The child, Bryan Vasquez, was reported missing on August 14 but his body was discovered nearly two weeks later in a lagoon. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of death was blunt trauma consistent with an alligator attack and drowning.
Bryan’s mother, Hilda Vasquez, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. Investigators revealed a pattern of negligence, including prior incidents where Bryan had been found in distress. Authorities stated that the mother’s actions directly contributed to the boy’s death.
According to court records, Vasquez allegedly told investigators she gave Bryan sleep medication on August 13 and later left him unattended while she cared for her newborn. She reportedly allowed Bryan and his sister to stay home alone after dropping off another child at school, without checking on them. When Bryan went missing, an open window in their shared bedroom was discovered, leading to a days-long search.
Vasquez also admitted to two previous instances of Bryan running away before his final disappearance. Detectives noted conflicting statements from the mother, including claims that Bryan had been found naked and drinking from a drainage ditch days earlier. The case has drawn widespread condemnation for the failure to protect the child.