Mother gets probation after toddler crossed highway

A Carson City mother will serve the next three years on probation after her 3-year-old son was found Oct. 12 across a busy highway at night.

Cheryl Gomes, 42, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of gross misdemeanor child neglect and was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and three years probation by District Judge Bill Maddox.

Gomes' son was found in front of Glen Eagles Restaurant west of Highway 395 about 6:30 p.m. According to police, he had apparently walked about a one-quarter mile and across five lanes of highway from his home at the Parkway Manor Apartments on Broadleaf Lane.

The boy remains in the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services. Deputy District Attorney Kristin Luis said Gomes is allowed supervised visits with her son and the state is working toward reuniting the family.

"She's doing really well," Luis said.