Mother accused of forcing kids to push car out of ditch

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police arrested a Houston mother for child abuse after investigators say she forced her two kids to push their vehicle out of a ditch following a hit-and-run Sunday night.

Police say Sierra Arredondo, 23, is charged with DWI with child passengers, failure to stop and render aid, and injury to child. She is being held for a total bond of $12,000.

Arredondo's children, ages 8 and 9 years old, told police their mother drove her SUV into a ditch, and then forced them to push the car out.

According to police, the kids say Arredondo became violent when they were not pushing the vehicle hard enough. The children say Arredondo slapped her son in the face, pulled her daughter's hair and used abusive language.

Before her car went into a ditch, witnesses say the mother was in a car accident on Sweetbriar Road. One of the drivers involved says Arredondo fled the scene. The witness followed the woman to her home before contacting authorities.