Police: 10-year-old locked out of house while mom went to Christmas party

CARY, North Carolina -- A woman has been arrested after being accused of leaving her 10-year-old son outside so she could attend a Christmas party.

Police said 43-year-old Susan Dowless locked her son out of their home in freezing temperatures Monday.

Records show Dowless didn't give her child adequate clothing, nourishment, or supervision while she and other relatives went to a party for almost four hours.

While temperatures hovered around 38 degrees, officers said the boy suffered no ill effects from the exposure.

Dowless was charged with misdemeanor child abuse and booked under a $5,000 bond.

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

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