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, and his body was found two weeks later in a lagoon. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as blunt trauma consistent with an alligator attack and drowning.

Bryan’s mother, Hilda Vasquez, has been charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. Investigators allege a pattern of negligence by Vasquez, including prior instances where Bryan went missing and was found in distress. During a press briefing, Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon stated that authorities believe the mother’s actions led to “undue pain and suffering” for the boy.

According to court records, Vasquez reportedly gave Bryan sleep aid medication on August 13 and later claimed he wandered into the kitchen at night. She allegedly left him unsupervised while she attended to her newborn, allowing him to remain alone at home. Detectives noted conflicting statements from Vasquez, including claims that Bryan had run away days before his disappearance. Authorities also revealed that he had previously been found naked near a drainage ditch in August.

The case has drawn attention to the mother’s alleged failures, with investigators citing her decision to leave the children unmonitored as a critical factor in the tragedy.