Richmond mother charged with leaving son, 8, on side of road

A Richmond woman was charged during the weekend with leaving her 8-year-old son on the side of the road after arguing with him about his performance in a BMX bicycle race, state police said.

Leanne Denise Casolaro, 38, was charged with felony child neglect and reckless driving. The latter charge stems from a wreck that authorities say she caused while looking for her child after abandoning him.

The incident occurred Sunday about 4 p.m. in the 7000 block of Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie County, after the woman's son competed in a BMX race that day at the Virginia Motorsports Park, said Sgt. Thomas Molnar, a police spokesman.

While returning from the event, Casolaro started arguing with her son about his performance, forced him from the car and drove away. Nearby witnesses saw the incident and temporarily took custody of the child while calling police, Molnar said.

Casolaro soon returned to the scene to get her son but could not locate him.

While attempting to make a U-turn during her search, she collided with another vehicle, Molnar said.

No one was hurt.

State troopers investigated the crash and the child's abandonment after arriving on the scene, Molnar said. Local social services officials were contacted.

Casolaro was been released on bond pending her next court appearance.

Contact Mark Bowes at (804) 649-6450 or .