Mother who left son roadside gets suspended sentence

A Richmond woman who left her 8-year-old son on the side of a Dinwiddie County road after arguing with him about his performance in a bicycle race was convicted yesterday of contributing to his delinquency and given a 12-month suspended jail term.

Leanne Denise Casolaro, 38, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge, reduced from felony child neglect, in Dinwiddie Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A judge sentenced her to 12 months in jail but suspended the entire term.

She also was ordered to submit written reports every 90 days about her progress while undergoing a year's mental-health counseling, which she has begun, said Dinwiddie Commonwealth's Attorney Lisa Caruso.

The Dinwiddie Department of Social Services will check on her over the next seven years, Caruso said. Casolaro had no prior criminal record, Caruso added.

A charge of reckless driving was dismissed after Casolaro made restitution for damage in a wreck she caused while looking for her son after abandoning him.

State police arrested Casolaro after the Aug. 30 incident with her son in the 7000 block of Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie. According to police, Casolaro's son had competed in a BMX race that day at the Virginia Motorsports Park.

While returning from the event, Casolaro argued with her son about his performance, forced him from the car and drove away.

Witnesses saw the incident, temporarily took custody of the child and called police. Casolaro soon returned to the scene but could not find her son. While making a U-turn during her search, she collided with another vehicle, police said.

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