Plea Entered in Case of Abandoned Baby

A 22-year-old woman accused of leaving her 10-month-old baby on the side of the road pleaded innocent Friday to felony charges of child endangerment and abandonment.

Lori Carlson of Santa Ana faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison if convicted of the crimes.

Municipal Judge Thomas J. Hutchins set bail at $25,000, denying a request by Carlson’s lawyer that she be released on her own recognizance.

Deputy Public Defender Susan Olson said Carlson is distraught over what has happened and hopes to regain custody of the baby, Brittany, and her 3-year-old daughter Alicia.

“She was just pushed beyond her limit by not receiving support for the children from either of the fathers,” Olson said.

The children were placed in the custody of Carlson’s parents during a Superior Court hearing earlier on Friday.

According to authorities, Carlson and the baby’s father, Wayne M. Jefferds, 30, of Corona, began arguing at the Oxnard Lodge Motel Tuesday evening over financial support for Brittany.

Jefferds left, and Carlson put both children in her car and followed him south on the Pacific Coast Highway, police said.

Carlson then pulled over, set the baby about three feet from the road and sped away, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lela M. Henke-Dobroth said.

A witness driving behind Carlson stopped and picked up the baby.

A preliminary hearing for Carlson was scheduled for June 14.