Mom arrested for giving child beer in a sippy cup

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PHOENIX, July 6 (UPI) -- A Phoenix mother was arrested and charged with child abuse after she allegedly gave her 2-year-old beer at a restaurant, police say.

The incident happened at Peter Piper Pizza Tuesday night, The Arizona Republic reported.

Police were told a woman, identified as Valerie Marie Topete, 36, poured beer from a pitcher into her son's cup, said James Holmes, a Phoenix police spokesman. Police were also told the youngster drank from the cup and at one point was left alone at the table with the alcohol in his cup.

When questioned by police, Topete said she gave her son the beer because he "kept reaching" for the pitcher, police said.

The 2-year-old was taken to a hospital for precautionary measures and later released to his father, Holmes said.

Topete was arrested and charged with one count of child abuse, police said.