A 12-year-old boy was killed by an alligator near his home in New Orleans after being reported missing on August 14. His body was found nearly two weeks later in a lagoon, with the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office confirming blunt trauma consistent with an alligator attack and drowning. The mother of Bryan Vasquez has been charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.
Authorities revealed that the mother, Hilda Vasquez, allegedly left Bryan and his sister unattended while she took her younger son to school. She reportedly failed to update the school about their new address, leaving the children without transportation. Detectives noted conflicting statements from Vasquez, including claims that Bryan had previously run away and was found naked drinking from a drainage ditch days before his disappearance. The mother’s actions were described as part of a “pattern of negligence” by law enforcement, who stated she assumed Bryan was asleep when she left him at home.
The case has drawn scrutiny after the boy’s sister reported him missing around 10 a.m., leading to the discovery of an open window in their shared bedroom. Investigators cited repeated failures in supervision as contributing factors to the tragedy.
