Teacher's Aide Accused of Abandoning Daughter

A Temecula elementary school teacher's aide who allegedly abandoned her 12-year-old daughter in a car, where the child was discovered naked and famished, was released from jail today.

Tracy Lynn Betts, 40, was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of child endangerment after deputies discovered her daughter alone in a vehicle parked near Vail Elementary School, where the suspect works, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Betts stayed overnight at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta and was released after posting a $15,000 bond, jail records show.

According to sheriff's officials, concerned residents in the 29000 block of Avenida De Calzada called 911 when they spotted a girl walking in the area unclothed, rummaging for food in garbage cans.

Deputies searched the neighborhood and found the girl nude in a car. After questioning her, they learned her mother was working at the elementary school, where Betts was arrested without incident, authorities said.

The child was taken to a hospital for treatment and placed in the care of Riverside County Child Protective Services personnel.

An April 12 court date was set, according to sheriff's jail records.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:04 p.m.