Authorities say a Texas woman was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and aggravated DWI after she and her two young children got stuck in the southern New Mexico desert.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department said 39-year-old Melissa Arroyos of El Paso failed field sobriety tests and was arrested after she and her children ages 1 and 2 were found in an inoperable SUV early Friday evening 56 miles (90 kilometers) north of El Paso.
According to the department, Arroyos said she decided to "take a shortcut through the desert" while driving to Santa Fe in northern New Mexico
The department said the children were treated for dehydration and turned over to a family member.
It's not clear whether Arroyos has an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
