PD: Mom left kids home alone, smoked pot in their presence - KMSP-TV

Police have arrested a Mesa mom accused of smoking pot in front of her young children and leaving the kids home alone.

36-year-old Yvette Lopez faces five counts including child abuse, endangerment, and drug-related charges.

An officer went to her apartment on Tuesday near Main and Extension after a neighbor called police.

Her children, both 6 years old, told the officer this was the second time they had come home from school with no adults around.

The officer found a door that had been punched in, and the kids said their mother's boyfriend did it. He also found an empty pill bottle that the little boy explained was for "bud."

"It appears the mom and boyfriend had been using marijuana in front of the children," said Mesa Police Det. Steve Berry. "They were very aware of what it was, where it was kept, those sorts of things."

When she finally showed up two hours later, the officer arrested Lopez. She said she was out looking for a job.

Still, regardless of the reason, police say it's not safe for kids to be left alone.

CPS took custody of the children.