LAS CRUCES — A Las Cruces mom was arrested after reportedly striking her 3-year-old boy and leaving several welts on his body. 

Martha G. Reyes, 31, was arrested Saturday, July 7, and is charged with one count of intentional child abuse, a third degree felony.

Las Cruces Police detectives learned that Saturday morning Reyes left her 3-year-old son with a babysitter who noticed severe bruising on the boy’s body.

Detectives said that at around 2 a.m. Friday, July 6, Reyes was awaken by her son who refused to go back to sleep. Reyes was apparently frustrated so she grabbed a sandal and struck the boy several times, leaving visible bruising to the 3-year-old’s buttocks, thigh and forearm.

The boy’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The boy has since been placed in the custody of other family members.

Reyes was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.