Cleveland mom tells police she would rather be drinking than pick her 9-year-old up from day care

CLEVELAND - A Cleveland mom was arrested after she drove with a suspended license to pick up her 9-year-old son hours after the day care closed, telling police she would rather be drinking.

When the 38-year-old mother didn't show up Tuesday by 6:45 p.m. to the Puritas Avenue day care center, workers there called police.

Roughly two hours later, at 8:30 p.m., the mother arrived to the closed day care to take her son home.

When she was questioned about her tardiness by police, the report said the mom told an officer why should she pick up her child when she can be drinking?

Police also learned that the mother was driving with a suspended license.

The boy's father told the day care that he was unable to pick up his son until 8 p.m. that night. A worker at the daycare said they tried several times to reach the mother, but were not successful. The boy's father reached out to the woman, prompting her to show up to the day care facility.

As police tried to take the mother's car, the woman locked her keys inside. It was towed anyway, according to the report.

The child's father said his son stayed with him that night and went to school on Wednesday. The father is planning on seeking custody of the young boy.