Woman Arrested for Leaving Child in Back of Moving Truck with 39 Cats

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snowfall to Hit Ridgecrest and Surrounding Areas

Wrightwood Firefighters Rescue Stranded Individuals in Backcountry Snowstorms

OAKDALE – A mother was arrested for leaving her 11-year-old son inside the back cargo area of a moving truck in the 100-degree heat.

On Sunday, June 4, 2018, at around 4:00 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the Motel 6, located at 825 East F Street regarding a woman seeking aid for her sick cats. When police arrived they made contact with Heidi Gusman, 51. Authorities said that Gusman was in the lobby of the motel and was hysterical, attempting to get help for her sick cats. While officers were talking with Gusman, citizens heard loud banging noises coming from inside the moving truck.

Officers went to the truck to find out what the reported sounds were and found Gusman’s 11-year-old son and 39 cats inside the cargo area of the truck in significant distress from the heat. The temperature in Oakdale reached 102 degrees that day. Gusman was subsequently arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center for Child and Animal Cruelty.

Child Protective Services was contacted and the child was placed in their custody. Five of the cats died and the remaining 34 were taken to the Oakdale Pet Shelter.