THE mother of an autistic boy killed by an alligator was previously convicted of abusing him when he was just three months old, it has emerged.
Bryan Vasquez, 12, was reported missing last month, sparking a frantic search that spanned more than a week.
Bryan Vasquez, 12, was found dead in a lagoon – more than a week after he left his mom’s home
Cops believe he suffered injuries consistent with an alligator attack
Hilda Vasquez has been accused of negligence
The boy, who lived in New Orleans, is believed to have drowned after being attacked by an , according to cops. His body was found in a lagoon.
Cops determined how Bryan died but refused to say if foul play was involved. His mom, Hilda, was arrested on September 7.
She faces charges of cruelty to children and negligent homicide.
But, cops shared details about Hilda’s background and disclosed her previous convictions.
Bryan was left with a fractured skull, broken legs and a collapsed lung, Nicholas Gernon, the deputy superintendent of the New Orleans police department, said.
And Hilda was convicted of abusing her child.
“There has been a pattern of both negligence and abuse over Bryan’s 12 years,” Gernon said.
“We believe that we can prove that that pattern of negligence and abuse led to … undue pain and suffering on his part.”
Social services removed Bryan from her care, but he later returned.
Cops have vowed to get justice for him.
Bryan was reported missing on August 14 and Hilda claimed he climbed out of a bedroom window wearing an adult diaper.
Details about the timeline surrounding his disappearance have also started to emerge.
At around 5:20am local time, he was reportedly seen on surveillance footage walking down a street, per NOLA.com .
Then, he was caught on camera walking in the Sevres Street area around an hour later.
New Orleans statement on Bryan's death
“The City of New Orleans is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Vasquez, a beloved child whose life, though far too short, left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Bryan was a bright, charismatic, and energetic young boy whose joy and spirit touched the lives of his family, friends, and community.
“The City also extends its gratitude to the New Orleans Police Department, the Cajun Navy, and all agencies and volunteers who came together to support the Vasquez family during this difficult time.
“Bryan’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him, and his light will continue to shine as a reminder of resilience, innocence, and love.
“May he rest in God’s eternal peace.”
Source: City of New Orleans
He was seen near a property and his diaper had been discarded in that area.
Sevres Street is located around a half mile from Beaucaire Street, where Hilda’s home is located.
Bryan, who was non-verbal, was only reported missing around five hours after Hilda said he had left her home.
And, cops didn’t swoop on the scene until after 3pm that day.
The search for Bryan was launched, and state cops issued their first ever Level II alert.
The alert is reserved for children who may be endangered.
Bryan’s mysterious disappearance sparked a search effort that involved different agencies.
It began with New Orleans cops putting appeals out for tips to US Cajun Navy officials searching waterways.
Officials were seen on airboats and law enforcement turned to bloodhounds as they desperately tried to find Bryan.
And, sophisticated technology such as thermal drones were also deployed.
FRANTIC SEARCH
Kristiane Morales-Fajardo, a family friend, vowed volunteers wouldn’t stop in their efforts to find Bryan.
“We need to find him,” she said at the time of his disappearance.
“We need to be turning over every garbage can, every tire, everything out here in the city. We need to cut down every grass that’s overgrown.
“We need every light to be turned on. We need more, and we’re not going to stop.”
Morales-Fajardo called on the authorities to issue an
Bryan’s body was found on August 26 and it was spotted by a Cajun Navy volunteer.
Two alligators had stored the boy’s body underwater and cops suspected he had drowned.
Cops turned their attention to Hilda and her phone was seized.
She was arrested weeks after her son’s body was found.
She made her first appearance in court on Monday following her arrest.
Hilda reportedly begged officials to give her time so she could find a lawyer to represent her.
Magistrates have ordered her to stay away from her three other kids.
His disappearance sparked a search that involved different agencies and volunteers 
