Texas mom charged after sick son found in trunk

A health official gathering information from people at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site in Houston last week discovered what appeared to be a child inside one of the vehicles’ trunks.

The driver of the vehicle, Sarah Beam, a 41-year-old high school teacher, confirmed that it was her 13-yearold son in the trunk, according to the health official. Beam explained that her son had tested positive for the coronavirus, so she put him in the trunk to avoid exposure on her way to the site to have him tested again, the official said.

Beam is now facing a felony charge of endangering a child, according to court records. On Sunday, she was released on a $1,500 bond. Beam did not immediately return a message seeking comment late Monday, and court records do not list her attorney. She is due in court on Thursday.

Beam is a teacher at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, KHOU reported. Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District did not immediately respond to questions from The Washington Post early Tuesday. In a statement to CNN, the school district said it was aware of the criminal charge against Beam, who is now on administrative leave.

“Thankfully, the child was not harmed,” the statement added.

On Monday, signs and letters expressing support for Beam were hung outside her home, KTRK reported. According to the news station, one letter read: “... the people who know Ms. Beam know the intentions in her heart and value her work and dedication in everything she does. I hope all these misunderstandings go away soon, and the truth comes out.”