LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) The biological mother of an 8-year-old Las Cruces girl with developmental disabilities who was recently left alone in a wooden cage feared that the child might be abused. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the mother said in a 2007 petition that she feared the child's paternal aunt, Cindy Patriarchias, would ``become physically and verbally abusive'' with the girl.

The 37-old-year Patriarchias, who was the girl's guardian, was arrested last week for child abuse after authorities found the girl locked in a wooden cage while Patriarchias and her boyfriend were at a movie. According to the criminal complaint, Patriarchias' estranged husband told police he built the ``wooden cage'' to protect the girl. Patriarchias is free after posting her $8,000 secured bond.

It was unclear if she had hired an attorney.