Petaluma mom nearing court hearing in wandering child case

<p>Prosecutors said Monday they will call eight witnesses at the preliminary hearing for a Petaluma woman whose 2-year-old daughter was found wandering the streets, more than a mile from home.</p><p>Ana Laura Rendon, 23, is charged with felony child endangerment in the June 20 incident that apparently happened as she slept off a night of heavy drinking.</p><p>Rendon was arrested a day after the child was found by residents who heard crying outside their downtown home and police conducted a door-to-door search for the parents.</p><p>So far, neither police nor prosecutors have been able to explain how the toddler got so far from home. Defense attorneys have argued Rendon committed no crime and suggested the child may have been taken by a third party.</p><p>Rendon rejected a misdemeanor plea agreement. She is in the county jail on a federal immigration hold and is facing deportation.</p><p>A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 26 before Judge Arthur Wick. Prosecutor Tania Partida said Monday she will call investigating officers to testify but no civilian witnesses. The hearing is expected to take two hours.</p>