Las Cruces, New Mexico – Disturbing bodycam footage reveals the arrest of 40-year-old Yavon Lardi, a mother accused of multiple counts of child abuse spanning several years. The incidents, captured on camera during separate encounters with Las Cruces police officers, depict a pattern of alleged violence and mistreatment towards her children.
The first arrest occurred after Lardi’s teenage son sought refuge in a library, reporting that his mother had struck him with a mop handle, leaving visible welts. According to police reports, the alleged assault stemmed from the teenager’s failure to adequately clean the backyard.
Bodycam footage shows officers arriving at the residence and placing Lardi under arrest. As they escort her to the patrol car, her distressed children can be heard pleading with the officers, expressing their concern for their mother.
Police officers arresting a woman outside her house
Despite her attempts to downplay the severity of the situation, Lardi is taken into custody, charged with child abuse, and subsequently released.
However, just three days later, police are called back to Lardi’s home for a separate child abuse allegation. This time, she is accused of forcing her children to smoke cigarettes, resulting in one child vomiting. Enraged by the incident, Lardi allegedly resorted to pepper spraying both children.
A close-up of a woman's face, visibly distressed
To apprehend Lardi, officers devise a plan to meet her at a nearby Walmart, where she believes she is simply answering questions related to the previous incident. Upon her arrival, officers reveal the true nature of their visit and place her under arrest.
Bodycam footage captures Lardi’s reaction as officers inform her of the new charges, showcasing her desperation as she pleads with them, fearing the loss of her job and separation from her children. She expresses disbelief, claiming that a judge had recently released her with strict stipulations following a previous arrest for child abuse related to her son’s vaping.
Further investigation into Lardi’s past reveals a long and disturbing history of child abuse allegations. Court documents indicate that she has faced at least 27 counts of child abuse since 2013. Witnesses allege that Lardi’s punishments often escalate to extreme levels, particularly after her marriage to Lorenzo Lardi, who has also faced child abuse charges.
A woman sitting in the back of a police car
Following her arrest at Walmart, Lardi is transported to jail and booked for child abuse. Court records confirm that she was released on bond the following day. The 40-year-old mother is scheduled to appear in court later this summer.
The case has sparked outrage and concern within the community, highlighting the devastating impact of child abuse and the importance of reporting any suspected cases to the authorities.
