( CNN ) -- A California mother is scheduled to appear in court on Monday after being accused of wrapping a chain around her son 's ankles and locking it . Irma Navarro , 37 , was arrested last week on suspicion of willful child cruelty , according to a statement from the Santa Ana Police Department . She remains in custody . Navarro allegedly shackled her son because she did not want him `` running the streets and getting into trouble or mixed up with the wrong group of kids while she was at work , '' the statement said . It was not immediately clear whether Navarro had retained representation . Officers found the child , 10 , in the courtyard of an apartment complex . He had a long chain wrapped around his ankles , they reported . The chain was locked and had to be removed with bolt cutters . A witness told police she and a friend had noticed the boy leaning against a tree and crying . She asked how the chain and lock got around his ankles , and he allegedly told her , `` My mom did this to me , '' police said . Navarro has three children . Another one of her children was being watched by a baby sitter , while the third was at school at the time of the incident , police said . All three have been placed in protective custody by social services .
Irma Navarro , 37 , is scheduled to appear in court Monday . She was booked on suspicion of willful child cruelty . Her three children have been placed in protective custody .