Her family says the incident is a misunderstanding, and that Mery Quinde-Castro is a good mother.

Mery Quinde-Castro is accused of using the leash on her son’s backpack to tie him to an evergreen bush, and left him there for about a half-hour before concerned neighbors called police.

Family members say that the child suffers from behavioral issues and did not want to come inside with his mother.

Rosa Quinde-Castro, the accused mother’s sister, claims that the leashing technique is commonly used in her family to prevent the boy from running away. Rosa Quinde-Castro paid for her sister’s $2,500 bail.

Mery Quinde-Castro will be in court on Thursday to address the misdemeanor charge. In the meantime, the 4-year-old boy is in the custody of another sister. The mother has full visitation rights.