Woman denies locking children out to go to pub

A woman who allegedly locked two children out of their Hamilton home while she went off to the pub has denied the police version of events.

A two-year-old naked girl and a 10-year-old boy were found wandering about 9.30pm on Saturday.

Police said the girl's 31-year-old mother locked them out because she wanted to go into town. She told them to find their way to the home of an uncle.

The pair could not find the uncle's house. They eventually knocked on the door of a house and asked for a ride. The shocked residents took them inside and called police.

Police said the mother became abusive when confronted at a hotel.

However, a woman today called the Waikato Times claiming to the the mother and disputing the police version of events.

She said she had been drinking but fled her Bader St home after a violent argument with her ex-partner.

"I left because I was getting the bash. He was slamming me up against the door ... (My ex-partner) was still at the house when I left.

"I left with my other son and rang my Dad to pick me up from the Bader St shops ... if I hadn't left I would've been beaten up even more, she told the paper.

She said she had met CYF and other officials on Monday and had her children returned to her.

Police told the Waikato Times they were no longer commenting on the case as it was under investigation.

- NZPA