UPDATED WITH MOTHER'S EXPLANATION: Buckled-up gas can draws disbelief on Facebook

AURORA, Colo. (AP) - A photo a suburban Denver police officer took during a traffic stop is drawing comments of disbelief on Facebook, where the Colorado Department of Transportation posted it.

Aurora police Lt. Chuck DeShazer tells KMGH-TV in Denver the photo wasn't staged. It shows a toddler in a vehicle not wearing a seat belt, sitting beside a car seat with a gasoline can strapped in it. Colorado law requires children under age 8 to be in child safety seats in cars.

DeShazer says an Aurora officer took the photo last week after stopping the vehicle for making an improper turn. The officer found that the toddler, a 14-year-old passenger, and the driver weren't wearing seat belts.

Police say the driver was ticketed. The driver's name wasn't released.

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Online:

http://www.facebook.com/coloradodot

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Mom of boy in buckled-up gas can photo fires back

AURORA, Colo. (AP) - A mother of a toddler who was photographed in a car not buckled up, with a gasoline can in the car seat next to him, says the photo is a big misunderstanding.

The Colorado Department of Transportation posted the photo on Facebook this week. Aurora police Lt. Chuck DeShazer has said the photo wasn't staged.

DeShazer says an officer snapped the photo last week after stopping the vehicle for making an improper turn. The officer found that the toddler, a 14-year-old passenger, and the driver weren't properly restrained. Driver Sandra Ramirez was ticketed.

Ramirez told KUSA-TV in Denver on Wednesday (http://on9news.tv/MeIEsZ ) her son was in the car seat but wiggled out while she spoke to the officer, and the teen then put the gas can in the car seat.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.