Hey. Hello. All right. What's going on? >> You don't need that money. >> No. My daughter My daughter. >> Don't Don't. >> On December 13th, 2023, officers from the Clearwater Police Department responded to a disturbing report of a woman found unconscious in the driver's seat of a running vehicle with her daughter sitting in the passenger seat. [music] At the scene, officers would come face to face with the mother, 35-year-old Raquel Christine Anderson, and begin uncovering what had transpired that day. >> Hey. Hello. She's awake. [laughter] >> All right. What's going on? >> That's what I was just saying. >> You don't need that money. No, my daughter. My daughter. >> Don't Don't listen. >> Don't touch it. Don't touch that. >> I don't know what that is. >> Just did that to you. >> Who is this? Your kid? >> Okay. >> All right. >> Raquel was found unconscious by a concerned bystander who immediately called the police after noticing the child inside the vehicle. When officers approached her, Rquel attempted to appear in control, but as she reached down to pick up a small baggie from the ground, it immediately raised red flags among the officers. >> My husband? Well, we live in Cle. I came down here to go to the bank. >> Bank. Okay. Do you know where you're at? >> Yeah, I'm in Cle. >> Okay. >> I'm calling my husband. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Where's your husband at? >> My husband probably at work right now. >> Where she work at? >> He work at um CNC and T Springs. >> Okay. No, I haven't. >> Do you have any identification on you? Baby, this is your baby. Got a good setup in here. It looks good. What had initially raised suspicion now became a clear confirmation. What Rackle reached for was not money, as it earlier seemed, but narcotics. Beyond the alarming condition in which she was found, the fact that a child was left inside a vehicle with substances openly exposed was a reckless act, one that officers could not ignore. >> Can you call your husband real quick? girlfriend. >> So I can talk to him. Your car for me. >> Wait, mama. >> Hey, sweetheart. >> Florida. >> [snorts] >> Where do you guys live at? >> We live at Holiday. >> Holiday? >> Yeah. >> What are you doing up here? >> Hey, man. Um I got twins here. >> I had um a bank right here, but they don't have one in Pasco. So, I came down here to get some money from the bank, but I had just got here in a [ __ ] time. So, I called somebody that I know here at the hospital. See if they can um just throw me a couple bucks. So, tomorrow I was going to come back down here. >> Hold on. Who? Hello. >> Hey, this is Officer Beerus, Clearwater Police Department. >> Um, are do you have a way to get to where your daughter and I guess your baby mama is? >> Yes. >> We have some things we need to address and I need you to come here for your daughter. cuz we we need to get someone here for your body right now cuz your wife is in no state you're not under arrest but you are being detained right now there there's we need to work out your wife is in no state to be with your daughter >> or taking care of your daughter >> as it became clear that Raquel was not in her full state of mind and that the child had spent a long period with her mother unconscious. Officers knew they had to act quickly. What the child may have been exposed to inside the car remained unclear, but the danger was evident. >> Hello, >> ma'am. >> How are you? >> I'm fine. >> Mind if I come talk to you for a minute? >> Yeah. >> Can you step out for me? >> It's okay to come out. They told me not to get out before. >> Yeah. Yeah. We were just waiting. You can get out now, though. >> Okay. >> Officer Gordono here is going to hang out with your daughter. What's her name? >> Oh, no. I don't want to. You can put her right on the seat. I just We need to talk to you. Okay. >> Your husband's almost here. >> Okay. >> Come on. >> Come on. You want to get out the car anyway. Come on. Come on. >> How about this? >> How's this going tonight? >> All right. What's going on here tonight? >> I was just saying. Okay, so I told you that I came up this way around about 3:15. I was going to make about 4:00. I was maybe here about 4:00. They had just left just came here waiting on to the store came that day for over. >> Okay. Were you all you had you had of course pretty much knocked out the car? I mean, we we came back and we took a nap. I mean, >> we always I mean, we go we go down to the water. >> Oh, well, y'all probably close to like two and a half, three hours now. >> But my mouth is probably down. I'm sorry. I said I'm first right now. We got Wendy's and French fries and just rolled down here. Um, now I haven't had anything. >> I mean, usually around that time is her nap time. So telling her it didn't take a long enough um by the time I mean you guys showed up at what about 5 or so that's using her nail. >> Um nothing nothing illegal like that. >> I was talking I don't know he text was outside of the car. He was like, "It's back yours." And I seen the money and I seen the new part. So I'm like, "Yeah." And then it was other I mean it's other stuff down there. So >> okay. >> Raquel tried to explain that she had gone to the bank and insisted she was clean that night while attempting to deceive the officers by acting like an innocent mother. She failed to realize that they could read far more from her behavior than she believed. That became even clearer when she failed the sobriety test as her actions told the story she was trying to avoid. Minutes later, the father arrived at the scene and his reaction reflected just how serious the situation truly was. >> All right. Walk over to your daughter and I'll explain everything going on up there. Do you have a license or >> do you have a license? I got a license. No, I do not. >> Okay. But I don't need to see if you I I'll get it later. Just we're just going to have to toy the car in that situation. Um, >> so a little bit. >> So just to give you kind of >> as to why we're here, we got someone came up to I was working the we contracted the hospital. >> Someone came up. I guess your wife was um >> passed out pretty hard on the wheel and the your daughter was kind of just jumping around the car. >> He tried to wake her up. Couldn't wake her up. Came and got us time we got here. She had a pretty decent amount of with her and she is pretty uh pretty impaired. Um that's so that that's that's where we're going uh with it. Unfortunately, there's a kid involved and we we have no discretion when it comes to children at all. I definitely understand that. >> God forbid she drove like in the state she's in all the way to holiday. >> Yeah. >> With your your daughter strapped in in the front seat. That's that's a that's bad news all day, you know. >> Yeah. >> Do you want to get her bundled up or something? And then >> we still have a blanket in the car. >> Let me grab it cuz we just I haven't looked through the car yet. So, let me >> There's one right here. >> You said you do have your ID on you. >> Yes, sir. >> Let me just grab that from you. Need >> to hold it. If you want you want us. Are you going to take him? >> I don't know. That's why I have to stay just in case. >> Yeah, cuz if he doesn't have a license, I can't let him take the car. >> You got a license? >> No. >> Okay. >> Um, >> are you able to take them? >> Okay. >> That's why I kind of stay. >> Okay. You want to get the car seat strapped in your car? >> Yeah, we were trying to get her to sit in my car and stay warm and she don't want to come out from my arms. Thanks. >> You have kids. >> Okay. All right. >> I have to ask. >> You have to start soon. >> Are you guys married? >> Yes. >> Knowing that his daughter was inside a car full of narcotics would put any rational parent in despair. And it was no different for Raquel's husband. Unfortunately for him, this behavior was not random, as Raquel had shown signs of ongoing trouble long before this incident. >> Is this normal for her? She she's going through postpartum depression and so on. >> Okay. >> Has she seek help for it at all? >> Uh the we got into an incident similar to this uh let's see about 4 months ago something like that. And the case worker or the lady that she spoke to, police officer said that she was going to No, it was a case worker cuz they had to come out to the house. Uh said that she would give her some help like go seek [snorts] counseling and all of that and I >> haven't had any results. >> Is that in Pasco or >> Yes, Costco. So, here's the deal. It is not unfortunate that she has to go to jail, but she has to. Okay? But in the case, you have the opportunity, the judge is listening. In a situation like this, you're going to have the opportunity to talk to the judge and tell her what's going on and possibly they could possibly force her to get some help. Okay. Um, it's just I like I said, I all of our discretion is out the door when there's a child involved. Go a little bit. >> What? Um >> last time. What was she? What was she the problem with? What kind of >> There was no She was uh she was just asleep. She had just went into the uh restaurant, ate a big meal, and she didn't want to drive home. She knew she was tired, so she just sat in the car and she sleeps so freaking hard. >> Okay. >> So, I'm assuming somebody inside the restaurant called and said she was outside sleeping. My daughter was probably jumping around. >> Raquel's history was deeply concerning and clearly something that required care and attention. However, this time she had crossed a line that left officers with no choice but to make the difficult decisions the situation demanded. >> Ma'am, are you okay with your husband taking that 20, $30 that you had? >> Yeah. Is he going to take the car? Uh, we'll we're working on that now. [snorts] >> Do you have You're good to go. Do you have any questions? >> Can I speak to her? >> Yeah, if just put her in the car. I don't want her to see your mom like that. My hand's a little bit. We just I tell this to everyone. We're not going to sit here and argue or about anything. You can talk to her. Give her to jail, I guess. And they taking the car. >> Why are we taking the car? >> Cuz I don't have my a license. >> Got to Can your mom come get it? >> Unfortunately, it's it's not legally parked. We We have to tow it. I I told him I should be seizing it and I'm not seizing it. Okay. >> So, you going to tour it to where? >> The CTS. I'm going to give him a card where it's going to be at. >> MCO right here on um >> It's off off of Hercules. >> Okay. >> Okay. I'm pretty sure I know where Hercules and Carol. >> But I mean like can somebody come get it before they before the tow truck get here? I mean, >> oh my son, we don't we I came down here to get money for our mortgage. I I and I understand, but I I told like I told your husband, when a kid's involved in a situation like this, it takes all of our discretion and throws it out the window. >> Okay? So, we don't have a choice. >> So, what am I being charged with? >> He's charging me with DUI and then I'll talk to you about the rest. I haven't got to talk to you. >> What you mean about the arrest? What is the rest? >> I I will talk to you in a little bit. Okay. >> Can we um Oh my god. Can I So, I'm not going to be able to see my baby. I'm not I am not I'm not going to be the one that brings your daughter over. >> Black officer said >> I I'm not going to be the one that brings your daughter over here while you're in the back of a police car. >> No, no, no. He said no. He He wasn't going to do that. He said he My husband was coming. How are you? >> Yeah. Your husband's taking the daughter. Your daughter? >> No. He said my husband was coming down. So I don't know what that means. Like I don't I never been in trouble before. What he >> Your husband is taking your daughter instead of us having social services come take her. Your husband's taken >> perhap. >> At this point, there was no turning back. Raquel was taken to the police station where she would once again be confronted with the evidence and given another chance to tell the truth. However, officers quickly realized that she continued to deny reality, maintaining a poor me act in an attempt to deflect responsibility. Um, so my the re so I told the reason that I was there is okay cuz someone approached us. Uhhuh. >> Okay. While you're at the household saying that you appeared to be sleeping or passed out in your car and your and your daughter was around the car. Okay. So that's why we came up and Okay. And then when I get there, >> you were obviously awake at that point. Um, and then all that stuff, your cash, whatever was all scattered out on the floor. What >> what all out there that was yours? I don't even know. I I was scared to I mean, you were super awesome. Like the guy that was with you, I was scared to do anything. Okay. >> So, I don't I didn't even really look. >> Was the box was the cigarette box yours? >> I don't even know. Like, cuz I had a new pack of cigarettes and I don't think any cigarettes was even in that box. >> Okay. So, >> when I came at some point, you had that box if you knew that there was no cigarettes in it, right? >> No, I No, I'm saying I knew it when I looked down at the box. When you guys was like, "Is this yours?" When I looked down at it, there was no cigarettes in that box. >> Okay. Um >> I like I said, I just pulled up. I was trying to I just pulled up. It was I know it was a handic. I pulled I was trying to run in there to get some money and I came out. I'm like, you know, it's closed. >> So, is that cash yours? >> I mean, so I don't even I don't know. Like I had a $20 bill and a $10 bill inside that white envelope that I was telling for >> that was on the floor. >> No, the white envelope that was in the purple her purple book. So my question is when you see it's the police, why does the first thing you grab is the bag of paint on the ground right outside? >> That wasn't the first thing that I grab. I don't even know. >> It's on video. >> Okay. That's that's what she's saying. >> You tried to grab it and I had to put my foot over your hand to try and >> cuz I want to know what it was. If you saying okay, it's okay. >> Raquel knew about everything well enough when she used narcotics with her daughter in the car. She was questioned by officers about what had happened. Fortunately, the officer was not convinced by her story. Yet Raquel continued to try to cling to it. >> And I seen money, too. I know that's I was there was for some money. I want to know what it was. >> Okay. So, is it reasonable for me to believe that the stuff that's right outside your car? And it is very, mind you, there's 15 mph wind out there right now. >> And it was sitting out. I'm telling you, there's 15 mph wind out there. And that's sitting right outside your car. Okay. And then the cigarette, >> it's also wet right there. So, is it reasonable that it being wet didn't move at 15 mph? >> Well, what what I had wasn't wet. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And then >> I just I saw a little wetness. Okay. Just ask. >> All right. And then >> that cigarette box, you spoke Newport, right? You spoke Newport. Okay. >> Mhm. >> So, >> I'm saying when I went to pick up the contents, when I looked inside the box, there was no cigarettes in the box. >> There's no cigarettes, but there was an empty bag of I'm >> Cuz you're saying that's not yours either. >> Okay. are I'm asking you. >> I don't know. I I mean I know I didn't tell you I said well and I saw the other guy that was standing there the younger guy. I It's five people that drive that car. It's five adults that drive that car. So today was my first time getting in it and since Saturday actually >> when when you use how do you use it? >> Um sometimes I smoking in a lace. >> Um >> do you ever snort it? >> Sometimes. Yeah. >> Okay. Do you use a straw like this that was in your pocket >> sometimes? >> Okay. So, if I test the inside of the straw, is there going to be positive for >> I don't know. >> All right. >> Okay. When we did >> So, is it your statement that that cocaine is not yours? >> Yeah. >> I can't grab >> I can't tell you that is because I didn't know what I was actually coming out of sleep. Y'all pulling up on me, you know. Got one on the other side, one on the other side. And I'm like, "Okay, what's going Then I see some money too. I know I came there for some money. It is possible that one of my friends came over to the car. If I was slick, threw something in the car for me. That's very possible. I've been around this community for almost 20 years. I worked at that hospital for 13 years. I know a lot of people. >> Rackwell seemed not to notice that her fabricated story made sense only in her own mind, and her boldness could be felt in the room. But now she was in the officer's hands. And no matter her excuses, her fate was already sealed. So, you think some of your friends came over, ran through that bag of window down? >> I didn't say that. I said money. >> Then, how do you think it got there? >> I don't know. You told because you So, where it is, let's put it this way. Where it was, there is no possible way for you have to pull in that parking spot and not run it over cuz it was right under back. It was right right under where your tire would have been. So, you would have ran it over. Okay. >> And there was no evidence of being run over. It wasn't squished. There was nothing like that. So that cocaine got there after you pulled in. So is you you telling me >> that some it just magically appeared there? You don't have no idea how it got >> I'm not telling you that I don't know how it got there cuz I like I said if I would have pulled up and I would have seen it out there, it wouldn't have been out there if it would belong to me. >> All right. All right. Senator for me right here. We're going to go out there. You are being charged with the possession of tonight. Okay. Okay. [snorts] >> All right. Stand up for me. I'm going to put your handcuffs up front and they're going to put you in new handcuffs when we get out there. >> Uhhuh. >> What? >> DUI, possession of cocaine. >> Well, I wasn't driving with influence. You >> You're still in actual physical control of the vehicle. So, how's our driving influence? >> All right, he's getting answered. He's got She said he's got four more calls. Let's go ahead. So, you're in still actual physical control of the vehicle. Okay. And then because your daughter was with you, you're also being charged with childhood. Turn left here. >> In the end, Rquel was charged with neck and DUI.