Palm Beach County Florida, a 4-year-old child alone in the street. And when officers found the mother, she had no idea he was even gone. On February 26th, 2025, a neighbor spotted a small boy wandering alone on a residential street in Palm Beach County. The child was non-verbal, in a soiled diaper, and couldn't say his own name or where he lived. A stranger flagged him down. Someone called 911. Deputies located the child, secured him, and began the one task that should have been simple, find the mother. It took door-to-door knocking in a small apartment complex. When they found her, the front door of a 600 square foot apartment, what they saw raised immediate concerns. She had a bleeding wound on her leg. She had no shoes, and she had no idea her son had left the house. Under Florida statute 827.23, child neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide supervision that a prudent person would consider essential for a child's well-being. The child doesn't have to be physically harmed. The risk is enough. And a 4-year-old, non-verbal, alone in traffic, that's not a close call. The officer on scene had 21 years in law enforcement. He wasn't guessing. The signs were visible, slurred speech, inability to track the conversation, an unaccounted for injury, and a child missing from a 600 square foot apartment she was supposedly watching. >> Good afternoon. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi. Where did you find this handsome young man? >> Here. This street. >> Okay. >> Can you find me >> Get up. >> What's your name? >> Yeah. >> All right. Get up. Get up. Get up. >> Uh-uh. >> We don't want to >> I want that. >> That's bad too. That's That's funny. That's it. >> They they tell me they tell me somebody here. >> I don't What's your name? >> My name >> Yes. >> What's the flashlight? >> I have to >> Thank you. >> You can play with the flashlight. >> Maybe driving around he know the house. No, he can't. We ask for the help. Maybe >> Could you talk to him in Spanish cuz my Spanish is >> If I know he speak English. >> He speaks English? >> He said because when I'm when I'm am the phone, he say, "Mom, mom." And then And he speak English. He don't speak Spanish. >> He acts like he's a little autistic. >> Yeah. >> I think maybe. >> It's okay. >> He's stealing my stuff. >> No, they didn't. >> Don't steal the stuff. >> He got some things. >> No, nobody. Nobody did it. >> You got to get your driver's license first. >> He act like he knows where to go, please. >> No. >> You want to go for a ride? >> Yes. >> You do? >> Yes. >> Where do you want to go? Right there? What's going on? What's going on today? Lost kid? Lost kid? >> What? Stop. >> What's up, buddy? Nobody recognizes Nobody recognizes >> No, I don't know. >> No, I stopped the plan. >> I'm walking around. Let me >> What I have to do? I go home. >> And you never saw this kid before? >> No. Somebody give it to me. >> They saw it. Somebody flagged you down and told you that? >> Yeah, because the season is the three and somebody I'm coming from the work. I'm parking and somebody say, "Do you know that kid?" And I say, "No." Because he alone in the street and nobody know and everybody start to come in and when I say I call the police, the one lady in I hold him and say, "No, no, no. Okay, I give it to you. You call the police." And I >> Well, thank you very much for calling. >> Yeah, because that's the best. We Nobody know what you going to do. Call the police. That it? >> Yeah, that's what it is. That's what we can do right now. >> Yeah, right. >> Figure out where he lives cuz he didn't have a wallet on him. >> No, nobody. Nobody know. >> You trying to steal my car again? >> Where you trying to go? >> Yeah. Did you give him those shorts? >> Huh? >> Were those on him or did you give him that? >> Yeah. >> You're crazy. >> He keep talking to >> Yeah, that's >> Okay, that's it. >> No, ma'am. You've done your Thank you very much. That was very kind of you. Did you >> I need a little Thank you. Bless you. >> The diaper needs a little bit >> A little bit. >> Come on. Let's go. Let's go. Go. Go. Let's go. Let's go. Yeah. Yeah. >> [crying] >> Come on. Come on. Let's go. >> [crying] >> Let's go, buddy. Is it poopy? Excellent. What address is this? Is that your mom? >> [crying] >> Is that your mom? >> [crying] >> Is that your mom? Your mommy? >> [crying] >> Your mommy? >> Yes, mom. >> No? >> [screaming] >> No? >> You ready to get out of here? >> [crying] >> Yes? You're not in trouble, buddy. Your mom? >> Yeah. >> [screaming] >> So, how did little Houdini get out of the house? Don't know? Not sure? >> No, he just he has he just opened the door. That's it, but he's never been outside by himself. He's never been unoccupied like >> He's never done this before? >> No. >> Huh. You uh >> [clears throat] >> might want to consider getting some child proof locks on the side. >> I've been to go on Amazon. I By today I'm going to go on Amazon. >> What's your name again? And you're the mom? >> Yes. >> Okay, anybody else in the house? >> No. >> Do you have anybody else that can come to the house? >> We I have a nanny that comes to the house all the time. He has his father. >> Where's the father? >> Working right now, yeah. >> Does he live here, too? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What are you under the influence of? >> Nothing. >> Nothing? >> No. But >> Uh listen, I've been doing this for a couple of years, and you're definitely under the influence of something. I'm not 100% sure what, but it's more than obvious. What happened to your leg? >> What? >> Switch to normal. >> What who's watching him right now if no one is inside? >> Yeah, he literally just went inside right now. He's with me. He's okay. >> [bell] >> I'll find him. >> Are you on any medication? >> No. >> Uh do you have any diagnoses? >> No. >> Now, have a seat, please. We're going to talk. >> I would rather >> Yeah, well, I I would rather for you to sit here now. Thank you. >> I would rather be in the other room. >> That's fine. Have a seat, thank you. >> Last name over there. >> Stand with him. You can leave the door open. >> Sierra, India, Echo, Romeo, Romeo, Alpha. >> I don't think you understand the seriousness of this situation. >> name Delilah. >> Romeo Alpha She's a white female, 4 2 of 93. >> It's okay, baby. Where is he? I'm It's okay. It's okay. >> Just that one. >> I think Mommy's over here. Mommy's over here. >> Um do you have a cell phone? >> Yes. >> Can you contact uh somebody that is in a better condition than you? >> Yeah. >> And I'll leave the door open. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So >> Yes. >> Your child is wandering around the street. You don't know where he is. You don't know how long he's been gone. >> He wasn't gone very long because >> But you don't know how long he's been gone. He wasn't gone very long because what? >> What? >> Was he gone 5 minutes? Was he gone an hour and a half? >> Yeah, he was gone an hour and a half. >> And how do you know? >> Because the last time I made a phone call was at 2:55. >> Okay. And >> It's longer than that now. >> Yeah. >> But prior to that >> It's almost an hour, exactly. >> But prior to that I did go on the phone. So he wasn't gone longer than that. >> Okay. >> And he was down the street. Does your ring doorbell work? It's dead at the moment. >> How long have you lived in Palm Beach County? >> I mean >> All parts. >> Over 15 years? >> 15 years? How long have you lived here? In this >> In >> apartment? >> Maybe five? >> Months? Years? >> Years. >> Years, okay. And in that time, how many times has your kid gone running off? >> Never. >> No, he's 3 years old? >> He's four. >> Four? >> Yeah. He's never gone running off. We've been here for over 4 years. Our landlord used to live across the street. He passed away due to COVID. >> Okay. We need to know what kind of drugs you took today. >> I didn't take any drugs. I don't do drugs. >> What did you do? Because you're not very lucid. You're very slow. >> No, I'm very slow because I want to make sure that whatever is going on like >> I'm telling you based on my training experience, 21 years of law enforcement, you're high. >> I'm not high. >> You fell and you're gushing blood out of your leg and you have no idea >> I can I can promise you >> You didn't know your child's missing and you live in about a 600 square foot apartment. >> She denied everything. No drugs, no medication, nothing. But when asked about alcohol, she paused, then admitted to having a drink, then said she felt pressured when asked what kind. That pause matters. Under Florida law, voluntary intoxication does not negate the elements of neglect. It can establish them. If the intoxication is what caused the failure of supervision, that goes directly to the charge. The officer asked her a question with a simple answer, how long was your son outside? She said he wasn't gone long because her last phone call was at 2:55. The officer did the math out loud. Almost an hour. And here is the detail that makes this worse. The Ring doorbell camera was dead. She didn't know her son had left. She didn't know how long he'd been out. She didn't know what he was wearing when he left. A neighbor had to change his diaper. When the sergeant arrived, he laid it out plainly. A 4-year-old, non-verbal, in a dirty diaper wandering alone in the street. No one knew how long he'd been out there. That is the definition of neglect, not an opinion, a charge. The mother's response throughout was to push back. She mentioned friends in the department. She called the officers aggressive. She asked what she could do to feel more comfortable. What she did not do was ask about her son. The officer noted it. Did you thank my deputies for locating your child? That's something a normal mother who wasn't impaired would do. It was the single most damning line of the encounter and it was delivered quietly. When the handcuffs came out, she said it wasn't necessary. The officer disagreed. He had tried conversation. He had asked her to sit. He had given her every opportunity to put their fears at ease. She had chosen not to. >> So, I need to know what kind of drugs you're on. >> I can promise you I don't do drugs. I've never done drugs. I don't do anything. No. >> No over-the-counter like pseudoephedrine or something? >> I can't do drugs. I don't do drugs. >> So, right now sober is enough. >> So, I Yeah, I don't do drugs. I can't do drugs. Like I can promise you there is not like a single thing that >> Is there a storage closet? >> Yes. >> What about alcohol? >> You can check my storage closet if you please. No, I don't know. >> Is that a >> What's that on you? >> Have you had any alcohol today? >> I had a drink. >> Okay. >> But that's it. >> What did you drink? Was it beer? Was it What was it? >> Just a drink. And then >> Oh. >> that's >> Like was it What kind of alcohol was it? Beer? >> What flavor? >> What was it? You're very funny. And I don't want to kill I just want to pick that up. >> That's okay. You're not alone. >> No, I know I'm [clears throat] not alone. Um yeah. No, he's never gone out of the house. He's never done anything like this. So, this is like a first. >> What about what you have drank? We're trying to figure out why you are so You appear to be intoxicated. Okay? You just um avoided answering a simple question about what you had to drink. >> what? >> You avoided it, okay? Any logical person would just say you either avoided it or you unintentionally avoided it because you got something wrong with you. >> What you're coming at me is very >> Well, because here's what. >> really aggressive, so I'm so what I'll tell you Yes. >> We're police, all >> know, I understand that. >> So, what if a kid's wandering around >> A very good friend of mine I have very good friends in the department. >> just let's give you a little perspective, right? Our job is to investigate crimes. >> Yes. >> And if we got a 4-year-old running around with dirty diapers who can't tell us where he lives or who mom is or anything else cuz he's really essentially non-verbal, that's a potential crime. So, we're investigating a crime. That's why we're asking you questions because it could have been something simple like, yeah, he just snuck out when you weren't looking. >> Well, no, he didn't because >> because of your your drinking >> No. >> you rendered yourself incapable of taking good care of him and he snuck out. >> Well, now, I promise you there's never been a time where I've had something to like indulge where he snuck out. >> Okay. >> But yes, he did today and I'm horribly unfortunately like >> Do you remember when you had a drink? Was it home? Was it like did you go to >> No, I didn't go out. >> Okay. >> Did not go out. >> That's what I'm wondering here. >> I was here. >> Yeah, okay. >> And it was one drink, but do you remember what it was or you just don't want to tell us? No, I remember what it was, but I feel a little dizzy. pressured >> Well, we're we're pressured we're pressured as well. We're pressured as well, so. >> No, you're extremely Yes, I do remember. However, >> So, >> he's never done this before, so >> So, what what could we do to make you feel more comfortable to answer these questions? >> Well, >> cuz we get excited about little kids, that's all. >> No, I know, and I get that. I 100% like I'm a mama bear, so I'm like overly like getting into things. You could start by stopping so aggressive. >> You're not going to tell me what to do, first of all. >> Okay. >> Don't you say that once you put your hands on the car. Huh? >> Well, no. >> Yep. Yeah, you will. You can at least >> Okay, we'll see. >> We'll see. We'll see how that works. >> don't want to be nice? >> We tried to be very nice, and we tried to figure out your situation. All right, we're going to take your jacket off. >> take this sweater off, you're not It's not very >> All right. >> We're going to have to take your sweater off. It's not >> Can we get you some shorts? Some like actual shorts? >> I can go grab some. >> No, you're not You're not putting them on here, now. >> Okay, well, see, this is not necessary. >> It is, because >> My friend's not here. >> put us at ease that you are able to take care of your child, and it's by your actions and what happened today that you are not able to take care of your child. Do you understand that? >> No, I am, but >> You are not. So, until we determine the way our fears We tried talking to you. You said we were aggressive. You avoided our questions. We >> not that you were aggressive, it's you were being very very mean. >> No, I just want to make sure your son is taken care of, and I wish you had that his interest in your mind. >> And I do. I do have his best [clears throat] interest >> Where would >> Where would storage for pants be? >> Have a seat. I don't want your phone down again, okay? >> Turn your phone to me. Crazy. >> You are not in the right state to take care of a child. >> I am. >> That's why we were here today. We tried to have you put our fears at ease. You cannot You cannot explain yourself, or you're unwilling >> explain myself. You chose not to listen to me. And I said "He was fine. This was a one-time off. However, you came very aggressive, so I didn't feel at ease." >> Okay, understandable. Did you thank my deputies for locating your child? Did you thank anybody? That's something a normal mother who wasn't impaired would do, okay? What's going on? What's >> What's the history here? >> All I know I know she only drinks. >> She drinks? Okay. >> I know it's not drugs. >> So, long story short, child's found wandering the street over there, dirty diaper, obviously afraid, non-verbal, you know, obviously special needs of some sort. Um we come in contact with that, go knocking door to door, the deputies do a great job by finding the mom, but she's upon first contact, obviously something's wrong. She's very intoxicated, she's fallen, she's bleeding on her left leg. She doesn't know how she's fallen. So, these are things that have us very, um you know, nervous about leaving a child with her. So, with what's happened here, with the with the kid being gone and not even knowing in the state that he's in, it's obvious it's a crime. Okay? So, she's going to go to jail. Um we obviously are concerned about the care of the child, but who we can leave this child with. Have you guys ever taken care of this kid before? >> My wife watches him all the time. >> Okay. Okay. Does she watch him >> Here, at your house. Here? She's came He's came to our house before. >> Is she able to come here? >> I can stay here with him until she gets here. Um We don't I know that he's never like I don't know how he got out. I don't know he's never got out before. >> Is the deadbolt locked? >> When you guys knocked on the door, was it open? >> I wasn't here. >> Okay. What's the ring camera? You can check the ring camera, maybe see like >> Dead. >> Oh, is it? >> Camera's dead. We tried to check it, asked her about it. Yeah, I don't know what happened here, but she does drink, but that's unlike her. >> Does she drink like a lot or just occasionally? >> Unless she's been arguing with her her her husband. And uh >> Is he the one with the drinking? >> Well, he's the one with the drinking problem. So, it's like >> Oh, they both drink. >> Uh yeah, yeah, but he drinks more is what I'm saying. >> Okay. >> I don't drink at all, so I don't understand any of it. >> Yeah, you save a lot of money that way. >> Yeah, yeah. >> All right. Okay, we'll check in a bit. >> Yeah, of course. >> So, the lady down the street changed his diaper, cleaned him up, getting a pair of shorts, some socks. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know when the last time he ate. >> Uh he's got like uh I don't know, something maybe like autism or something. >> Yeah. >> And she's with him 24/7. You know, she doesn't She doesn't work right now, so she just stays with the kid. Her husband works. >> All right. Well, I appreciate the the back story on this cuz >> Yeah. >> she doesn't like me. >> Yeah, I know. >> She yells at me so much. >> Yeah, she may not seem like it right now, but she's really a good girl, you know. She's always uh you know, her and my wife were bartenders back in 10 years ago when I met them both. Good people. I don't know why the hell she's drinking like this, but >> All right. >> Yeah, of course I'll stay with him. >> All right. Can we get you some flip-flops or something? >> Yeah. >> You don't want any shoes? >> Yeah, that'd be good. Thanks. >> And the bottle. >> I'm going to sit here with the kid. >> Um I'm going to I'm going to take your jewelry off now because otherwise they'll take it at the jail. Okay? >> So, he said to us that you have a drinking problem. >> Where's dad at? >> So, hopefully, you know, this is a wake-up call and your son's okay, and you can get some help for that, okay? This could have ended badly. You could have gotten hit by a car. You could have gone missing in one of these waterways. Is he autistic? >> Yeah. >> What what's his uh condition? Is he just special needs? >> Yeah, he just had a Gatorade. >> He just had a Gatorade. All right, walk with me, please. All right, do better, ma'am. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, I'm afraid we got to go in the the old the old car. >> The old Why do you >> The old guy, old car. All right, so watch your head. So listen, if it's I know it's uncomfortable with your hands behind your back like that, but that's our policy. I can't really explain much of it. >> It's you're fine. >> So, >> [clears throat] >> if it's more comfortable to kind of turn a little bit so you're not putting pressure on your wrists. You sure? >> You're fine. I'm fine. >> And also, the AC back here is terrible. >> It's okay. >> So, if you start getting hot, please tell me. I'll crack the windows for you. >> Before placing her in the cruiser, the officer removed her jewelry. He explained why the jail would take it otherwise. He offered to roll down the windows if she got hot. He told her the AC back there wasn't great. These are the details that define the standard. The arrest was necessary, the conduct was professional, the child was safe. The neighbor had already cleaned him up, changed his clothes, and given him socks. She was charged with child neglect under Florida statute 827.3. In Florida, that is a third-degree felony, up to 5 years in prison, 5 years probation, and a $5,000 fine per count. The officers get an A. 21 years of experience in a room, and it showed. Patient, methodical, never raised a voice. They asked the same questions twice when the first answer didn't track. They let the footage build the case. They didn't need to. Under Graham versus Connor, every decision here holds up. They didn't let a good story change the outcome. The mother gets a D. The child was found by a stranger. The diaper was changed by a neighbor. The timeline was reconstructed by an officer. She denied impairment to a 21-year veteran who could see her bleeding leg and hear her struggling to hold a sentence. There is a right to remain silent in Florida. She declined to use it and what she said instead made the case against her. The neighbor, the one who flagged the child down, called the police and waited, gets an A+. No hesitation, no looking away. The right call made immediately. That child got home because of her. 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