You don't have to be scared. >> Hello. >> The police here. Hi. >> Hi. How are you? >> I was dropping my son off. My dad lives here. I don't know how it works. >> And I was pulling out of the parking spot and they ran out in front of the car. >> Okay. >> They said that they're locked out of the apartment. >> I don't know where the apartment is. You know, their mom is at work at the mall. She gets up at 3:00 p.m. at 5 years old. >> Police respond after concerned neighbors report that two young children have been locked out of their own home with no parent in sight. What begins as a welfare check quickly turns into a criminal investigation as officers work to determine how long the children were left alone and where their parent is. When the woman finally returns, officers begin asking difficult questions about the children's safety and what led to the situation. Watch the full body cam footage as the investigation unfolds and officers ultimately place the woman under arrest. Let's dive into the video. >> So, I just drove him up here. >> I didn't know. >> What parking lot were you in? >> He lives in 26500. So, we go in at the stop sign, go left, and it's the second left. >> Okay. If you can just wait here for a minute. You mind telling me uh what are you guys doing outside? >> Some wheels inside. somebody. No, I just wanted to say um I wanted to stay with somebody. So, I'm not allowed to stay by myself. >> Who's at home with you? >> Nobody. >> And your mom's at work at the mall. >> I told mommy I told mommy somebody had to come with me. But if I can't mess >> Okay. Do you know what store inside the mall she works at? >> Yeah. >> What store? She She works at the cookie store. >> The what? >> The cookie store. >> Okay. >> I think there's a kiosk. They sell cookies. If you can check at the mall, there should be a kiosk that sells cookies upper level by the food court. Believe that might be their mother. >> What's your mom's name? >> Mother's name is >> Okay. >> We make Tik Tok together. We have an incident. >> You have your ID on you, miss. Do you have an Ohio driver's license? >> Do you have a valid driver's license? >> No. Are you're the only one in the car? >> What uh apartment building you said? 26500. >> Uh-huh. That's where I was. She just said building 10. >> Oh, they're in Okay. You stay in 109. >> Okay. 11. >> Oh, building 11, but apartment 109. Okay. And they're in building 10. Okay. And you were just pulling out of your parking space and they ran in front of you. >> Like ran behind the car like honestly. >> Okay. >> You can wait in your car. I just can't let you drive off unfortunately. Hi, >> I'm Officer Cam. >> Hi. >> Hi. What time did your mom go to work this morning? >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> She gets off at 3:00. >> Yeah. Pardon me. What' you say? >> What time does mommy go to work? >> We don't know. I know, but I forgot. You know how long you've been by yourself today? >> Um I I minutes. Yeah. Last time I would be alone by myself without being car by yourself this time. I was alone a deep I didn't I was just like >> you said you left the apartment cuz your tummy hurts. >> Yes. >> Okay. Where were you trying to go? >> I was trying to go to mall to a mall. >> What? You know it's so it's dangerous. Do you see all these cars? This is really dangerous. >> The sidewalk though. >> Home? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Are you sure they're at home? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Cuz they're Where do you live? Do you live in the village? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They're out at the guard shack. >> What? >> Over in the village. So, you're going to need to come get them. >> Oh my god. I just dropped off my cookies. My employee will be here any second. Um I had my friend over there watching them, but I don't know what's going on. >> Okay. Do you want to try and call your friend? >> Where are they? They're at the guard shack at the village. You know the >> Yeah, that's where we live. >> So, was anybody supposed to stay with you today? >> No, nobody. My mom's friends can't watch us because they have work. >> Who Who all lives with you? >> Just our mom. >> Okay. >> Our dad lives in Bermuda. >> Okay. >> Does she leave you alone a lot? >> No, this is our first day. >> This is the first day? >> Yeah. We've never been alone. >> Were you lonely? >> No. >> Did she give you instructions on what to do today? No, I don't know. All she told me is that car that has to listen to me. >> Yeah. What are you able to call her on like an iPad or anything? In case of an emergency? >> No, we don't have an iPad. >> So, you don't have any way to call her if there's an emergency? >> No. I look for his phone and his keys so I can the way to get out. But I couldn't find her, I think. >> Yeah, because she keeps his keys in her car. >> The caller, she doesn't have a license. She's just waiting for someone to come to drive the vehicle away. Are we in danger, mate? Yeah. >> Your mommy's on her way. >> No. >> Yeah, we found her. >> 8 n We're headed over there now. >> So, uh, the lady in the vehicle right there said that she was pulling out of her parking space cuz she was in building 11. And >> I'm in building 10. Yeah, you live in building 10. >> She was pulling out of a parking space and the two girls ran out in front of her and she almost hit him. >> Uh she I guess Carter said her stomach hurt and she was coming to they were coming to the mall to see you. >> Okay, but where's Auntie India? >> She didn't come. >> What do you mean? She said she was coming. She said she was here. >> No, she wasn't. >> So, I was just dropping cookies. I have a beach I have a um bakery over in Beach Mall >> and then I have a friend who lives nearby. I just call her whenever I need her help. >> Um I was in such a rush this morning. I ran over and not this morning. It was >> and I um just dropped the cookies off and I was coming right back. >> Okay. What time did you leave? >> Um like 10 minutes ago I was at home. >> What time? >> I was there like 1:40. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It wasn't long at all. >> And you just left to go drop cookies off? Yep. Mhm. >> So, were were you girls sleeping when mom left? >> Okay. And you said >> that their aunt was supposed to come over? >> Um, I just have a friend that lives nearby. >> Okay. And did you speak with this friend? >> Yep. Yep. I messaged her and asking. She said she was on her way. >> What's What's the friend's name? >> Her name is India. >> India. >> I know her. That's her. >> Did you? >> As long as it's spelled out on the front. >> Yeah. No, it's fine. I'm so sorry. >> All right. Yep. That's all I needed. >> But you left without India being there yet. >> She was on She was on her way, >> but she never she wasn't there. But I literally call her every time and she always comes every single time. That's my honest to God. That's my fault. I should have made it until she was there. But I I'm just so >> Is there any other relatives that live nearby? >> Yeah, I have a whole bunch of relatives that >> Okay. >> My grandma stays over here in Shaker right here by middle school. Uh-huh. Do >> you have on your phone proof that you called this India girl? >> I >> And it would have to have a date and time on it. >> I mean, I called her at 1:40 to make sure that she was still there. I have the date and time on that. >> Are we able to see that? >> Yep. >> At what time? >> 1:40. >> That was just to make sure that she was still there. I had just gotten over to mommy. >> Okay. And you confirmed that she was on the way? >> Yes. >> But she never arrived before you left. >> Yeah. M >> okay >> so you called India after we had already received notification that the kids were loose. What we're we're asking for you to show us is proof that you had somebody coming over to babysit the kids cuz 139 or 140 is not a good time. >> It was a private call. It's not showing up. >> Nothing prior to 139. >> No. I mean, I can call her or just >> any text messages? >> It was through Instagram. >> And are you able to pull that up? >> No, cuz it was on a private deleted. >> It was deleted. Okay. Well, that's that's where we kind of run into we kind of run into a situation there. >> I totally get it. I know this is absolutely crazy. I know. >> Mhm. This is where the situation becomes difficult to explain. According to the investigation, the mother says she left to sell cookies at her stand in the mall and believed a friend was going to watch the children. The problem, when officers ask for any messages or proof showing those arrangements were actually made, she isn't able to provide it. And honestly, if you're going to leave young children in someone else's care, having a clear plan and making sure that person actually agrees is incredibly important. Miscommunication in situations like this can have serious consequences. Meanwhile, the officers are trying to piece together what happened while making sure the children's safety remains the top priority. Sometimes what sounds like a simple explanation raises even more questions when the details don't line up. Let's jump back into the video. >> Uh we're just trying to figure out. So this I'll just give you the rundown. Char found mom and the girls were walking outside of their of their building and almost got run over and correct. And she's like, "Oh, India's supposed to be there." Well, mom can't provide any proof that she's like, "Oh, no, no, I called India." Well, she called India at 1:39. We got the No, she called India at 1:40. We got this call at 139. Mom's lying about getting a babysitter. Mom had no babysitter. So anyway, we have two girls that one said she had a tummy ache. These two 5-year-olds were going to walk to the mall to find mom. Yes. Cuz cuz she got a tummy ache. And so um yeah, she she's definitely going to get hooked up. However, this is requiring a bond with a judge. Child endangering requires we contact a judge. And we have two little girls we don't know what to do with. So probably just going to have to tell the judge that. and um and beg for a personal. I I would like to just keep the the girls and mom in the same car. I don't think the girls should be in a separate car than mom. >> Are you guys in kindergarten? >> So, you came you came to the house >> cuz car said something about you didn't come. >> We didn't show her. >> Oh, >> she was Oh my god. And then and then I don't know why would I call you on the stupid Instagram private. This is not They need a date and a time to show that I told you to come real quick. >> Is that her? >> Yeah, it's okay. Just one second. Hey, Cam. Yeah, >> the girl's on the phone. >> She's on the phone with her friend India that could watch the kids potentially. >> Okay. Apparently, maybe the friend India can come watch the kids. So, we we might be able to just take all the kids and mom, drop kids off Advantage and then take mom. All right. So, we'll we'll we'll work on that. >> So, as soon as we leave, as soon as we're separated, he wants you to call 696 kids to see if they want to come and interview her at the jail. >> Mhm. because sometimes they haven't been able to get a hold of people and she seems like a respectable person that >> she's going to be here, you know, at some point. Not going to jump out uh escape that. >> Yeah. >> Maya, can I speak with you please outside? >> So, we don't want to talk about this in front of your kids at all. Okay. You have to be booked and processed for child endanger. Okay. So, you have it requires you to be fingerprinted at our station. Okay. You have to get arrested for this. Are we able to drop the girls off in at India's house while India's house? >> Okay. So, that's fine. So, we're gonna put all three of you in the back of a police car together unandcuffed. We're just going to make sure you don't have anything on you. Okay. And you're not going to be handcuffed as long as you're sitting in the car with your kids. >> Can I go to my grandma's house? >> That's what we're looking for. We're looking for a babysitter. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um my grandma is not home at the moment. >> Um my grandpa is cleaning. Is he able to drive here? >> Will this take you? >> No, because we have to contact the judge for approval to let you go. I'm imagining she will, but this this requires us to call the Okay. >> Bring ID, your cell phone. Um, if you haven't like your wallet cuz if the judge if the judge does set a bond, obviously you're going to have to pay that bond to get out. >> We're going to go for a little ride. First time, right? >> The field trip. You guys want the big car? Pick which car you want. You want the big car? All right, that's fine. >> I never car. >> Is this going to go on my public record? So, it's not something that we like put out to the media or anything. So, >> yeah, you don't make you don't make Cleveland. >> Yeah, there's we don't release a booking photo or anything like that. >> All right, scoot on over. >> Hold on one second. They kind of >> put on this. I can't I don't have one. >> Oh, that's okay for right now. >> Yeah. So, I'm going to call 696 Kids now to see if they want to interview her before she leaves the jail. >> You're going to drop the kids off and then go to the jail. >> There's a female co and I've already patted her down. So, >> at the end of the day, this case is a reminder that a child's safety has to come before everything else. According to the investigation, officers were responding to two young children who had been locked out of their home without a parent present. and the situation ultimately resulted in the mother's arrest. And honestly, selling cookies is a lot easier than explaining to police why the babysitting plan never came together. If someone is going to watch your children, it's important to make sure those arrangements are confirmed before leaving, not just assumed. Situations like this can have serious consequences because the priority is always making sure children are safe and properly supervised. If you enjoyed this body cam breakdown, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to Response Unit Body Cam for more real police encounters, arrests, and true crime footage caught on camera. We'll cath you in the next