Our mom was drunk and he was and she wasn't really paying attention and that's been for a couple of days. So, we decided to go to our grandpa's. She ripped Jada's LED lights and she choked. >> How did she feel? >> She went like this and she wouldn't let go until I gave her my phone. >> Let me see your neck. >> On July 18th, 2021, deputies were called to a home in Florida after a report that a mother was physically abusing her children. When officers arrived, they found the woman standing outside. How you doing? >> All right, so how you doing? >> Good. Just give me a few minutes. Okay. >> How you doing? >> Uh, yes. Yes. >> The girls, can my kids can can my kids go in the truck if they're leaving? >> I don't need them to be involved in anything extra. >> How about you step back here with me and talk more? >> I'm going to go this way. Can we go this way? Yeah. >> They can stand under the porch out of this door. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> My kids go my kids go in the truck. Is that okay? >> Let's talk over here. >> They're 12 years old. >> We'll deal with that in a second. Let's talk over here. Let's go over there. >> I called you. >> Okay. So, what's going on? >> Excuse my daughter's birthday. >> Okay. >> She's turning 13. I don't know why this is a problem, but like apparently when you turn 13, you're entitled. I don't I don't [ __ ] know. >> My dad is in my house. >> Okay. >> I don't have a car because I I got in a wreck with a semi on June 1st. I didn't show you the paperwork for this. >> No, that's fine. She explained that her father, who owns the house, had come over without telling her, saying he wanted to take the kids out for the birthday. She said she didn't agree with that and didn't want him around. >> Um, however, my dad is here >> to pick the my daughters up. >> Okay. >> Unannounced for their birthday, which is okay for the birthday, right? >> Yes. >> I'm the mom. I have full custody. My husband is on the phone right now. I'll put him on speaker. My husband's on the phone. Okay. >> He lives in Charlotte. >> Okay. >> I have full custody. Okay. >> I have raised these girls by myself for the last 4 years. >> Okay. So, what's the issue with him coming to get him? >> He's controlling. >> So, you don't want him to come in now? >> This is his house though. >> 5884. >> So, I don't know what to do. >> He said he's going to take them out for their birthday for her birthday. >> No party. >> No. No. He's not taking them out for their birthday. He wants to get this resolved so he can go to the bar. >> Okay. >> Um, so what do you what do you want me to do? >> No. >> I don't know what to do right now. >> Well, what can I help you with? >> Make him leave, please. And how long do I have for me to move out? >> Whenever you want. >> Nope. I'm not a squatter. This is my dad. Okay. If you want to move out, we can move out. That's that's up to you. >> I can move out any time. But how long legally do I have? >> Whenever if he evicts you, then he evicts you. >> He's going to do it tomorrow or Monday. >> That's a whole process. That can take weeks. >> Months. >> Weeks or months. It could. >> Yeah, I know. >> Okay. >> I know. But this is his house. I rent from him. I do. I do. Okay. >> So, this is his house, but he can't legally come inside my home. Okay. >> Even though I rent, right? >> Okay. >> You have to have a notice. >> There's certain laws. Yeah. Landlord tenant laws. Yeah. >> So, what is what is my law >> for him coming into my home? >> He has to give notice. >> How much notice? >> I'm not too sure. I have to review the statute, but he does have to give notice. >> I know. I'm not trying to ask for this, but he wants to take my kids, too. I'm a good mom, and I [clears throat] know Florida is a mother's state. >> Okay. But officers noticed signs she had been drinking. She denied it, but the smell of alcohol was clear. Her speech was slurred and her behavior was unstable. >> You don't want him to take him out somewhere. >> No. No. >> But you're clearly inebriated. You're in under the influence of alcohol. >> I'm not. >> Yes, you are. I can smell it. >> We We're not going to argue about >> We have Okay, >> we're not. >> Listen. >> So, what's >> I'm the mother. >> What's wrong with him just taking him out for a little bit? He doesn't do this. >> He didn't do this when I was a kid either. >> Well, this is them. This isn't you. Maybe he just wants to >> So, the grandfather wants you to be better for the grandchild. >> Hey, it's it's possible. Do you have an issue with him taking them out? >> Yeah, because he hasn't been here to be a grandfather in like 8 months. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't trust him with my kids. >> So, it's a yes or no. >> I don't trust him. >> Okay. We'll hang out right here with them. Okay. >> Okay. >> I have the daddy on the phone. >> Okay. >> One of the daughters then quietly explained that their mom had been drunk for a few days. She yelled, ripped LED lights off the wall, slapped one of them, and even choked the other until she handed over her phone. >> All right. >> What's going on? Were you coming over for them to take them somewhere or going on. >> Well, what time did y'all call me this morning? About noon. >> Okay. >> They called me about noon. >> About 1:30. >> Yeah. >> And I mean, they can speak for theirelves. They're very intelligent. >> Okay. What happened? >> I mean, I'd rather them tell you, but I I know exactly what happened. Okay. >> This morning, >> you want to give us a few seconds? I gave you the opportunity to talk. >> I'm here in my own vicinity. Well, y'all want to walk out there and >> talk to you stay 1012 with her for me. >> Mhm. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, tell me what happened. Just talk a little lower. That way she won't hear it. this this afternoon our mom was drunk and he was and she wasn't really paying attention and that's been for a couple of days. So, we decided to go to our grandpa's for like a couple hours and then we came back and our mom got mad at us >> and she said that she was kicking us out and she ripped Jada's LED lights and she choked Jada. And this morning she was also hitting me and she hit me this afternoon too. So, we had our grandpa and then she locked the door. They were over there. She isn't letting us grab any of our things. >> Okay. >> They were at my house for about 3 hours. >> They packed their backpacks and they walked halfway to my house. I live over 110 >> and they called me cuz she's got asthma and as there she choked you. >> Let me see your name. >> When did she do this? um 10 15 minutes ago. >> Well, I don't know because because they stayed at my house, like I said, for three or four hours and then they said, "Well, we got Amazon stuff coming to pop up that we ordered and we're afraid that mom's going to get it and we ain't going to find it tomorrow and this and that. Will you take us back home?" And then she said, "I got a doctor's appointment Wednesday for my iron to be checked. Can you take me to the doctor's Wednesday?" I said, "If you guys really want to go back home, that's fine. I'll take you back home, but if you need any help, you call me." my husband on the phone. >> So, I brought them back 30 minutes ago, maybe 45, and within 20 minutes, they called me. >> Okay. Um, well, I'll speak with you first over here. >> We can walk over further over here. We just want to talk with you um away from everybody else. So, what happened when you got back over here? You got dropped off by your grandfather. Is that what happened? >> Um, yeah. He dropped us off and then I went into my mom's room and I told her that we basically like went to her dad's house or my grandpa's house for like a couple hours >> and she got mad and she screamed at me and she said that if I wanted to leave the house I could leave and that she's kicking me out and I said okay and then she wouldn't let me grab any of my belongings and then when I tried to walk out with my phone she to she tried to grab my phone. I told her she doesn't have the right to grab my phone because she was drunk when she made that decision and she choked me until I gave it to her. The officers inspected the girl's neck and confirmed visible injuries. The other daughter backed up the story. >> Where were you at when she choked you? >> Up there >> on the patio. Okay. How did she choke you? >> She went like this and she wouldn't let go until I gave her my phone. >> Were you able to breathe during that time? >> No. Did you pass out? Black out. You did. You said you did or didn't pass out? >> Um, I almost did. I had I fell on the floor. I I was still conscious, but I fell on the floor. >> Okay. You are very Let me see your neck again. >> All right. Give me move your hair on this side. All right. Give me uh one second. Let me grab a paper. Okay. Uh spell your first name for me. And you live here with mom. >> And what's a good You said you have a cell phone. What's a good phone number for you? weapons don't mean nothing. Stand up. He is the next best person to take his right. This is their biological >> and what's wrong? >> He was my dad. He does not have a paper. I have not signed. >> So, what happened when you um grandpa dropped you off? What happened after that? >> After grandpa dropped us off? >> Yeah. >> Um well, we walked up to our house and our mom was still drunk or whatever and she still is, but she was sleeping and we woke her up and we told her what happened and that we were over there for about 3 hours. And then she got all mad at us. She was like, "You're throwing me under the bus." Blah blah blah blah. And then she said something about she was going to kill the dog. [snorts] And then she got all mad and she ripped all um all of my sister's LED lights off the wall. And then she took my sister's phone and while she was taking my sister's phone, they were on the porch and [snorts] my sister wouldn't give it up. So my mom decided to choke her until she like couldn't breathe. So then she would give it up. And I was standing up for my sister and she kept slapping me. >> Okay. Where'd she when she slap you at? >> Um when >> where? >> On my nose in my face. >> Okay. Turn this. Did she slap you on that side of your face? On this side. >> Um it was probably like on both. I don't really know. >> What's your first name? 6216. Grandpa, can I get your first name? >> Let me go speak with mom again. >> When police returned to speak with the mother again, her story didn't match. She denied that anything physical happened when they came [music] back. All right. You want to speak with him back on the porch? >> No, you don't need to call my husband. >> Okay. Well, I just >> My legal husband. So, my husband has rights before my dad. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> So, >> nope. I don't need to go on the porch. I'm waiting for him to get off the phone with my husband. >> Okay. >> We're still married. >> We've been married for 15 years. Well, yeah. >> So, >> so what happened when um your daughters got back home? >> They cuz they left there at their grandfather, then they came back. What happened? >> I don't know why the [ __ ] they went to him at all because they don't. The only reason they went is because they wanted a money for their birthday. >> Okay. So, um when they came back, what happened? >> Nothing. They told me what happened. They told me, "Hey, I walked all the way there, blah blah did this." It's not the right reason for a kid to go and see a grandparent. It's not the only reason that this is actually the only reason they see him. >> Okay. Um, did you get into an argument with them when you came back? When they got back here? >> When I No. No. Not an argument, a com like a conversation. Yes. >> What happened during that conversation? What was it about? >> Nothing. I sat on my bed. They sat in the chair. There were calendars in my room. And um I asked him why they had to go to Papa just to get money. It's not right. I'm not that kind of person. >> Okay. >> I'm not um >> I don't want my kids to think that they need to go to see my dad. My dad >> just for money. That's wrong. >> Was there some sort of physical altercation that took place? >> No. >> Nothing physical. Just you talking to your kids? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> All right. Let me uh grab some information from you. >> Um sir, my husband, what his name? He's on his way. >> Well, he's in another state. You're aware of this, right? So, >> I do know he lives in the Carolinas. Yes. >> Yeah. So, >> it takes eight hours to get here. >> Get down here. >> I would rather my husband take my kids as opposed to my dad. >> My dad's going to come Okay. What's your first name? >> Rosanna. R O S A N A. >> What's your middle initial? >> What? Wait. What she say? What she say? Hold on. She They're talking about something else. >> What? >> What's a good phone number for you? >> I didn't hear. What's a good phone? >> Said my dad has a >> No, >> I don't know what it is. >> What's What's a good phone number for you? >> J, shut up. Some >> money pit for my kids. This is what he's doing. This is what he's doing. And then you you live here at this address. Yeah. >> Um there's a Miranda law and he had a warrant, but he doesn't anymore. I took that felony for him. >> Just hang out right here. >> That was over 6 years ago. >> Give me a few minutes. >> Both girls were shaken but consistent in their stories. They said this wasn't the first time their mom had acted this way. Officers took photos of the injuries. They explained that while some discipline is allowed by law, choking a child crosses a serious line. >> Why do you want my kids? Why do you want my kids? >> Hey, just hold on. >> No. Why do you want my kids? >> I'll talk to you down here. So, um, she they say she's been drunk for a few days now. Uh, came home from they walked to granddad's house, came home. Upon coming home, they went and talked with mom. Um, mom got pissed off, ripped some lights off of one of the kids' rooms. >> Mhm. >> Uh, then the kids uh tried to leave. Mom end up saying she was going to take one of the kids' phones. At that point, the kid said, "No, I'm not giving you my phone." So, she reached around her neck, grabbed her, um, but there was elbow and pretty much choked her. She said she couldn't believe there. I'll take her vehicle description. >> The other sister said she tried to help her sister and she was slapped by mom. The one sister has she does have a bruise right here on her um, cheek. The one that said she got choked. I mean, not like a second opinion, but it looks like it could be something, but then I'm not too sure. >> Ex-boyfriend. >> Yeah. I mean, you said you see a bruise >> on just get pictures of both of you. If you can turn that way, I'll take a picture >> and then I can get you to come over here. >> Look up until that way. >> Okay. >> Is there any way that you could get my phone back? She has it. >> I can't. If it's your mom, I can't get the phone back. So, as everything that leads up to her taking your phone from you, >> there's nothing we can do because you guys are juveniles, obviously. Um, but going to the extreme of choking you, that's a different story. So, I'll talk about grandpa real fast. >> A relative had to drive up, get her released, and bring her back to reestablish her living situation. More recently, she called that same relative in a rage, making disturbing statements about her children. address. >> Yes, sir. >> I was going to say I got the oldest for about 6 years. >> Is she always um in >> pretty much? And they moved from they lived well they lived at my house for a year and a half. No rent, nothing. >> All of them. >> All three of them. Yeah. And I lived here with my girlfriend. >> This is her house. >> Okay. >> And then they up and moved back to North Carolina. >> Mhm. and they moved in with the Mark's parents and after about 3 months they threw them out and they were living in a hotel >> and I gave them money to come back down here and then they moved in here something and >> but she's got a felony on her record too because that guy there he got caught I don't know five six years ago down in Lady Lake >> Lake and she went to court and did her side of it arrested both of them >> and Then >> they came back. She came back here, but then she moved to Tahoe with some guy. She got pregnant out there. She came back here, had an abortion. She's done had two abortions. Now she just yelled out, "Well, I don't care about you girls anyways cuz I got twins I'm caring cuz I'm pregnant." So, she probably is pregnant again. Okay. I got her a job at Paul Davis Restoration cuz I own Slim Construction. I'm a construction guy right now. I got her a job at Paul Daven Restoration. It lasted about 3 months. She liked to party, go out, run around, whatever. She lost that job. I got her a job with Suncool down in Lady Down in Lady Lake. >> It lasted about a month. >> Mhm. >> She had a job before that with the Bank of America as a bank manager. >> And I've been telling her and telling her, "Rosie, you got to change your life. These girls ain't living the right kind of life." >> And she doesn't like it because I'm right. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I didn't come to them. They came to me. Yeah. For her to say, "Well, I just want them to, you know, last time when when she went to Carolina, they put her in a psych that guy called the cops on her. married in 5983 >> I had to go up there kind of and get her out of there to bring her back here >> to reestablish her here >> and that's when she moved into my house and everything was good for about a year year and a half and then she started all her stuff again >> yeah um unfortunate part is >> you know she she may look out tonight >> that's where we're at with it um >> well when when when they called me to come back and get him this time she was on the phone with me and she's telling me that the Jada Jada's her exact words was a bisexual. You come get these kids. I don't want these kids. This that and the other. But now she's saying the other way about it. >> He has no living quarters for him. >> And like I said, I know he's got a warrant for war in Lady Lake. >> Yeah. Lake Lake County. >> Okay. Um Okay. So, we're uh give me a second. Line up at bumpers. I don't know. continer department. She called me cussing me out. Why' you put me out? I let her stay tonight. I let her wait until she went in front of the judge to try and teach her a lesson northbound. >> She odeed about >> all unit. >> It was fentanyl. >> Fentanyl. Okay. Uh give me give me a few seconds. >> Yeah. And I met the officer here to take my granddaughter at that point. They told me I had >> I had them >> I don't know week or two. >> Have you ever um >> Have they ever disclosed to you any other time that they have ever >> battered by her? >> Have I >> have they ever disclosed to you? >> Yeah, they told me that today that this ain't the first time. >> Okay. Mhm. >> All right. Just give a second. All right. So, if you want to cuz she's probably going to do you uh >> do y'all want to uh hang out in the car for a second car? >> Yeah. >> Meanwhile, the man she was living with had no stable housing and reportedly had an active warrant in another county. As officers tried to explain the situation, she became confused and upset. Without warning, they placed her in handcuffs. She panicked, asking repeatedly why she was being arrested and insisting she had done nothing wrong. >> Stay. >> Wait, I just wanted to ask you again. Um, >> by mail and female. >> What? So, what happened when they when they came when they showed up here? >> CJ, you're on speaker. Okay, I'm listening. You hear me? What? I'm sorry. What happened again when they came here? >> From your >> My kids have full custody of them. I don't understand what's going on. >> Well, we just want to know if there's a physical altercation that happened when when they got here with you. >> No. >> Did you guys um >> No, there's no physical altercation. I don't touch my kids. My dad used to do this to me. I will never be that. >> Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. What? What? What? Hold on. Wait. What? No. No. No. No. No. No. Why are you doing this? No. No. No, I have pets. Why are you putting me in cuffs right now? Why are you putting me in cuffs, sir? >> I want >> Why are you putting me in cuffs? >> I'm going to read your Miranda war ones. >> Why? What did I do? >> Officers began reading her Miranda rights, but she didn't understand what was happening. She interrupted several times, still confused, still asking what she had done. When they told her she was being arrested for child abuse, she broke down. I'll >> tell you. Just give me a second. All right. >> Why are you putting me in cuffs right now though? Please. >> You have the right to say anything you say can and will be used against court lawyer. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have a present with you while being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a law, a lawyer won't be appointed to represent you any questioning. If you wish, you can decide anytime you these rights. You listen and ask any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights I explained to you? >> No. I don't know why I'm in cuffs right now. What did I do? >> Do you understand the rights I just explained to you? No. >> Well, I'm going to read them to you again. Okay. >> Are you requesting lawyer? Is that what you said? >> Hey, it's 104. >> What can I do? >> I'm at home. I didn't touch my body. >> My dad paid you. >> But you will be >> My dad paid for child abuse. >> For what? >> Child abuse. >> Are you >> I just said no. I just said I did not touch my kid. >> Okay. >> Are you kidding me? >> I Let's go. >> Really? >> Let's go. >> Really? >> Yes. You're serious. >> You all you would never I don't touch my head. Are you kidding me? He used to hit me. >> Why is he doing this? >> I never take seat for >> Kick your feet in. >> Kick your feet in. >> No, this is wrong. >> Kick your feet in. Oh, he's like elder abuse if you put my foot in. >> Are you elder? >> I'm 35. >> Not really. >> Why are you doing this to me? >> Get your feet in for me. >> He used to hit me. >> Go and kick your feet in here. He's going to pull you in on the other side. >> This is He's taking my kid for the ride. >> You putting the feet in? All right. Come on. where your head. >> Eventually, [clears throat] the officers placed her fully in the vehicle. She was taken into custody and charged with child abuse. The two girls were finally safe and their mother [clears throat] was facing charges for what she did. What do you think should happen to parents who hurt their children? Should there be stricter laws for child abuse? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and stand up for those who can't.