On March 23rd, 2025, a woman arrived at the sheriff's office for a routine custody exchange with her children's father. But instead of completing the handoff, she unexpectedly drove away, abandoning her three infant children at the sheriff's office. For an entire hour, deputies attempted to call the mother before finally making contact, urging her to return immediately. Here's what the deputies did next. >> Please leave your left at the sheriff's office. Okay. >> 22 cuz I saw him pull in and then he must have went back there and left because when I saw him pull in he probably saw me and then he was like I'm not coming near her because he's not supposed to. So therefore he didn't pull up and get the kid. >> I'm assuming he is the dad. >> Yeah. >> Okay order. He's not supposed to be near me. >> How is your How is your child custody swaps? How are they supposed to be >> How are they supposed to be handled? >> All right. Please. How is the child custody swap supposed to happen? >> Uh through here or a third party? Third party refused. So we had to come here and he was on his way. >> Right. But so why did you leave them without verifying that there was someone to care for them? >> Well, because I saw him. I didn't know that he wasn't going to he was going to leave. So I guess he left and then when I got the call, I come back. It's not a big deal. >> It is a big deal. >> It is a big deal. Okay. Look, you guys want to say, "Oh, I left them." Fine. >> The fact is is that time out. I'm going to cut you off. This is going to go one or two ways. You cannot call me. >> This is going to go one of two ways. You're going to go to jail right now and we're going to call DCF >> for what? >> Don't call my bluff. We'll take you to jail. You're going to go to jail right now and we'll call DCF. >> I'm here. You can say >> I'm here. >> Okay. But you've already done what you've done. We're not reversing that. >> But you're going to you're going to sit here and argue and tell us we're wrong for not watching. >> You're not wrong. >> We do not. >> You're so right. Please. Please. >> Where's your paper at? Let's see where this judge says the sheriff's office is going to watch. >> What? It doesn't say that. It doesn't say. >> Oh, so now it doesn't say that. >> It doesn't say that you can't. >> We're not going to peace offer. >> Now, here's what >> you're very You're very peaceful yourself. You know that? >> Because you called me shaming me. That >> here. Yes. >> Okay. But the father was right here. >> Why is that? Where's he at? Where's he at? Doesn't matter. He was right there. >> It does matter. That's what we're trying to tell. He >> called me and I came back to show up, right? >> Okay. Let's see where it says this. Okay, hold on. >> Exchange of the minor children shall take place at the sheriff's office or through the third party >> at. >> He is not >> at >> what do you mean >> at the sheriff's office? >> Like at the sheriff's office. That doesn't mean drop your off and then you leave and the kids stay here. >> Here when he pulled >> Where were you at in the kids? Where were they? >> I was here until he pulled in. >> Was he at Who was >> He must have left. Who was >> Because I didn't I can't contact him. I'm not supposed to like Hey, >> I am amazed that you are not understanding what we're talking about. >> I do understand what you're talking about. >> You do not. >> Okay. So, you're calling me stupid. >> No, I'm saying you do not understand what we are telling you. That's what I'm telling you. >> Explain to me. >> You cannot leave. You cannot drop off. They're hungry >> and leave. >> Okay, the fine. Fine. I'm so sorry. Take them to jail. Like I to go feed them. >> Well, obviously we don't want to take you to jail, but my goodness. >> Okay, please so I can take them home and feed them. Please. I'm at this point. >> I need to verify that you are who you say you are. You got your driver's license. We're >> good on it. I'll do it. 61. Can you copy one by Florida DL number, please? >> Good. >> Who sets the time for me to know when to be here? >> The judge. >> The judge. So, is it like a sign time for time swapping? >> Yeah. >> So, where did your last custody swap happen at? >> The third party. >> The third party. She no longer. So, that's why I came here. I contacted her and I told her, "Hey, let him know that I'm coming here." And she told me, "Okay, he's on his way. I'm out here with the cop." The woman hoped and and I don't know if it was a cop or not. I said, "Okay, when when I see him and she clarified, when you see him, you can go." So, I saw him. He came around here and then I left. And then I got a call and I came back. So what I'm So what I'm saying is like who who was the verified person as the caregiver for your kids before you left here? >> I just said Shelly. >> No no no no. Tonight >> I'm sorry. What? >> Like before before you just left them here with us? Who was who was supposed to be their caregiver? Like did you ensure they were with a caregiver before you left >> that you that you can't just leave? >> You guys you guys did say that multiple times. It was a misunderstanding. That's all this was. >> That's I'm not understanding how it's a misunderstanding >> because she I handed her and she said you can go and then I left. So now you guys are calling me saying >> so she told you that you could go. >> Yeah. She obviously I wouldn't just like leave without her saying that. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. >> Hey Claire, did you at any point tell her whenever you see him you can go? >> No. I said you can wait in the parking lot until he has the kids and then you have both. >> Okay. So, she is lying. >> Hey, can will you step out here with us? That way we can ver She's saying things that aren't necessarily true >> and we just need to verify. Are you good? Do you mind for just a minute? I'm sorry. >> And did you at any point tell her to stop when she was leaving? >> No, I didn't. >> And there she is. You can ask her herself yourself. >> Okay. >> Can I please if she said you can go? She says that you said she could just seriously >> That's what we were just verifying. She did not say that. >> No, I said, >> "Okay, so when I hear you, why don't you just say >> listen to me for a second?" Sure. >> I said, "When your husband >> gets here, tell me he's here. You can listen to me. You can get in your car and you can wait at the other end of the parking lot." >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. >> And then you can both leave when he has the >> Okay, I'm sorry. I did not hear that. That's This is a misunderstanding. listening. >> Okay, that's allecially after and they probably need snacks cuz we have >> care of them. >> You're not going to keep me. >> Why? >> Cuz you're going to jail. >> I know. We were playing games. >> I wasn't messing with you at all. >> Why? I just said I came back till you guys wanted me to come back. >> I didn't need to. I thought I was >> I don't understand how you're not understanding the situation that you're in now. Courtney, the court order said that it's not supposed to hear me. >> And I told you >> the court order says a third party. You wouldn't be violating >> probably DCF at this point. >> Please don't do this. What do you What do you have? What do you have on me though? What is this about? >> I'm here. I'm back. I'm back an hour later. after yelling at us. After yelling at us on After yelling at us on the phone that this is our That's why you're arresting me. >> That this is our fault. >> Okay. Are you arresting me cuz I yelled at >> I'm arresting you for leaving? >> Final final time. We're going to tell you child. What? What? What's >> for misunderstand? Do not leave. >> I didn't hear you say that. I did not hear. What's your name and badge number? >> Deputy 198. >> What's your name and badge number? >> It'll be on your arrest report. >> No, I need to know now. >> It'll be on your arrest report. What's your name and bad match number, ma'am? >> Name and badge number, please. Is your policy? >> It is not. >> It is not. >> Yes, it is. >> I don't even have a badge number. >> Okay. What's your name? >> Deputy Alrech, which will be on your arrest report. >> Wow. Can I please call my mom? >> No. >> Okay. >> Do you care which side she's in? >> Oh, I was when I obviously >> I thought you and now you're just doing this because I sticking up for myself. >> Sit down the car. Never been arrested in my life. >> Okay. >> I don't understand what she doesn't understand. >> I don't either. >> That's why I kept asking her. I said, "Who was in care of the kids when you just left?" And she was like, >> "I'll deal." >> What do you mean? >> I'll deal with you. Unless you just want me to write it, which is fine. >> No. All right. >> Cuz I told I sat out here and talked to her. >> You told me that you told her she could go. >> No. I told her exactly what I just said. I said when he gets here, you can tell me that's his car, and then you can wait in your car at the end of the parking lot, and after he has the kids, you can both leave. >> You know what? I'm just I'm going to take her over there, and then I'll be right back. [Music] Say goodbye. >> The suspect was charged with three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. At this time, the suspect's court case is ongoing [Music]