Get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> Did she tell anybody to take the kid with her? >> No. That's so nice. >> Your hand. >> She came from me from the back and started like using her nails to like rip my face and my hands off of the phone. >> These children did not choose their circumstances. Yet, they courageously spoke up about adult actions while they continued to explain and avoid accountability. >> Remember when had to go to the bathroom and I took her to the bathroom? >> Hey, watch them do it. Quit typing ON THAT GODDAMN COMPUTER, MAN. drive the goddamn car. >> Who was watching the vehicle? >> Nobody. That lady lying. She don't even know them. >> This video captures the moment when delay and poor judgment meet official oversight. And the outcome is guided by responsibility, not emotion. >> You ever been in trouble before? >> Like for fraud, not for like child or robbery. >> This mother had no prior child related concerns on record. Not necessarily because everything was handled perfectly, but because the situation had never been closely reviewed before. On February 26th, 2024, officers responded to a Shell gas station after a 3-year-old child was discovered alone inside a restroom. The child appeared confused and without supervision, wearing only shorts and a tank top while people passed by without realizing what was happening. During this time, the mother made repeated phone calls attempting to explain her actions. How's it going? She just in the bathroom. >> She was just in the bathroom. >> Crying at first. We just thought crying. >> The last time people came in before her. >> I didn't see no kids walk in. >> Gotcha. So, you're not mom? >> No. >> You just found her. >> It's so nice of y'all to come and get >> Hey, we're going to try to figure it out. Put your hand in. There was a bunch of people here. >> How long have you been here? >> I've been here about an hour. It was a lot of people coming in and >> Did you see her with anyone? >> No, I never seen the little one. I seen grown women and stuff. Did they accidentally leave? How could that be? >> That's what Yeah. More. >> Did any of those ladies look like under the influence of anything? Like they would forget a kid? >> No. Mm- No. They looked a fat. They was out there joking and playing and, you know, playing music and I thought everything was okay. We going to make you a little dress, mama. I got to say, >> let me get a plan. Okay. All right. I got a big safety team. >> You look cool, mama. >> Restroom over there. >> Come on. You feel better? >> They going to take care of you. See that for police? >> Mhm. >> They going to take care of you. >> Do you know how old you are? No. >> You this many? You got to take her to DCF. >> Look inside her jacket. >> Oh no. The lady volunteered that. Somebody in the parking lot. She didn't have nothing inside the jacket. >> But it should be in there. >> No. >> It's a shame. And I'm like, if this was my grandbaby, my daughter would be slapped a couple times. >> So, she just had shorts in the tank top. >> And it wasn't even that hot today, >> bro. Okay. Where is y'all at? I will come. Where y'all at? >> Where is y'all at? Y'all don't know where y'all going or where y'all from. So, where is y'all at? >> By public. >> The public's right off the road. >> No, no, It's a public right here and there's right there. But we came from this direction. >> What are what's else is nearby? >> Put bro put on the phone, bro. Cuz apparently y'all don't know where the y'all at. And I don't I don't see how the y'all don't put on the phone. Y'all tripping for real. For real. For real. For real. Y'all like I'm not on that. Where y'all at? BM. >> You have another baby in the car? >> Yeah. My son in the car. Yeah, I just, you know. >> Huh? >> That's right here, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. We're at the shell that we was at from the get-go. Remember when had to go to the bathroom and I took her to the bathroom? Hello? >> Hey, give >> Audrey. Just tell her to come here. Give her the address. >> Give her the address. See the big letters right there. >> Right here. 693 >> setting up her alibi already. >> I don't know what the [ __ ] she got going on. I don't know what type of drug she's doing, but I don't care about my kids. >> Hey, how are you? >> Hey, I'm not leaving with you. But any um so cool. Yo, we at the gas station use the bathroom. You feel me? So being that I had to pay for, you feel me? I told my dad a girlfriend. I can't even get my words out right now. I'm so mad, girl. Like, oh my gosh. Any who? Yeah. So I told her to watch my child, you feel me? Make sure she get in the car with them, you feel me? Being that do call me and got emergency, you feel me? So boom, they still ended up pulling out at the same time as me, you feel me? Cool. So we get to landfare. I asked I said, "Where my baby at?" said she in the car with that's her Facebook name but her real name is I don't even know in jail the police got my baby my neighbor called my phone and was like is everything good with and I'm like what you mean and then she was like oh the police just called me and said and I asked her could she go to the police and put the police on the phone and I talked to the police myself and then they told me what was going on and I came up here >> take care of him so she can fill that in later. >> He just want me to pick him up cuz I'm pregnant. Yeah, he just >> that's it. >> He don't have no bottom clothes on. What you say? >> All right. >> Even those present from the beginning seemed uncertain, unsure of who was actually responsible for watching the child. >> How are you? >> Good. >> Come out. Can you come out here? Well, you got a smile on. >> Yeah. >> She's intoxicated under the influence. >> Something. You high or you drunk? >> No, I'm not. >> High or drunk? >> No, I'm fine. >> Which one of the swallows? >> Come on. >> Yeah, cuz ain't nothing funny about this thing. >> Take her over there and interview her. >> You tripping my child involved. I don't play. >> You can wait right over there. Go ahead. Go with this officer over there. >> Okay. Yeah, >> you were here as well, right? >> Of course. >> Tell me what's going on. >> So, we all pulled up in three separate cars. My car's car and that car. And I remember her saying that she's going to take which is I told her say, "I want a Gatorade. We're going to hop out the car." She took charge her own car and she sat in the car the whole time. I don't know if he has surveillance points for that angle. >> Well, that's what we're trying to get. But did she tell anybody to take the kid with her? >> No. I think so. Yeah. [ __ ] >> All right. >> Yeah. I'm not I'm >> Hey, who's working this case? >> Yeah. And she's like she's giggling cuz she's like in the car the whole time. That's why she's giggling. >> So she was in the car the whole time. She never bro me a favor and stay right here. >> Okay. So why is she saying that you are? >> I don't know. >> Okay. So So tell me what happened then from the from the beginning of tonight. What's going on? >> I think she lost track of her kids and she didn't know what to say. That's really what I think. >> Okay. So what happened when you guys got here? got here. >> Yeah. When you got here for the first time. When you guys came here the first time, you stopped here, right? >> She got gas and then she left. >> Did you go in the store at all? >> No. >> You just stayed in the car the whole time? No. >> Okay. >> Did she say anything to you? Tell you to grab her kid? >> No. >> Nothing? >> Not at all. >> Do you have >> Let me talk to her real quick. All right. Just wait right here. So, this other girl says the same things cuz she never got out of the car and nobody ever said no. She never told nobody to grab her kid. >> Mhm. >> I don't think she's >> Well, she wasn't on any of the videos or pictures. >> And the other girl right here that I just talked to with the thing on her head. >> Mhm. >> She said that girl insane. Nobody took her kid. >> So, just keep that in mind when you're talking to her. >> Yeah. >> When the mother arrived, she provided unclear explanations stating that she had asked someone to look after her child, but could not identify who that person was. This highlighted a lack of coordination among adults resulting in the child being left alone without proper oversight. >> The right to talk to a lawyer and have present with you while you're being questioned. If you can afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. Decide at any time to execute these rights and not answer any questions or make any statement. Do you understand each of these rights of explain to you? Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me? Okay. So, what what happened tonight? What happened tonight? I mean like start to finish. >> Okay. was, you know, at my house, you know, chilling, which is where I Yeah. And so if you look at my uncle, right, they're my speakers. I left my house to meet him. And then not only that, I had to meet my other uncle too cuz you know, he said it was an emergency, but it wasn't emergency. >> Okay. >> So boom, I left that uncle and I went to that uncle, which is And then when I got like by downtown, well, when I got I'm going too fast. When I was in Landfair, when me and my uncle came back, I saw cuz I had went in the house, you feel me? When I came back outside, BM was like, "What?" I was like, "Oh, Chair in the car with my daddy girlfriend." >> So that's after you had come here. >> Yeah. I was like, "Oh, Chair in the car with my daddy girlfriend and you know the other girl." She was like, "Okay, okay." My uncle asked the same thing. You feel me? Boom. We leave there. I get down by downtown. That's when my neighbor text me. I'm like, "Is everything okay?" Cuz the police asked me about I'm like, "Huh?" So I called her and then that's when I told her to give y'all the phone so I can talk to y'all. So at any point like what happened when you guys went in the store? >> When we went in the store, I took my baby directly to the bathroom. You feel me? I told her, "Lock the door." You feel me? I told her, "Don't come unless she hear me or you feel me?" Cuz she's smart. She know she know how to talk real good everything. Feel. So boom. >> Before I even got out the car and before we even got here, I had already told, you feel me? I'm going to pay for her gas. What all y'all need out the store? I'mma buy that. Bought everybody everything they needed out the store. >> Came out the store. I took the sandwich which is I took her the right bag cuz her stuff was in it or whatever and I got back in my car and then we left. >> So before you got here, where did you come from? Tell me about before you got here. Just before you came from my house, Berkeley. >> So you guys >> So which way which way did you come from Berkeley? Did you come from that direction or do you come from that direction? >> No, we came from that way. >> Okay. Then you pulled in here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Then tell me what happens as soon as you get in here. When we put in, we parked over there. >> Okay. And you get out of the car and what? >> I got the car and I went in the store. Took maybe to the bathroom and I went to the counter. >> Okay. >> Then I out the store and then I went to car and I was like, "Damn, you good. Just make sure you stay behind me cuz they going to follow you in the car with them." She was like, "Okay." >> So when you walked in the store, you all went in together or separately? >> No, she told me that. She told me that she was going to freak the black and then she was coming in. That's why I mentioned to them. I said because she never went in the store. >> I don't know these girls names. So, >> the girl in the colored shorts. >> Yeah. >> And then the the skinny girl. >> The skinny girl. I don't know her. That's I don't know. I just met her. So, how do you know girl? >> Okay. The skinny girl. Black girl. >> No. The black girl. >> I don't know. >> You don't know? You don't know her? >> I only know and so when you all three went in the store together, right? didn't come in the store. Exactly. >> I'm not talking about I'm not talking about the white girl. I never saw her on video. I'm talking about the skinny black girl. You >> the skinny black girl said she was coming in to get a getter. She did say that, but I don't know if she came directly behind me and being she had >> I don't know what the bathroom's in there. Is it a single bathroom with the door? >> No, it's a single bathroom. Yeah. >> So, yeah. So, when you open the door, it's just one bathroom. So, so your daughter goes in there and locks the door. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then what happened? I went to the counter cuz I told her if I don't come back to the door that was coming back to the door to get out because she was going to get in the car. >> Where were these two? Where were these two when you were at the counter? >> The ones that came in with you? >> Yeah. >> Skinny girl. >> I don't know. I don't know. >> You don't know if they were still in the store when you left? Where were they? >> You have no idea. >> I'm not too sure cuz I was, you know, in between thinking. >> So, you don't know if they were in the store, outside the store? >> No, cuz for one wasn't even supposed to come in the store. She was supposed to sit in her car. You feel me? cuz I was pumping her gas. I was paying for everything she wanted. She already told me everything she wanted. You feel me? >> Who was supposed to take your child then? >> The white girl. >> The one that didn't get out of the car. >> Yeah. >> And when did when did you tell her to do that? >> I had told her before I even got out the car and before we even made it here, we had already said, you know, where we going? So back at Berkeley, y'all talked about >> we had already talked and everything about everything cuz she was already watching my kids at Berkeley cuz I was sitting outside with her and that girl. They was already, you feel me, on my stairs, you know, sitting chilling with the kids watching the kids and I was just sitting in the parking lot cuz I was too busy bothering with the music in my car. That's why I had, you know, mentioned that I end up taking out my car. >> I won't do you. So, you didn't think you wanted to make sure that your child was in anybody's custody? You left her locked in the bathroom and expecting somebody else to come get her. Don't know if they're in there. They're outside. >> I don't even have a car seat in her car for her. >> Who? >> If she was supposed to go with her. >> Yeah, that's what she said. She had a car seat in that car. That's why I didn't mind her gun. Not only that, I watch my kids plenty of times, you feel me? Before my dad went to jail, it was all us together, you know, every day. So, you feel me? I don't have no trust issues or no concerns or none of that. I never had no problems with her watching my kids. You feel me? >> Okay. >> That's why I didn't think nothing of it cuz I never had to, you know, do nothing like that. >> What did >> what >> about taking the child? >> Yeah. That you guys never had that conversation. She had no She was like, "That's why she didn't even get out of the car." >> You can even ask the the big house girl. Yeah. She's saying she never heard anything. >> You're saying that you didn't ask anybody to watch her? >> No, I didn't ask them to to watch her. I had only asked >> because Angel already watching. >> I'm saying all of them said you didn't ask anybody or anyone. >> But that's a not only that, you feel me? >> You see how she came up smiling and stuff. So if you ask me, she done did or something. But she wasn't like that. >> You would trust her to watch your kids. >> Who's responsible? >> I'm saying she wasn't like that when all us together. She was not like that when she just got out the car and y'all said what you smiling for and stuff and I said what I said. She wasn't like that. >> Regardless of the circumstances, the primary responsibility always rests with a parent to ensure a child is supervised, has a place to rest, is appropriately dressed and remains in a safe setting. >> Ultimately, you're responsible for your child, >> right? You're required to provide supervision. You're required to provide a roof over their head, food, clothing, and all that. So if you expect somebody to take care of your child, you should at least make sure that they have custody of your child. Does that make sense? >> So rather than leaving, she's what? Just rather than leaving just locked in the bathroom, you need to make sure that is with her before you're going to walk away and then leave the whole store. Especially if y'all are going to be in three different cars and you're not going to know. >> Yeah, you're fine. especially if you're going to be in three different cars and you're not going to know who's traveling with who and just expecting a to jump into somebody's car that's not yours, you know. So, she was in the bathroom just crying and the cashier had no idea like he thought that she was in there with a parent or something and then it wasn't until they went over and she opened the door for them and she was alone. But, I mean, I've been here with her for a minute. >> So, I don't know when you realize >> we were here for over an hour. We got here an hour after you guys left. >> That's the thing. I have and me you can even ask and you can ask my uncle my uncle said where's I said church is in the car with my dad girlfriend even asked me I said is in the car with my dad girlfriend they said okay I would have never knew nothing if my neighbor didn't text me and I'll even show y'all >> right >> and then another person also called me too >> how else >> she sa >> you ever been in trouble before >> like for fraud not for like child or robbery So, you've been arrested before for fraud? >> Yes, sir. >> How recently was that? >> Um, that was >> Are you done with all that? Still going through the courts or are you on probation? >> I'm on probation. >> You're on probation? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, hop down for me. So, I know you say you've never been in trouble for child or anything. Tonight, you are being arrested for child. Okay. So, just put your hands behind your back. >> Turn around. Put your hands behind your back. >> Really? >> Yes. Okay. Can I call? No. No. Can I call my baby daddy? Please. >> We'll let make a phone call. Put on speaker. You can talk to him as soon as she gets you cuffed. Okay. >> Please turn around. >> Put your hand in your back. Just listen to what she's telling you. Once you listen to her, just follow her directions for right now. And when that's done, then answer. >> Please just give me a chance. Like, can y'all just give me a DCF case of something? Like, please. >> Well, DCF is going to come out. They're going to be talking to you. >> I know, but they're on their way right now. >> I know, but please can y'all just do that instead of taking me to jail, please. The mother was charged with thirdderee felony child. Under Florida law, she could face up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. This story serves as a reminder that children always need care and protection. And sometimes a small moment of attention can make a meaningful difference. At the delicate boundary between family relationships and legal responsibility, a single moment of poor judgment cost the father his ability to decide freely. your hand. >> Your hand. >> On November 3rd, 2022, officers were contacted after a babysitter reported that the child's father entered the home and took the child while she was preparing a drink. Both the babysitter and the child's mother shared that there had been ongoing tension and an existing court order limiting the father's actions, indicating that he did not have permission to take the child independently. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Are you the babysitter or you mom? >> I'm the babysitter. The mom went to work. >> Where does mom work at? talk to her. >> Yeah, we'll need to. >> Yeah, he eluded y'all before in the past. I had a problem with him on Facebook and I'm not going to argue with him with his baby and I don't want him or anything cuz he said several times I got a gun. So, I'm like I'm not going to fight somebody. I'm just a babysitter. >> No, I got you. >> I was sitting right here in the sofa. He just busted the door. >> And when you say he busted in the door, does he have a key? >> Just open the door and came in. >> Okay. >> Usually the door is locked, but she had just went out the door. Okay. She just went out the door. >> So the door hadn't been locked up back up yet? >> No. She went out the door. I went to get the baby some juice in a bottle. Get ready to bring the baby to juice in a bottle and lock the door. Before I can lock the door, he had already opened the door and came. >> What's your name, man? >> Not in trouble. >> No, you're not in trouble. >> Because I you're a witness to all this, right? No control. You're picking that baby up and going out the door. >> We're just We just need your information. >> Yeah. What's your phone number? >> I don't have him barred quite yet because I haven't caught him out there or two bar him since the last time. There's nonviolent protective order in place. >> There's one. >> You're Jessica. Okay. You got your ID on you about >> He must have been watching for me to get on that bus to go to work and pulled in right as soon as >> I told him. I told him I went to get the juice from her and he just picked her up and it was like I said, you know, what's your daughter's name? Yeah. Can I get a picture? Forward to the entire police department. >> Sorry about that, y'all. >> I probably >> Ma'am, it's okay. You don't need to be sorry. It's >> It's a point fingers. >> It's a tense situation. Mike, I'm saying I can't go up against some frightening old people. >> This is him. This is him. >> Okay. People don't know you're here. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> You kidnapped our daughter. >> Yo, wait. Are you serious? >> Yes, I'm serious. >> Why would I pull up? >> You waited till I got on the bus and pulled up and kidnapped our daughter from my house. >> No, I did not. I got her to come pick you up. Where you at? >> I said no. Do not get her. I was on my way to work and you know that. You trying to be funny now and trying to play games now, but you just kidnapped our daughter. I said no. Do not take her. Sister me told you I said no. Here's a better one. >> No, she did mine. >> Where are you at? Where are you? >> Where are you? >> On the way to work on the bus. >> I'll let you know. >> You're my job. You're >> Well, the bus won't get me there till like 8:15. It drops me off at 8:15. >> Okay. It's about 20 minutes. Are you Have you been to the bus terminal yet? >> Yeah, I'm on five. >> You outside the terminal now? I'm on number five on my way there. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. >> Explain this protective order or like this. Uh >> I've been in a four-year relationship of domestic violence. I even have no acco right because of it. Okay. We recently split up 3 months ago. He has a nonviolent protective order. He's supposedly he's got a warrant in Ogthorp County. He's going to have a warrant today when he don't show up for court cuz they're trying it's a pre-trial trials next week for aggravated child. Is that enough explanation? >> No. That's plenty. That's plenty. >> He's allowed to be around me. He's not allowed to call me out the name. He's not allowed to take my daughter. He has no rights to period. >> Yeah. He advised that he would be there waiting with the child cuz that's where she works. And she uh told him that she was on her way there. >> He's been going around doing all kind of harassing the gas station attendant, picking up chips and eating them in front of him, not paying him, just going around acting like a teenage punk. He's 41 years old. He get on this. He think he untouchable. We'll be right back. >> After gathering initial statements, officers began locating the father's vehicle, marking the beginning of an urgent situation where every decision carried serious implications for the child's wellbeing. >> No, this is it. We might have him towards commerce. All right. So, you know where I'm talking about right now? >> Not really. >> Okay. 362 is about to block him off. >> I see him now. All right, go ahead. Just go over. He's bailing out. >> Get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> Your hands behind you. >> What I'm doing? Look what I'm doing. >> Check this. Get >> get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> Get the kid. >> I got both hands. >> I got I got this hand. I got this hand. I got >> I got him. >> Give me your hand. >> Tas him. Tas him. Tase him. He's active. So tas him. >> Roll his wrist. >> Roll his wrist. It's over. >> Roll him over, sir. >> What did I do, man? >> Get out. >> Stay right there. >> Hey, Thomas, stop resisting. I >> ain't resisting. I'm not resisting. I'm not resisting. I'm not resisting. WHY ARE YOU BANGING MY HEAD ON THE CONCRETE? >> HEY. HEY. >> I ain't resisting, man. Hell no. Come on, chill. >> It ain't right, man. Is not right. >> I'm not resisting my hand. >> What the IS GOING ON? >> LISTEN TO ME, BUDDY. ROLL TO YOUR SIDE. >> MY KIDS MY KIDS mother had TOLD ME TO CALL ME. THE POLICE SIDE KIDNAP my kids. I ain't do no like that. >> That's what I freaked out, man. >> Roll over on the other side. >> What's going on? Hell no. Y'all trying TO [ __ ] UP PUSH ME and [ __ ] >> All on your other side. >> Thank you. That was some real loud bull. It don't take all this, man. Bull, man. They did nothing wrong, man. This would have got my damn daughter to pick my damn wife up. >> Not going nowhere. >> Yeah, you're definitely not going anywhere. >> I know that. >> I was just trying to fix my arm. >> You can look my record, everything. >> Okay. But right now, you're in the car with someone who has a kidnapped child. Okay. That's his daughter. >> That's blunt to his car. What the going on? Hell no. What's going on? Let's close this car right there. >> Bang my goddamn car for no goddamn reason. >> Tell me what going on. >> That is his daughter. >> He has He has no legitimation. Zero. >> All right. Tell me what's going. Please tell me what the >> Tell you when you get in the car. TAKE A SEAT. >> OKAY. I'M GOING TO GET IN THE GODDAMN CAR. >> Now sit down. >> Sit in the car. Slide back. Do not make that OFFICER DRAG YOU BACK. Slide back. >> All right, Thomas. Thomas, you slide back. >> Take him, homie. >> He ain't moving. >> Thomas, I'm moving. Thomas, >> then get in the car. >> Thomas, you know me. >> Get in the car, then. Put your legs in. >> Put your legs in. >> During this process, he unintentionally involved this woman, drawing her into legal complications alongside him. >> Back your head up, >> baby. >> My daughter, >> baby. >> No, he did. >> Car is completely clear. >> I haven't. Yeah, the there's no no more people in it. >> That is her fault. >> Okay, let me put her right there. >> All right, she's good. You want to throw her in her car somewhere? >> However, the woman attempted to speak on the father's behalf, explaining that he was simply picking up his child as he had done before. >> What do you think? You're all wet. >> Hey, baby. She okay? >> Yeah. >> Look, is that better? >> All dry. >> Who is she? His girlfriend or something? >> Yeah, girlfriend. >> Where is she at? She's going in my car 66 right there. >> She's going in whose car? >> Right there. >> What's your name? >> Tabitha. >> Who are you to him? >> I'm his girlfriend. Well, I don't know. You consider a friend or girlfriend? >> So, you're his girlfriend? Um, >> are you good? >> I'm good, lady. Thank you. I appreciate you, man. Nice vlog. >> Yeah, man. No worries. >> It's his daughter. He's She's been letting him come and get her about every day. She's been letting him come and get her, pick her up, and everything. >> All right. Were you with him when you picked her up? >> No. >> Okay. So, he came and picked you up somewhere else. Yeah. >> Appreciate your help, sir. >> Yes, sir. No problem. >> Why didn't he stop? >> I don't know to be honest. >> Well, the reason all this is happening like it is is because I guess the baby was with the kidnapp with the babysitter and said he just came over and grabbed the baby. >> She had just called him and talked to her. She He was We were on our way to go get to Well, he was on the way to her. >> So, your impression is that he had he regularly goes and gets a kid? >> Yes. >> Thomas, what the going on? >> Can you tell me what's going on, Tom? >> Yeah. Hang on. Let me get some information from you first, >> man. Look, man. I went to take my wife about to take her to work. She hadn't called the Uber. I grabbed my daughter and called her to meet her. What the going on? Then she told me to say, "Oh, you kidnapping out my daughter. We've been arguing and [ __ ] like that, but I never kidnapped my damn daughter, man." >> Yes. Where can he pick you up at? >> Um, down. >> Tried to run. >> Yeah, he tried to dr. I guess trooper popped him and I jumped on him. I mounted him >> and I seen all the police when I talked to him. I knew what the going on. >> Remind me your name again. >> Come on, Thomas. You moving with me, man. And the cuffs are too damn tight. I can't >> I can't feel my damn my damn wrist, man. My damn hand going numb. >> Complaining about his cure. >> Yes. >> Damn, man. >> Stay right here. The officer is going to check. >> Hey, ma'am. I'm not talking to you at all. My name is Officer M. I'm not going to ask you any questions about what happened. Just want to make sure you need medical attention or anything. Are you okay? Okay. >> Am I going to be arrested or what? Cuz >> I do not know. I'm just here as an assistant officer. I don't know all the facts and circumstances. I'm just here to assist from a circumstance on the east side. Okay. >> All right. >> You ran from us. Why didn't you stop? Because I just told her she told me that she damn told, "Oh, you kidnapped our daughter." Okay. >> Like, why the would you say some dumb when you call me to pick you up to take you to work and then you going to get a Uber? That don't make no damn serious. >> That's the only reason why I ran cuz I supposed to meet her at the bus stop over on Baxter Street. That's where I was headed to. I ain't bull. I ain't telling no lie. >> He's signal 35. He probably has to go straight to 600, interview him later on. >> I don't think we even tried to interview him. >> Okay. How about the female? >> She's saying wasn't with him when he picked up the kid. I didn't talk to her about anything. >> No, she Well, I just briefly talked to her. I'll go formally interview her, but we'll have him just take >> into my car. No goddamn reason. I got out was on the ground and parked in parked. What kind of that mother unnecessary damage to my what? I ain't wrecked my own. What you wrecking for? Stupid mother. They mad cuz they couldn't goddamn catch up. >> Before having the opportunity to clearly explain the situation, he made unsafe choices while traveling with the child. Had he remained calm and cooperative from the beginning, the outcome might have been very different. >> Fleeing attempting to It's going to be a felony fleeing because he was more than 20. >> It's It's felony. >> Ain't no damn felony. >> He doesn't have cuffs on. >> No damn charges lie, man. That ain't no damn felony fleeing. >> Stay still. >> [ __ ] is a fleeing. >> No, I want this off. >> No, jack it off. >> Yeah, I'm trying to fix this and get it off. >> It's felony fleeing because of the charge of being >> Man, shut up. If you're going more than 20 over while fleeing, it's a felony. >> Well, we got up to 100. So, >> yeah. Can you just do the EV on this? >> Take him to jail. >> Hey, stay in the car. >> I ain't going nowhere, >> man. I'm not going anywhere. >> Oh, we got to get him out of here. >> Go ahead and get on. Get my >> All right. So, Tabitha, here's the situation. You are obviously retained because of the whole situation. I want to talk to you about this situation. And like I said, I'm not saying we're charging you with anything. But you can't walk away right now, obviously, cuz you're being detained. You see what I'm saying? While we sort the situation out, but since you can't just walk away, I want to before I ask you any questions, I have to read you this. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. Hey, is he intoxicated? >> I haven't been around him enough to to assess that yet. >> Ah, that's fine. They got enough. >> He ain't drank anything. >> Okay. Cuz you smell like you have been drinking. No, I have not been drinking. I don't drink alcohol. >> Maybe it's something. It's not like it would be it wouldn't necessarily be illegal anyway, but I just wonder I smell something. But you have the right to remain silent. >> God damn, man. You You acting like you can't damn P. What the going on, man? >> You know what's going on, man. >> No, I don't goddamn know. I asked you and it's your right. Tell me what am I being Where was the kid at in the car? >> 71 >> in the car seat. Mother, you think? >> She was in her car seat buckled up, mother. Where you think she was at, you dummy? Yeah, I'll be out tonight. You >> got me again, mother. Give me another ride. I guarantee you going to have to run again. Tell him my charges, homie. >> You got kidnapping, felony fleeing. >> You know goddamn well this ain't no >> This is not no goddamn kidnapping, bro. This mother been doing this, man, forever on me, man. You hear what I'm saying to you, bro? >> The woman continued to clarify why the child was with them. However, officials were required to proceed formally as the father did not have the legal authority to take the child at that time. >> Having these rights of mind, you wish to talk to me now. >> Hey, actually step out. I'm going to move her over here and just talk to her. >> So, look, here's So, tell me and be honest if you when did he pick you up? >> Well, I mean, I'm not going to lie. I've been with him, but I didn't go to the house because the fact the girlfriend does not like me. >> Okay. Well, tell me why y'all went over there. >> I was like I said, I was in the car somewhere else. He parked somewhere else and walk. What did he tell y'all? He was going to tell you, >> man. I was asleep when I woke up. She was in the car. >> Okay. So, you can't talk now. That what you telling me, John? >> I can't talk to you like that, man. That's for the detectives. >> Sorry, man. I'm just upset, man. But how the can I sit at my own goddamn kid? Huh? >> Okay. So, you were asleep. Where Where have y'all been all night? >> Went to the house and then came back out this way. >> What do you mean the house? >> Washington. >> Y'all were out in Washington. You fell asleep in the car. You woke up and baby was in the car. >> Yeah. He had he was just picked her up and he had just talked to her, right? Whenever >> talk to who is baby mama? Yes. What did he did she >> He was on the way to go see her. >> Did he But but is he allowed to just take her like that? >> [ __ ] He been doing it. That's what I'm saying. He's been do he's been getting her every weekend. If not every weekend, every day. >> Okay. So he Were you there when she talked to him? He talked to her on the phone. >> Yeah, I was right there. We were inside Waffle House. We had just got food. We were about to feed the baby. The Waffle House up there. >> Oh, y'all went to the Waffle House up on 29. >> Yeah, we had just got food for the baby and everything. Did she call him and tell him to bring the baby back? >> No, he was on the way to go meet her, though. That's what I'm saying. He We were on the way to go up there. He was taking her up there to see her. >> So, when the police tried to stop him, what did he say to you why he wasn't stopping? >> Nothing. He just kept driving. I was holding on to the baby's car seat. That way, the baby wasn't just flying everywhere. >> I got you. Y'all over in Washington. Where were y'all headed? >> We were He has a house up there. So, we were staying up there for >> No, but but why'd y'all come back to Athens? >> Uh, I don't know to be honest. >> So, you fell asleep in the car. You woke up. Did he tell you like anything about how he went in and took the baby? Anything like that? >> I don't I don't ask because I know that she be letting him get him. >> Just come hang out over here with them. >> Hey, just I'll be done in a second. >> Look at the goddamn phone records where I called the mother and told her. She said the same to me. That's the reason why I panic and ran when I seen y'all because of the she told me. Do that make any sense? Huh? >> Hey, is it okay that I pull up and get? >> Absolutely. >> So why the I kid my own daughter. God damn take her food diapers just to Waffle House to buy her breakfast. I bring her breakfast every morning. >> I say cuz if y'all look in the car, we got we just bought her some Waffle House. It's It's still hot if you want to feed it to her. Okay. >> She got some It's some eggs, some bread, some sausage and stuff. It's in the front seat. >> We'll work on all that here soon. >> What's the baby's name? >> Toton. Okay, I got >> Hey, mama. >> Kidnapping my own daughter. Really? Huh? Something. Like I said, like I said, man, I can't keep talking to you like that. You are under arrest. >> You mean you can talk to me, bro? Goddamn, man. I'm talking to you. Like, come on, bro. What you want me to do? >> You're in custody until I miranda. Until I Miranda you, I can't talk to you. >> Yeah. What did they lock up to? >> I don't know where the other person is. >> The other female that was in the car with me and my daughter. My daughter was in the car seat in the back. I panic because I knew that this was trying to set me up when I made the phone call and she told me to meet her on Bachelor Street and she said, "I kidnapped my daughter." I knew she was trying to set me up then. >> You You were asleep. That's your story. >> Yes, I was asleep. >> There's a camera. I haven't watched it yet, but like there's a camera in the neighborhood that cuz he like parked away from the scene. Why didn't he just pull up to the house? Why did he do like a ninja? >> I don't know. >> But you didn't know he was going to go in there couple days. >> I didn't know he was going to go in there and take the baby. I didn't even know anything until I woke up and she was in the car. >> And when y'all went to Waffle House, did he ever tell you why he took her or make any statements? >> No. Like I said, I'm used to her him getting her. He gets her all the time. I got pictures of my mom. >> You get her phone number and stuff. We're going to let you I mean, we have no reason at this time to I mean, he's the one that took her is from what everything is showing. So, >> did he call you or I mean, did did he use your phone? >> Yeah, he used my phone to call her. >> The second call. Yeah, that's a >> I was say I can show you where >> we know cuz he called her from his phone at first and then >> and then he called her from >> We're going to let you listen. >> You go for now. Um >> I'll get your stuff back to you in a second. All right. Hang on. >> All right. Well, the car is going to be told. >> Yeah. >> All right. All of >> There you go. >> All of your possessions are in there as well as your phone. Okay. >> Ultimately, officers determined that the woman was not responsible. Still, the father's actions required further review, especially considering his unstable living situation and previous legal matters. While difficult circumstances may invite understanding, they cannot replace respect for legal boundaries. >> The dad doesn't have rights to the baby and he just came and snatched it from the babysitter and took off. >> It's his girlfriend. She was with him, but you can't really >> That's tough. Ray in the car. OH MY GOD. Oh [ __ ] Hey man, watch the doing it. QUIT TYPING ON THAT GODDAMN COMPUTER, MAN. DRIVE THE GODDAMN CAR. QUIT TYPING, MAN. YOU'RE IN DANGER of my mother life, man. Oh, >> you got any local address? You stay at it normally or no? Home was bouncing couch to couch. Okay. Where's he living at? Don't know. >> Stay in the car. >> Okay. In the car. >> What about I get some stuff out the car? >> No. Can't go back in the vehicle. >> Can't go back in the vehicle. >> No, it changes at this point. Who's the mother? >> I'm the mother. >> I guess that's his new girlfriend or whatever. >> Know this girl over here? Do you know her? >> I've seen pictures of her. >> So, >> she's actually a Does he have Does he doesn't normally take the baby, right? >> No. >> But even if he does, he didn't have permission today. >> No. And he don't normally he >> No, he's been >> No, that's fine. We're just >> I'm the land owner of that property and I done borrowed him 3 days ago from the property. >> She's a >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Let's not start a scene. in the car. >> Man, when you talk to the babysitter, he's the only one that came in the house, right? >> Right. >> Okay. >> She didn't do nothing wrong. >> Well, that's what we're what we're getting. But she was in the car with him. But yeah, he took off. >> She knew what was going on. >> Well, she knew, but we'll look more into that. But, you know, >> she did this to me. >> I did. I got it from her or you can get it. I don't care. >> Roll this mother. Roll it. Come on. Let roll it. Let roll it. Roll it. Roll this. Roll it. Time out. She was just in the car. I think it'd be hard to prove part of the crime. They can always take that later, but he's the one that went in and got the baby. He's the one that fled from us. Did you get your stuff back? >> Yeah, I got the little >> So, everybody says he came in and took the baby. You said you were asleep. A detective at some point may want to talk to you. You gave that officer your phone number, right? >> Okay. So, >> um and we got all her infos. >> We got her info. We got her phone number. We'll follow up with it. I've interviewed her >> with the crash report and all that. We got >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, they got her information. >> Talk to you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Cuz you were technically in the crash. So they'll they'll get you. >> You black boy who want to be a white man. You never be accepted in that crew. You're kn your colors always showing. What is wrong with you? Who is mother trying to be a color boy? I ain't looking for [ __ ] >> I know you upset dude. I ain't looking man cuz you did some bull. My wife called me to pick her up and my daughter and she kept calling kidnapp you bro. You going to have your day in court and if she going in court man I go to goddamn jail. Every year I leave this mother every time I leave her I go to goddamn jail. This pull some [ __ ] >> I know you upset man. I can try to talk this [ __ ] You won't even goddamn talk to me. Act like I ain't nobody mother. I told you >> no >> cannot talk about your cage >> wrong with you man. >> No man you ain't man get me take me inside man we ain't got a damn thing to talk about. >> Okay >> straight up mother y'all weak. >> Yeah I I know that's right. >> I had my seat. >> You did for real. >> And they still couldn't do >> you work out? >> No. >> All righty. Come on. >> Work out naturally like this. >> You naturally I wish I was man. I eat two pieces. I get fat. >> Good. My wife socks for real though. Yeah, me too. Wild Halloween shops. >> You lucky I had I ran out of gas, but if I ran out of gas, I swear to God, the SRTA going to open up on here. >> Whose car is this? >> Is it his? >> Damn, I didn't know they hit that hard. >> Well, it's not it got hit that hard, but they've got those bumpers on the front. >> And so that that's what happened. The father was charged with kidnapping, fleeing, or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, burglary, obstruction of law enforcement, and driving with a suspended license. In your view, what outcome would be appropriate in a situation like this? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below. What do you think just for a moment really means in Florida? That phrase can carry serious legal weight. >> But he's the one that noticed that there was uh they were stuffed in the back of the the trunk. On September 14th, 2025, police responded to a Walmart parking lot in Florida after reports that two children had been left unattended inside a vehicle for approximately 37 to 40 minutes. At the scene, officers gathered witness accounts as every detail was directly connected to the children's well-being. What's wrong? >> What's up, brother? said they uh they told So the car was off they managed to get the key from inside the baby. >> Is the car on or off? >> The car's off. >> There's another little girl. She's 70 years old. She was I don't know. >> Another person me. I'm her friend. She in the store. I went this way. >> She took the little girl so we can try to find out who the mama was. The little girl. She can watch them in there. >> Okay. But where's the sevenyear-old daughter? Some lady took her in the store. >> She took >> and with the keys. >> The lady took in the store because we was trying to figure out who the parent was. So because she looked the oldest out of them, they was already over here. >> Them two plus the seven-year-old were in the car. >> I pulled Yeah, cuz they was already over here on some I guess con. And they couldn't open the door and the car was off. So when I came I the trunk. They was on top. This one was on top of that one. But I took them out and stuff with a sevenyear-old. The seven-year-old was watching them. >> You're the friend or the grandmother? >> I'm the friend. Yeah. >> I walked out the door and I was car >> and the car was off. >> Back door, mommy. This where your kids is at. I flipped. I'm just saying it was locked. I took the back car seat from off top and I just pulled the seat back. It was in the trunk. >> Who's that? Is that the owner of the vehicle? >> The mother got up on that one and I pushed that right there. What do you think? >> The mother and a friend arrived later, explaining that the children had been left alone only briefly. A belief that shows how easily small assumptions can form. >> Are you the owner of this vehicle? >> My friend was bringing the groceries. >> How long were you did you leave these? >> Okay. Because we have people that are coming to the car. They're saying that this car was off with no AC with two babies in the car and then you're separated. 54 10. >> I don't know why she got out the car. I was watching him. When he >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Who are you? >> I'm a friend of hers. When he first started calling 911, he saw me standing out there in the car. I just went to go use the bathroom. >> So, you were here at the car? >> Yes. I guess cuz I wasn't right there. He feel like they by their stuff. So, I told y to watch them while I go get them off. It's just a bunch of don't make no sense. They just do too much right here. >> So, were you the one that was watching the kids? >> Yes. >> While she went inside? >> Yes. I got the kids and everything. He said, "Oh, no. by stuff. I didn't think you took the car. >> You mind me asking why did you take the sevenyear-old inside and she was right here watching them? I asked her to watch them for me while I go get her what he just did. I was watching them. I told her to watch them for me while I go get her cuz I'm like he's doing too much. She making a big scene for no reason. There's nothing wrong. >> You were watching him too. Was the car on or off? >> The car was off. I had the key. >> Yeah, they making a big scene. He kept calling pennies out of the tag and everything like I'm so upset with him. How long were you guys gone for the car? >> We was not gone. I was here. She ran inside to get some shoes and get some clothes. This don't make no sense. This just don't make no damn sense. And I'm telling him I'm here right here on the phone with 911. Then he took pictures of the test. Oh, my girlfriend together in this car. >> Yes. >> Okay. And you were just outside of the car. >> However, this explanation was quickly questioned as witness observations did not align with that account. >> And are you with them or are you just for helping out? >> I was helping out. I walked over here, but I seen them over here. They know. >> Question. You mind stepping over here real quick so I can ask you a quick question? >> When you when you came over, >> who was watching the video? >> Nobody. She that lady lying. She don't even know them people. >> She She doesn't know who they are. >> So she was never girls to go in the store cuz what happened was when I came out of Walmart, I seen them already up there talking. I seen them kept saying a great car. Now mind you, I'm at my car. I'm parked over there. So you know, I ain't being funny. I'm like, damn. I seen the Spanish people over there and I hear them saying kids in a gray car. So you know, I ain't going to care. I turned around like what the [ __ ] they pointing at. They keep saying kids in the car by >> I never saw her like around the area outside. >> Them people that Spanish them people say them kids them kids when I pulled them out the back. Them kids are cold and sweat bro. They diapers is so they smell like and she went to take her to go find the mama. So she as Yeah. She asked me to wash them while I go. She go find the mama and I just gave him the water. So >> did she leave them in the car until you watch them or are you the one that took them out and put them in the shopping cart? >> No, I took I put them in the shopping cart. I just took them out the car. >> Okay. You're the one that took my >> Yeah. Okay. >> talking and I told her I was going to leave. She said, "No, don't leave cuz they really going to think they by theirel." Then that's when I said, "Well, just watch before I go meet the mama." >> Yeah, I got you. All right. Just stand by for a second. All right. >> Security footage from the store indicated the children had been alone longer than initially stated, underscoring the importance of clarity and honesty during official reviews. >> Did you two come here together? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you left them in the car by themselves? No. So why did she rip out the babies out of the car seat? What >> did you go inside? >> She only ripped out the second door. >> The door was So what happened was I seen >> she's the one that took the >> I open when I open I'm going just show you what it looked like when I open this was like this. The secret was up like this. >> I seen one baby which was him >> first. I pulled him out and then that's when I realized there was another baby in. >> So but you seen them in the car by themselves. >> Yeah, they was. And then then she I got her out and when when I pulled her out, that's when I seen that one. And I >> That must have been when she came to get me to get my car. >> No. So they wasn't in the car alone, >> but they were alone for long enough for multiple people to call. >> So when she got her that lady, we was like, "Let's just go try to find the mom cuz they was already on the phone with police." >> So with all this being said, you left your kids alone. >> You leave them alone. I went in the store to give her the car. I went in there to give her my bank card. No, no, but you have to understand, you left them alone long enough for multiple people to call for their wellbeing. It is what it is, right? Lesson learned. We're not going to do that again because if she would have put the car in drive or put the car in reverse, that's a rem that's a freaking removal, right? Zus will be called. You cannot do that. I'm sorry. It is what it is. I understand you're trying to do whatever it is that you got to do, but mom to mom, it's 90° outside. You left him in the car long enough. Multiple people call 911. It cannot happen. Not only that, you left them in there long enough that someone was able enough to remove them from the car, have fire rescue come, then have the police come. That's too long. Do you understand where I'm coming from? Okay, it's South Florida. People kidnap kids all the time. And that's an easy lick. >> So, before we go, I need to make sure those car seats are installed correctly. >> How old are the little ones? >> Two. Got the car on. >> Grandma, that ain't going to work. >> They got to still get it strapped up cuz she got to take her. >> Whose phone is this? >> How old is this one? >> She's two. >> The little one. I'm going to tell you this right now. These aren't the correct car seats >> for them. In this situation, bystanders spoke up out of concern for the children, reminding us that care and responsibility can sometimes come from unexpected places. >> We Walmart has video cameras. The kids can buy themselves for 37 minutes across. 37 minutes. I don't know if you let time escape you, whatever. But at the end of the day, they left 37 minutes unatt. >> That's what it was though, because we got it on camera. We have you walking in. We have both you guys walking in and then you walking out with the car and then the lady in the purple dress coming to get you. It's between 37 and 40 minutes. Okay. My sergeant is on his way out here. I think he's going to come out here to talk to you and figure out what to do from here. But mom, you can't do that. Does your AC work? Okay. >> I just got >> just the back. >> All right. Well, you guys just got to wait. >> Okay. >> So, tell me what happened today. >> We were walking. I I usually never park here. I usually park there. So, we happened to come to Walmart. We started walking. As we got to the door, before the door, her son is the one that noticed that there was a sound coming like a knock a knock on the back of the trunk. Did you see them? >> I saw the car seat. >> He saw the car seats, but he said, "I think there's somebody in there." So, you noticed the sound in the back of the trunk? >> Yeah. As we started walking down there, then he said, "Let's go take a look." I thought about it. I said, "That's not that couldn't be true." But I went and took a look. Anyways, we had nothing to do. So, when we look, I don't see nobody there. But he's the one that noticed that there was uh they were stuffed in the back of the the trunk. And I said, "Oh my god, there are people back there. There's kids." >> How do you know that there was kids in the trunk? >> Because we were looking inside the the car. >> Looking inside the car, correct? And you saw what? A hand, a foot. I seen I seen foot and I seen diapers and stuff a little bit like that moving. >> So you seen a foot sticking out? >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> All right. So hold on. >> That's when I called quickly. The car was off. There was no AC blowing in there and we even looked in a car. The car car was completely off. >> As the situation became clearer, the mother was held legally accountable. While the children were arranged to stay with relatives or receive temporary support from child welfare services. >> Who do you live with? >> I have my own place. You don't live with anybody? No. >> Do you have any family member in the area? >> Why am I going to go to jail? >> To be honest, yes. >> Why? What did I do wrong? >> Okay. So, I'm going to explain this to you. I have two witnesses. We're just going to I'm going to explain to you. Have I have two witnesses? Mom to mom cuz I have a 5-year-old. I have two witnesses that call 911. Your kids were found in the trunk of a car. Oh, yes. >> They play in the trunk of the car. They wasn't found in no trunk of the car. >> No, no, no. That's how they got noticed cuz they heard a >> Yeah, cuz they be playing in the trunk. You can ask my daughter. >> No, no, no. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care about that. >> You can ask my daughter. They always be playing in the trunk. They always >> 90° weather. >> The car was on. >> No, it wasn't. >> I swear to you, you can ask my child. She can tell you the car was on. Okay, but you can ask my daughter. The car was on. >> She's seven. I'm talking to >> It doesn't matter what you ask to them. They're going to ask my daughter questions and she's going to tell them. And we're they're also going to talk to two grown adults. Not a seven. >> But y'all not taking my my story either. Y'all just >> Yeah, but not for long. >> For 37 minutes. >> I saw you on camera. Go inside that store and you were gone for 37 minutes. >> So I'm trying to help you out. >> No, because I told her >> you don't have any family members. >> I told her that I was not going to go in the store, but because I had need to grab a few extra things, I still didn't even go in my first mom. I've never been to go to jail. >> We know. We know. >> But you need to call a family member to go with them. >> Do you understand? >> I cannot afford to go to jail. >> Okay, look. It's either It's either you can find a family member. >> I mean, I'm not going to have much of a choice, but can I please speak to the sergeant, please? I have rights if I just speak to the sergeant, please. >> Yeah. >> She wants to talk to a sergeant. You either tell us somebody right now who can come and pick up your kids, somebody that is reliable, somebody that doesn't have a huge criminal history, somebody that is willing and able to take care of your kids. Either they go with somebody that you know that they're in good hands or they're going to the state. It is a better option if you have somebody come and pick them up. Cuz if they go to the state, it is not a good look with Cus. >> No, it's not. But I just don't understand why y'all can't just send me home. CPI is going to come to my house regardless. I'm going to take a chance. You're 100% right. There's they're still coming. Action needs to be taken right now. So, it's either you tell it. It's either you again. It's two options. You either tell us somebody right now that can pick them up or they're going to the >> phone. Have a char. You don't have a charger in your car. >> My car charger. >> What phone do you have? >> iPhone. >> I have a charger, too. Let me throw it on there real quick. >> Yeah. Go around the back. >> Turn around. >> Please do not do this. >> Turn around. Can I please talk to him, please? Excuse me, sir. >> Twist your arm. >> I want you to call family. I don't >> Bro, that's nasty. >> My kids, bro. >> And I put you in handcuffs. Come on. You're not going to >> You'll be out in a few hours. >> Come on. I don't want you to get hurt. I keep going. Am I going to be able to call somebody for my kid? And you said you was going to charge my phone. >> Your phone is charging. I'll come to you. We'll get a phone number. Who are you going to call for your children? >> I got to call my phone. >> Cuz that's what I was trying to get you to do earlier, but you didn't want to. So, your phone's charging. >> The mother was charged with child. Under Florida law, she could face up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Children's safety must always come first, even in moments that feel brief. A small lapse in adult judgment can place a child in a risky way. A lesson that should never be overlooked. >> Because I'm not going to jail today for something I didn't do. >> If we don't have to take anybody to jail, that's the ultimate goal, right? >> Because I have a life and all I want is her out of it. >> She shared that she still had her whole life ahead of her and did not want to become entangled in legal matters, yet overlooked that her daughter also needs a stable and supportive environment to grow. On August 13th, 2024, officers received a call from a 16-year-old girl who said she no longer felt comfortable at home due to ongoing tension with her stepmother. The situation began when her phone was taken, and quickly escalated. Officers responded, separated those involved, and worked to calm the situation. >> Hi there. What's going on? >> Okay. >> What you doing with the baby? >> She's mentally ill and she's trying to keep real quick. What happened today? >> So, last night they got into a huge argument, I guess. >> Are these the ones with the baby? And >> are they the only two people in the residence right now other than the baby? >> Yes, sir. They got an argument and I guess she was started throwing all my stuff out. So, I was trying to get it and then I recorded what she was doing. So, then I dropped my phone on the ground and she tried to grab my phone and then I got it before her and then she started clawing at my face and she jumped. >> Any marks or anything like that or No, >> I stood in between them as best I could. >> Did the open hand strike her at all or anything? Yeah, she did like that >> as you dropped the phone as you're trying to get it. Is she trying to grab the phone? >> She's trying to get her phone cuz she didn't want to record it. This is the first time this has happened like this. There's some chemical imbalance or something. >> What's her name? >> Megan. But right now, she's definitely agitated. And I'm I'm just trying to get her out of >> You don't know that. She also would have never heard me, but she just said, >> "Yeah, we'll we'll address it and stuff." She's the only ones in the house. >> Yes, I was trying to just separate that situation. >> Um, we'll definitely work on that. She has no access to weapons or anything. No firearms in the house. Nothing. We don't um is this your guys's all like primary address or >> Okay, big issue is she has had enough of getting all that and stuff. We were moving her out this morning. She got up this morning and just was like my house, you know, and I understand the problem between the two of them and I was trying to accommodate but it got so I loaded her in my car and I'm planning to take her to her mom's house. >> I had already had a plan to leave this morning and then she came knocking on my door telling me get the f out and so I was asleep and so then I got up and I was trying to leave and then she just started like cursing me out. That's when I filmed her. >> It'll be fine. At least you weren't the one who got attacked. At least you weren't the one who got like pounded. I didn't even do anything. >> We'll take care of everything. Okay. Explain the physical part of it. >> She palmed me in the face >> during what were you guys trying to do? >> I was backing up. Was it between us and she shoved her hand into her face? >> You were between trying to be I was trying to stop it. She was pushing. >> I kept telling her just go outside. Just go outside. Well, I but I was still trying to get all my things from inside, which I still hadn't finished doing. After I had recorded her, my phone had dropped on the ground. So then I like ran to go grab my phone off the ground. She came from me from the back and started like using her nails to like rip my face and rip my hands off of the phone from behind me. >> As you were trying to pick up your phone, >> what were you trying to do with the phone? >> I think she wanted to record what was going on. >> No, I wasn't trying to record going on, but she was trying to get rid of what I >> You weren't trying to call 911, were you? >> I called 911 as soon as I ran out the door with my phone. >> We're going to go try to make contact with her separately. Do what we need to do. I'm afraid the sight of any of you would amp her back up. So, >> officers spoke with the stepmother to confirm details. She denied the claims and provided video footage. In the recording, both sides appeared emotionally heightened, requiring careful review with the child's well-being as the priority. >> Hi, Megan. Can you come talk to us over here? >> Yes, officer. >> Can you please come here and talk to me real quick? >> I'm grabbing my phone where there's video proof that I did not. >> Yeah, because I'm not going to be personally attacked by two against one. I have video proof that I didn't do that they're saying I did. >> So, what's going on today? >> I did not do anything that they said I did. And I have video proof that I didn't do that. >> Tell us what happened. Start from the beginning. >> It's so stupid. It literally started because I asked my nanny yesterday's friend at the same time driving her car. I said, "Does your policy cover driving your car?" Because where I come from in the state of Ohio, the policy follows the owner. I don't know what the laws are here in Florida. Is she able to drive your car? Are you liable or am I liable? Because she's under my insurance. >> Something happens obvious. Yeah, >> it's a simple question. For whatever reason, decided that I was upset about asking that question, which I was never upset. I was just making sure I'm not legally liable for her driving someone else's vehicle. It's completely logical. I see you guys looking at me up and down like >> we're just trying to figure out what's going on. That's all. >> Cuz it's two against one. But I have video proof of what everything happened. I can show you everything that transpired. >> So you guys were in an argument yesterday and it kind of transpired. >> I was in an argument. Okay. So, I excuse me. So, I I simply said, "Is she able to drive your car?" That was it. I left. I did both of my jobs yesterday, came home to cook dinner. He goes, "I'm really upset with you because you made a huge deal about driving Aby's car." And I was like, "No, I did it. I didn't make a big deal. I asked a logical question and they turned it into a huge thing." And they was like, "Well, I'm moving out. Her has been packed for months. She's almost 18. She's been wanting to get out for a long time, but she wanted to use me as a wedge to do so." And I'm like, "Okay, you've been trying to move forever. Is your body camera rolling?" >> Yeah. Ever since we got here, >> I said, "You've been attempting to move out for months. Why are you using me as a wedge? Just be honest and say you want to move out. No one willing judge you." It turned into a huge argument between me and is basically over because of everything that have directly tried to ruin. This was a perfect example of that. So, I said, "Okay, it's time to get up." Next day, me a huge argument had decided that we're obviously not okay together. >> Next day, today, this >> So, we wake up and I said, "It's time to go. I have to work at 9:00. I'm not going to have people running in and out of my house all day. It's time to wake up. And if she's moving out, it's time to go." I get up and she gets up and she comes downstairs again. Everything is on video. She comes downstairs and she starts talking to me and I'm just like, "You're joking, right? Like, just get your and go. Okay, you want to act like an adult? I'm going to treat you like an adult. [ __ ] you." And then she goes as she's recording it straight to my as if she's going to literally send a video of me saying you I'm done with your she's like being so animated and like run and there's nothing going on to insinuate that. So she's like I need to get my phone. First thing in my mind is her phone's in my house. I'm going to grab it and get it out of my house. She starts rolling around on the ground which you can see in the video. She starts rolling around on the ground is pushing against me. So I push off of me. They fall into the couch and said that I attacked them because they want me to direct. >> Is that is that put on video? >> All of it is on video. >> Can we watch it? >> You can see me shoving off of me and see them trying to say that I them which I didn't. But I'm not going to let some ungrateful continue to stay in my house. I will gladly show you because I'm not going to jail today for something I didn't do. >> If we don't have to take anybody to jail, that's the ultimate goal, right? >> Yes. Because I have a life and all I want is her out of it. I will gladly show you. I never once put my hands on her. I was pushed off of me cuz she's like rolling around on top of me screaming run like a psycho. >> It was more or less you just being like a defensive like hey get off. >> All I wanted to do was get the phone to delete the video of me saying you would do the same and she charges me first. Just so you know. >> Does it have sound? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Hard screaming and yelling at me. Gladly take my phone please. Cuz I'm not going to jail today. I didn't put my hands on you. I'm literally defending myself and pushing him off. >> Like what is actually happening right now? >> Real quick, Megan. Obviously, since we're here, we got to do a report out of what? M E G H A N >> M G an A. I can go get my ID if you need. >> Okay, you go. >> As you can see, I did not >> Where was he at during the uh >> upstairs? >> Cuz I can hear him crying. We just didn't know. >> I put him upstairs cuz he doesn't need to see all that psycho. >> Okay. >> How does it go back? Can I just like that to go back to the beginning? >> 8:41. So, you can pan over here and you can see her antagonizing me, screaming and yelling at me, acting like a adult. You want to charge at me like an adult? I'm going to talk to you like an adult. >> So, who started the altercation at first this morning? Was she talking crap or >> She did. She started it and it's always she's always going to go. No, she makes conscious adult decisions. I'm sick and tired of her generation crying wolf and then not taking any accountability for the action. I'm still a millennial. I'll show up and tell you what good. I might not have class doing it, but I'm not going to let you run game on me, calling cops, and try to put me in jail. I didn't do to you. And it's on video. I did not touch you cuz I'm not going to jail today. >> She comes upstairs, you come down, he goes upstairs yelling and screaming at you, >> screaming at me, calling me that and the third. You want to act like an adult? >> At what point does the phone go on the ground? Is that >> I think it Yeah, I think it >> What the hell is all around like a psychop on me for a domestic dispute that I didn't do? I'm embarrassed because this is my house. >> Well, that's why I chose to take you back out here so we're not in front of your neighbors and stuff, right? >> The cops cars are outside my house. So, >> lay down the street, but I'll take you through. Was that a shoe or something? I couldn't tell. >> Probably a bag or something. I was like a clutch person. I was just like the best thing ever. >> She goes outside and that's when she starts >> she said my phone my phone and I'm thinking I'm going to literally destroy you. >> She comes running. >> So she comes back in and then purposefully puts her body on mine and makes it look like I her spinning around. Like why are you spinning around? You're literally just amplifying a situation that didn't need to be amplified. All I asked you to do was get the out of my house since she wants to move out so bad. Then let's get it going. If you want to move out so bad then go. Stop accusing me of batter and now you're going to look dumb as >> you want me to go back out then real quick and kind of show you >> and she's not welcomed in my house. She is a direct threat. Therefore, I don't want her in my house. My name is on this lease. I want her gone. >> I don't have to have her in the house. >> Make sure you tell her that now she's not welcome or like legally obligated in my house. >> We'll take care of that. >> Please and thank you. The gas lighter and I wanted it. >> I understand. >> After further discussion, officers stated there was enough preliminary basis to treat the situation as a serious family dispute. The stepmother was informed she would be placed under temporary supervision while next steps were determined. >> What happened in the stairwell before the camera angle shows the altercation. >> I don't remember where he in it. >> All three of you were out of the frame in the stairwell. >> She was probably like this bad shoulder coming at my face. I was just like, where's my phone? Where's my phone? >> I will say this. Whatever she's telling you is a lie. >> Well, it's all recorded on the nest. I mean, it doesn't matter what anybody's telling us, but we have video of it. And nest recorded. The only that's why I'm only asking about that part because that's the only part that we can't necessarily say definitively what happened on the next. You should see her. They already have established all that. So >> I just think that when we were on the stairwell I mean can you hear the audio? >> Yeah. Yeah we can hear. We just it's just a loud verbal argument. I'm just seeing if there's any being alleged any crime that occurred on that stairwell that we can't see. >> I don't think she hit me anytime. >> I was more in between them. >> She because there was less room for her to escape on the stairwell. She wasn't. I mean, she was coming at me with her face, but I don't think she hit me any more times when we were on the stairwell. >> When you guys go to the ground or you're trying to get your phone off the ground can see it and she's behind you kind of. Do you think she's intentionally trying to hurt you or you think she's trying to grab? >> She grabbed my face. She licked my lip. She was trying to get me off of the phone. >> Yeah, because you were going to send a video to >> Yeah. Someone to advocate for myself. >> She had no She didn't >> I mean, isn't that my right? Don't I have a right to do that? She has no reason. >> One way or the other. I'm not saying you don't have a right to do it. I'm just saying that you have the right to throw in the speech. You can tell whoever you want about whatever you have. >> But she was upset about that. So, she was trying to do anything in her power to get the phone, I guess. >> Do you want to pursue charges for her battery? >> I don't know. >> I don't know what that means. >> Does it mean she goes to jail? To be honest with you, either way, she's going to jail because it's domestic. We don't have a choice. >> I understand. >> Would charges me pressing charges on her require to go to court? >> I think you just need to sit. That's what I would take her to your mom. >> Unfortunately, I mean, it's on video and everything like that. like me and me and the other investigating officer will talk about it, but there's being alleged that there's a crime that was committed. So, we have to >> I understand. So, so just hang out here with these officers real quick and you have the right to have your information redacted on a police report. So, all you're going to do, put your name in here, state whether or not you want to make your info public cuz everything we do is public record sign and date right here is the 13th and then we'll do all the rest. Okay. >> Do you guys have know how the do not contact thing works >> as far as what >> after this situation? >> She's going with us today. So they'll put a temporary placement order on her where chances are the only time she's able to have well it's either a no contact or a no contact in general. It all depends on what her release is. >> Well, it's a no bond charge cuz it's domestic. So she has to go to first appearance. >> So it'll probably be what? >> This afternoon and that's the first time. >> Well, yeah. So it might be >> she probably won't see the judge until tomorrow. Tomorrow morning I'm taking her to her mom. She's going to be at her mom's. I think I just need to get out. I'll figure out >> who who's is it the res she does. Okay. I was wondering trying to like make her get kicked out of her house or lose her job or any of that kind of I'm not trying to do any of that. What I will need to do is protect these children. >> Unfortunately, we're going to take it today. >> Why? >> Because after reviewing the video, after what we've all seen and talked about, we find there's sufficient probable cause. Take it to go after domestic violence. >> But they threw themselves into me. I did not put my hands on them. >> This is not a debate. We've already discussed all this. What we can do if you're being compliant with this or anything like that, we can make it more comfortable. We don't have to put the cuffs behind your back unless officer Mias wants to. But but we can make it comfortable. As long as you're cool with us, we'll obviously be cool with you. >> I don't understand why I'm being taken to jail because I did not put my hands on them. Saw in the video that they were throwing themselves into me. >> I hope you're happy. You stupid [ __ ] I hope you're happy. >> Come on. Hop in the car, please. >> Laughing, you stupid. Okay, but my parents need to know that I'm going to jail. Okay, >> we can take that out of my house. She's not going to be here when I get back. You watch your head. The stepmother was charged with battery and child abuse. Under Florida law, she could face up to 6 years in prison and fines of up to $6,000. As this story comes to a close, what remains is concern about the unseen impact children may experience amid adult conflict. Every family faces challenges at times, but how adults respond shapes the environment in which a child grows. In New Mexico, what seemed like a small act, leaving the car for a few minutes to buy chips, quickly turned into a serious legal matter. The mom's in the store. I think he has a car by himself. It's 100° out here. >> On June 17th, 2025 in Albuquerque, a child was reported inside a vehicle on a very hot day with the car not running. While the mother went into a store, someone noticed the danger and called the police. Minutes later, officers arrived and took a statement from the witness. >> No, you were calling Southwest. >> Did you call us, man? >> I did. So, I walked out of the So, I walked out of the store and I heard the little boy screaming, screaming, crying. >> Which horse is he at? >> He's in the black line. He's just sweating like the mom's in the store leaving him in the car by himself. It's 100° out here. right now. >> I'm out with the 10:30. Copy plate and start me 43 to check in. >> Starting 435 right now. I have a plate 050 Tom. >> Yes, ma'am. Start 43 to check him out, please. >> How long would you say he was in there, ma'am? >> Um, I had just walked out probably about 4 minutes. I don't know from what I saw about 4 minutes. I don't know how long she had seen him for in there. >> I was right before you, like maybe a minute before her delivery. >> So, probably about four or five minutes. >> What's your name, please? >> What's a good phone number for you? >> Um, I just have a new number. I'm so sorry. Let me see. Um, let me see if I have it. >> I don't even sweating a lot. So, I'm going to have 43 chicken. >> Sorry. See if I can find my number. It should be in here somewhere. >> Okay. >> The mother soon appeared claiming she had only been gone briefly and initially seemed fully cooperative with the police. >> Hey, ma'am. Sergeant with Gabriella. >> Hey, how are you? >> Oh, you want to go to the bathroom? Did you go yet? >> No, I haven't. >> Um, how old is he? >> He's three. >> Shouldn't be in Carl. >> I know, but I was just ready for chips and walking right back out. I didn't realize there was a line. Then I was coming right back out and that's when the cash register said and I came out. It's illegal and possibly get yourself in a situ a criminal situation with it. Okay. Do you have an ID on you, please? >> No, I don't. I I live right here. I can give you my name, give birth, everything. >> I'm going to have Russie come and check him out cuz he was sweating. It won't cost you anything, but they're going to check him out. >> Just because they saw this and marker, so she's like, "He's red." Like, "Okay." Well, I just I literally checked the camera. As I walk just in there, I can say she's red. She has glass. >> No. What's your name, please? And what's your birthday? >> 590. >> What's a good phone number for you? >> Hi. >> I have you. It's okay. >> Just have some at home cuz we live right across the street. >> Right over here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's real, buddy. Oh, you got >> There you go. There you go. >> What's his name? >> He speaks mostly Spanish. Spanish. >> Okay. So, I'm lost. Please. The reason why I'm here is cuz someone importantly was in the car by then. >> Yeah. I ran for chips and I was coming right back. >> Try to avoid that. Trying to go in and out, but in the summer time it's 97°. >> Yeah, I know. >> And the car is going to be a lot warmer than 97. >> That what if somebody tried to steal your car and took him with >> That happens in this area all the time. Remember him in the car? or you probably think so. >> Yeah, >> not scoping, but just think of this as like a it could have been a lot worse. >> Yeah. >> So, uh probably best just next time take it with you even if you're in there for 30 seconds. >> But just avoid all this. >> We'll check with them and then we'll be okay. >> Statements from store employees did not fully match the mother's version. >> Oh, she's out there, right? >> Okay. >> Yeah, cuz I doubt it was 3 or 4 minutes. >> Hey, ma'am. >> Just sorry to bother you. The female with the child left the car. >> Yes. Yes. Do we know how long she was in here for? >> I couldn't say exactly cuz I didn't see when she came in. I know when I stepped out, she wasn't out there. Probably maybe 5 minutes. Maybe not even. Yeah, >> she was waiting in. >> So about 10 minutes >> maybe. Yeah, cuz by the time she came in and got what she wanted, you know, and then came back out. >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, sure. Yeah. >> Come on. Sorry, guys. >> Excuse me. >> Don't hit me now. >> Are you the one that found the child? >> Yes. I walked out and we could hear him crying and screaming in the car. >> He was crying screaming. >> Yeah. And I was trying to look through the car cuz it's dark so it was hard to see. He was sitting back in like a little buster seat. Okay. >> And then that's when the customer walked out. She had the phone. She called away. When I was out there by the time you guys came almost 5 minutes maybe, maybe not quite. And then um cuz I told them, "Hey, there's somebody out here." And they found her inside and told her you should go outside and she didn't. >> At the same time, the child's well-being appeared to need more attention than initially reported. Oh, so she didn't go outside either. >> Not right away. >> Hi, how you doing, man? >> We're hanging in there. How are you? >> Hanging in there. >> I didn't really get to see the baby. Um, I went outside. She was out there. She told me it was red and screaming and crying. And so we came in. As I walked back through the doors, Rodney who's in liquor kind of made an announcement. The mother was in line in liquor. And she goes, "That's my kid. He's fine." And remained in line. So that's when I went back out and checked again. And I came back in. I said, "Ma'am," I said, "There's a customer calling 911." I said, "You need to get outside with your kid." She goes, "Why? He's fine. and that's marker on his face. He's not red. He's fine. And I said, "You need to get outside with your kid." Just And so she left and that's all I that's the only interaction I really had once we made the announcement that there was a kid outside in a car by himself. She was still No, not at first. She was going to stay in line. It wasn't until I came back and found her in line and went up to her personally and said, "Ma'am, they're calling 911 on your child right now. You need to go." >> The investigation progressed with the cooperation of store employees, including providing security camera footage. Do we know about how long she was in the store for? I kind of want to watch the camera. >> Um, I can check the camera. Yeah. >> Yeah. She's claiming two or three minutes. >> I only got a little bit of a look at her just because I was running with cash so I couldn't like really go outside. I >> And I don't need to identify you guys to walk. So, if either one of you got a scadattlele, that's okay. >> Oh, no. No. >> I mean, she saw she knows we work here. >> She was already timing me, you know. >> Yeah. I could tell something was going on. And so, I sent another employee out and said, "Can you check and make sure Jessica's okay?" because I can kind of hear her yelling at them, but I can't go because I'm at the register and have money in my pocket. So, and that's when she said the police are here. So, I was like, "Okay, as long as >> Did you say you're the one that saw him really sweaty?" >> He looked really red. And it's hard to tell cuz the car is so dark, but he looked red. You can kind of see him red, a little bit of sweaty on him. I mean, it's a hot day. You kind of sweat instantly. It's hot in here, you know. >> Was that vomit on his clothes, too, or >> I didn't see him when he got someone there on his clothes, but I couldn't know what it was. Didn't look like vomit. Looked like he was eating something. Once we were standing there, then he kind of calmed down, but he was screaming like frantic and then he was alone, you know, and it's hot and he doesn't know what's going on. So, >> I think what I might end up doing agree calling taking him away or not taking away, but calling just take him with family members. Put him with another family. I guess it's >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> I don't even know what it was. Probably about just maybe try 17. We're already at 6:30. >> I'll summon her for here for a minute. It's okay cuz she lives around the corner, but I'm not giving her in the car. So you can just >> we'll do it we'll do it all here. >> Yeah, we're going to be outside for for a few hours. >> It was probably before that camp cuz he was the one who went to photo that I was helping. So I came in right before that. So maybe 10 15 minutes but more. >> We'll see cuz if she's out in here longer than >> Is that her car right there? >> Yeah, that's her car. And that's they pulling up. So they had to be before that. >> So if she's in here longer than 3 or 4 minutes like she's claiming then I'll do chum damage. If she's in here 10 minutes >> well and I'll tell you she was willing to stay. She was back in the line. So that's I'm going to confront her too cuz first her side of the story is that she got notified when she while she was shopping and then came out. So she was only for two or three minutes. >> No, cuz she was still Rodney said something to me about when she said it over the earpiece. He said it out loud and the lady announced I'm the mother and then I went outside and checked came back in and she was still standing in line even after telling my employees she was the mother. I asked Rodney who said she was the mom because she's still in here and he said, "Yeah, that's her in the line." So, I walked around to the back of the line, scooted my way through and said, "Ma'am, they're going to call 911. They're outside right now notifying the police, and she's like, "Why?" >> Every small detail was recorded and analyzed. At this point, the actual time may have been longer than the mother's statement. >> Yeah, cuz I don't need that kid to get schooled when he gets home. >> That's what I worry about, too, cuz she was telling him something in Spanish, but it was quiet. >> And that's 8:17. There she comes. >> So, 8:17. We'll take >> She goes shopping. 18 to the other side. customer service needed in the battery department. >> You mentioned it was that way. >> That's when I went out. I was delivering that order. >> Going on 3 minutes. >> And then I thought that was her sign and she walked in. So I said, "Well, there be >> there's the customer." >> 3 minutes. >> There's Geraldine going out. There's me going out and talking to them. >> We're at 4 minutes >> coming back in 5. >> This is where we're already talking to, right? She's basically saying that she's coming up. >> She wasn't even outside yet. >> No, but she's still saying there about 1822 and >> yeah, >> about 5 minutes and 10 seconds till she was in the store. >> She didn't even pull him out when she first went outside. She >> just opened the door and left him in the car still even though he was upset >> and finally told him and she was telling him something, but I couldn't hear what. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz he So, but yeah, I had to come back in because when he said it, when Rodney said it to over the thing, I was like, "Okay." And I heard that, came outside, checked, came back in and said, "Who said that she was the parent?" And he's like, "That lady right there in line." So I had to come back around to the line and get her out of the line. She was still going to stay and finish her transaction even though she knew we were aware her child was alone. >> Yeah. >> He was asked to go outside. The child was screaming. She told me, >> "Okay." >> Yeah. She just told me, she said, "Why? There's nothing wrong." And I I finally said, "Ma'am, if you want to, I'll ring you up right now and you can go." And she's like, "No, I'll just go to a different store." And that's when she went outside and you >> So more so she stayed because you showed up then. >> Yeah. I think >> she wouldn't have stayed. She was going to go to another store. She was going to leave and go to another store >> cuz she thought I'm going to go across the street >> and we were like she was standing behind the car so she wouldn't leave. >> Yeah. Cuz she said to me as like I said if cuz I was trying to get her out of line cuz she kept standing there saying well why? He's fine. That's marker on his face. There's nothing wrong with him. And I finally I came around to the front and I said, "Do any of you mind if I pull her to the front and ring her up real quick and get her out to her child?" And that's when she said, "No, I'm just going to another store." Cuz I made an announcement to make sure that the customers kind of embarrassed her a little bit. >> All right. Well, thank you guys. >> She's bigger than you could strike her out. >> Don't worry. >> A discussion at the scene with the prosecutor determined that this act constituted child under the law. >> It's not all the scenes. So, she comes She parks at 8 or 67 >> or 517, sorry. 517, >> sorry, no 617. She parks at 6:17. She parks, enters the store like 6 something in 17 minutes. So, 6:17 she enters the store. She's shopping in there. They One of the employees comes out to hear the baby's crying. So she looks in, she goes, "Oh my god, there's a baby in there." He's like, "It's red." They make an announcement around like 6:19 or like 6:18. Sorry. Minute after the K, who's baby's in the car. They identify her like around 6:20. And then it's my kid. And then she goes, "Well, he's fine." We'll get you out of the car. He's fine. He's just crying. So she refused to leave the line. She didn't come out here till 6:22. So 5 minutes she was in there. So about 3 minutes she argued with staff. The only reason why she came out is because she was like, "Fine, I'm going to they embarrassed her. Does anyone care?" cuz she wanted to paper her stuff. Emic like does anyone care that the the manager was like, "Does anyone care if she skips the line so I can bring her up now so she can go check on her kid?" Like, "No, never mind. I'm just going to go out there now." And the only reason why she stayed is cuz she opened the door. So when she opened the door, she didn't get him out of the car, right? She just opened the door, started scolding. So I think I have enough for childish possibly just cuz there was no you didn't show any eency to get your kid out of line by witnesses. I'm probably going to just I'm going to call and get him out here. See if the kiddo can go with a family member. But I'm on the board line if I want to 16 right now. had. >> I I can get summits though at the same time. >> You're going with the city one >> cuz I think did you go to the state? It has to be a felony. >> Oh yeah. >> So I mean do you think it's felony or do you think it's >> Call the D and ask? >> Yeah, I'll call you. >> I'll get to call the >> Yeah, if I can. >> Okay. >> The child's health check results were also reported. >> So as far as did she have anything going on or any charges or anything with the kid or any like stuff? >> Possibly. Yeah. She left in my car for 5 minutes. She refused to come out. I think the car. >> Okay. How would you were you guys over here for this or did you separate separate incident? Totally separate. >> So who called for that? >> So they one of the employees came out and they said they heard a baby crying. They look in the car. They're like, "Oh, there's a little kid in there." So they go inside, they pa like who you know who drives a black Volkswagen with little kid in it. She's like, "That's mine." And she argued with him inside for a few minutes like I just want to pay for my stuff. She was like refusing to. >> Okay. and her stuff she's going to buy to come out and get her kids. >> And then she came out when you guys came here or were you do like when did the kid actually around 6:23 is when they came out? She was I guess 6:17 he was in the car at 6:23 they came out and opened the door for >> So when you guys got here he was already out of the car then. >> Yeah. When we got here around that time he was already and then I had given him some water as soon as I got here. Some cold water. He didn't chug it down like crazy. Jake gave me a few sips of it. >> Okay. What was his temp? >> My name. >> My name is Yeah. So his vitals like are okay. Mom doesn't want him to go to the hospital as I was asking you guys cuz she's obviously caregiver. So she still has the ability to make that choice whether or not he wants to. But he doesn't have a temp and his vitals are okay. He doesn't like swimming. He doesn't >> he's cool. >> Okay. >> Cuz like I said rolled up, drank some water, but he didn't slam it down either. So >> Okay. >> So obviously >> after review and discussion, police returned to inform the mother about the possible handling of the case and the next steps. >> What we're going to what I'm going to ultimately do is I'm going to give you a case number uh for the police board cuz we got to document it. It's a revol kiddo. Okay. So, if he does get notified about the incident cuz they're involving a child. >> Yeah. >> The problem we're having is this, cuz we looked at cameras, okay? And I talked to witnesses. The problem is when they were telling you that the kiddo was in the car, you stayed in line for a bit before coming out here. That's where it becomes a bit of an issue. Okay? >> Because you're being notified that your kid's in distress. If he's even if he's just an emotional kid, but >> they say he was in distress. >> I mean, they're saying that there's a concern of a child in the car and they identified it's you. And if you're choosing to stay in line and not so exit, that's where it becomes a problem. Especially with it being a hot weather day and your kid in the car. Even if it was cold, it's still illegal to do so. Ultimately, what might end up happening is not jail time, but I have to call the DA cuz more than likely you're going to get summons for charge for the child. Okay. What's going to ultimately happen if that's the case, it's just the summits. You're not going to go in handcuffs, nothing like that. It's just a summon charge just to get a court date. Okay? And the charge would be a misdemeanor. What is going to happen is I'm going to go after this. If that's how it goes, I'm going to follow you to your home and conduct a home visit. Make sure the home is deemed safe and and obviously comfortable for a child cuz I have to. I'm not searching your house. I'm not going through cabinets or anything like that. The home visit is going to consist of this. We go to the home. He just show me the house in general where he sleeps and that the home has food, running water, and power. If his room's a mess, like a child, I'm not worried about it. If it's like a little kid's room, you know what I mean? Cuz people are like, "It needs to be spiced." Doesn't have to be. As long as there's no safety hazards, it's not like PC's all over the place like something gross, >> then it should go smooth. Home visits usually if they're if they're pretty average in and out in like a minute or so. >> Yeah, I understand. However, in a legal discussion with the prosecutor's office, the police's initial conclusion appeared to have several gaps. >> Do we have the state felony child or would that be misappear? >> Well, I'm I'm just looking at the the felony right now, which is and I'm looking at subsection D. >> Mhm. >> Abuse of shock consists of a person knowingly, intentionally, negligently, and without justifiable cause permitting a child to be placed in a situation that may endanger their life or health. I mean, was she she was going in to run errands, but she had no reason to leave the child in the car, right? Cuz >> Yeah, cuz she said that when I asked her originally, I was like, "Hey, was there a reason the kid was in the car?" And she's being compliant. She goes, "Well, I just was going to go grab something in and out and come back out." Cuz she was like, "Well, I was only in there for 3 or 2 minutes." So, I had obviously verified that. Turns out she was in there for 5 minutes, but she didn't have a valid reason to just in the car. >> Yeah. Subsection D3 exposed to the includ of of the weather. I think you have enough for the felony. talked to the DA. They said it's felony. They said because subsection D, she knowingly put the kiddo in that predicament. I told her, I was like, "Hey, the windows are cracked." Cuz she goes, "Well," she writes me. She said, "Subsection D is knowingly put in your child." She goes goes, "Well, so once she got notified that your kid's in distress and she chose to stay in line." She goes, "That's >> um is that a moth?" >> Yeah. >> No, it's in there now. It's It's whatever. She goes once she like knowingly did that um it becomes subsection D. So again though, she read statue. She's not here. It's up to you though. >> If we call the DA phone. Yeah. >> I can't justify not >> doing arresting her now. >> Yeah. Luckily, I did ask her sister's home. Her other sister. So, there's someone for the kids to do. So, what we can do is >> So, let's do this. That way, we don't 16 her in front of the kid. >> Yeah. >> Let's just say, "Hey, we're going to go do the home visit and then once we get there, we'll separate kiddo from mom and then go from there." >> So, here's where we're at. Okay. Unfortunately, based on what happened today, um that is a felony offense. >> I looked at my >> So, you are under arrest. We don't want to put you in handcuffs in front of kiddo. We want to make this as smooth as possible. Okay. So, you are under arrest at this point. What we're going to do is we'll put you in handcuffs. We'll put you in the back of the car. We're going to speak. Are you okay with your sister? >> Yeah. >> Watching your kiddo. >> Okay. So, we'll do that. We just have to do background checks on them through CFD. So, we'll have to get their information, both your sister and her. >> How many days am I going to be in jail? >> There's no promises about this. Most likely just for tonight. probably be released tomorrow. That is up to a judge. However, most people do just go for the night and then they get out the next day. >> Though initially considered for administrative action, the case was escalated to a more serious level and the mother was formally detained, but police handled it carefully to protect the child's well-being. >> This is about been the decision that's being made to be done at the direction of the district attorney after he was given the facts of the case. >> Correct. >> And then another thing too, just cuz you work in the you have your nursing license and stuff like that, right? you have your medicals and stuff. Only problem is certific >> it's a felony being charged with a felony. So more than likely that gets revoked with felony charge. We don't call the hospital. We don't call you then. >> Yeah. It's up to us to tell. >> Yeah. I'm just I'm just laying it all out there. It's a felony charge just based off what made it a felony misdemeanor is because when you were notified about what was going on through store employees made aware of it. Your witnesses you chose to stay in line a little bit more. That's when you were being warned that you caught a child in some sort of distress and you chose to kind of put that on delay and then that's where it became a phone subsection D of charge and that was read to me by DA and it's all on there. That phone call was recorded. >> I understand. >> Again, that doesn't mean your guilt means you have a probable cause based off. Do you have any questions before we begin? >> No. Can I just give my my stuff to my sister? >> Yeah. So, right now, let's walk to the car. Okay. You can take that if you'd like. It's up to you. You can take your phone. I need her phone. >> Okay. I mean, I'm not going to lie to you. I would keep your phone with you. We can probably work on getting writing the number down in a bit when you get Have you been You never been arrested, right? >> Yes, I have. >> Okay. So, yeah, you're going to get beat down and dropped off downtown when you get released. >> They don't have phones available so for you to use. >> Oh, they let me use my own. >> When you get released? Yeah. Fair enough. >> Oh, I see. When? >> Yeah. When you get released, it's best to have it with you so you can make a phone call for your sister to pick you up. >> Again, it's your call, but you can you can take it with you. >> No, cuz then I won't. >> Yeah. >> So, let's walk to this car right here by the curb. Okay. Oh [ __ ] >> What's that? >> Can I get my glasses instead of my contacts? >> Yeah, we can grab that for you. Let's just walk to the car for now. Okay. Like I said, I don't want uh I really prefer if your kid didn't have to see, you know, the handcuffing or you know, anything like that. So, just go ahead and put your hands behind your back. Okay. Do you want any washers to stay here? >> I'll take it. I'll take it. Sorry. Your phone. I >> think so. Do you have any medical equipment on you that no fringe or anything like that? Okay. if you need to. Should be good. >> The good news is that throughout the encounter, the mother fully cooperated with police even when being placed in the vehicle. >> Okay, we do have to do a full search. Okay. So, everything will come out of your pockets. >> No needles, no nothing sharp, nothing like that. Oh my god. >> Okay. You want that to stay with you or >> Oh, yeah. >> She's going this way. >> Nothing in your bra. >> Uh, I just have to check this back pocket. Okay. >> Same with this one. Okay. Then I do have to check uh your chest area. The back side of mine. Okay. Nothing you keep in your bra normally. I'll see you in the back real quick. Okay. I'll putress >> the mother was charged with thirdderee child endangerment. She could face legal consequences under state law. Even just a few minutes leaving a child alone in a hot car can be extremely dangerous. A moment of inattention can lead to serious risks. A missing mother, a crying child, conflicting statements. The incident in Illinois turned a quiet hotel into a tin scene involving children. >> These kids were left unattended in a hotel room at a age 2 and four, which is completely unacceptable under any circumstance. >> On December 6th, 2024, Elgen police received a report from hotel staff that two children ages 1 and three were reported alone in a room for an extended period. When officers arrived, officers heard sounds from inside but did not see the mother present. A short time later, she returned. He just got called over here cuz they were crying. So then he came and didn't want to leave them alone. He went and grabbed took Oh, there he is. >> Hi. So, can you tell me what's going on? >> Yeah, we got called cuz your kids were by themselves. >> Uh, no, they weren't. >> Who was here then? >> My sister was just here. >> They weren't here for the last 30 minutes when the worker came and checked. That's why we're here. Baby was like grabbing at that he needs a diaper change. I think I've at least been here for 12 minutes. The person who called had been here for some time before calling. So, this is ridiculous, honestly. Okay, so you have to stay in the room now with me. >> I'm waiting because you keep going out there and I need to make sure these kids are good because you weren't here for like 30 minutes. An adult was not here for 30 minutes with them. >> They were both sleeping. My sister just came out and I went to the store >> for 30 minutes. >> My sister was here. >> I'm telling you, the person who called is someone who works here. Yeah, I understand that. But they have to do the complete investigation cuz then they have to prove that I I was >> What's your first name? >> You need my first and last name. >> And what's a good phone number for you? >> 224. >> Okay. Well, this officer is in there watching your kids. We'll go in there and talk to them. Go inside and watch your children, please. >> Okay. This is >> Who was the your What's your name that was watching them? Can you stay over here, ma'am? I'm trying to hear what's going on. So, >> and a phone number. >> I don't have her phone number. I literally have a laptop. You see, I don't even have a phone. >> How do you speak to her? So, that >> Facebook. >> Okay. Can I >> I just gave you her name. I don't have a phone number. This is I don't even have a phone. This is all I have. I can show you that. So, what do you want me to do? >> What's her address? Hello. >> Hi there. >> All right. >> Hi, guys. >> What's going on today? You got a good pointer, huh? >> We were unattended. She says just 30 minutes, but it the claims 3 to 4 hours for just I got to find somebody who can talk to me on this side. >> Here, I'll I'll you guys can Yeah. >> The mother insisted that her sister had stopped by to look after the children, but this claim could not be verified. >> Hi, boss. >> Mom is in here changing the other one. >> Is this a mistake? Like she just or something in there with the kids? >> Are they okay? Yeah, you can come on. >> Crazy. >> Your iPad is in the background. >> You don't have a phone? >> How would anyone contact you? What is >> Well, I just contact like Are you saying like how do I communicate with my family and everyone? >> I'm trying to contact you. How would I contact you? >> Through Facebook Messenger. >> And then do you live here at this hotel? Yeah. This We were talking to Den. We just want to know the timeline of what happened. What I understood is Dalen went to the gas station. Can you start from there? When Dalen left to the gas station, where were you? >> I went outside at first and then let my sister in. And I was up here for a little bit and then I left for about 30 to 40 minutes. >> Okay. And your sister? >> Mhm. >> Okay. And you're in the room. You physically saw her in the room with the kids before leaving. >> Yes. >> And where did you go? >> Is this supposed to be like am I going to be arrested? Like what's going on? >> I'm just trying to figure out what happened right now. We walked into a room where kids are by themselves. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. >> Like 30 minutes. I understand. And were they Was one of them sleeping? >> Neither one of them was sleeping. >> Okay. Cuz she just checked on the door and she was sleeping. But I I think I've explained enough to the other officers. So, I've already had DCFS call on me before and I know how this [ __ ] goes. >> Can you just tell me what happened? >> I was gone for 30 to 40 minutes. >> You left. Was your sister in the room? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> She comes, you can see on the cameras. She comes here frequently. She showers here. >> Does she have her own room key to the door? >> No, she would need mine. She has a key to get in through the doors, but my door is currently off. That's how you guys were able to get in. >> She provided statements that were not consistent and did not share further details. >> You left and where'd you go? >> I went back down through this way. You stayed in the hotel? >> No, I left for 30 to 40 minutes. >> Okay. Where'd you go? >> I went to make an errand. >> Where would that be? >> In Elgen. >> Elgen is pretty. >> I have to be very specific. >> I would like to know where you went yet. >> I went to go handle some business. >> Somewhere close to here. Where is it? >> It's about 15 minutes at at the most away. >> Did you drive there? >> No, I had a ride. >> You had a ride. Who'd you ride with? >> I think it's >> Do you happen to have a last name? >> No, it was requested for me. >> Is that like an Uber service? Who requested that for you? >> My sister. >> Do you know right now? >> No, I don't. Probably at work. >> Okay. What time does she usually go to work? >> She has different shifts. They rotate and it's peak season. So, I don't know. >> You left here to go run an errand. You got a ride from someone and you don't you don't want to tell me where that is. >> It's a little personal. So, I don't really >> feel the the need to express it, but I honestly just want to know what's going on. So, like I can know if you guys are trying to cancel before so I could just let my mom know and call my grandma. So, >> how long ago did Dan leave the uh hotel? >> I'm not sure because I was still here. >> And then you left. How long ago? You said >> now it's probably way longer than 30 to 40 minutes, right? >> How long were you gone? >> I was gone for up to 40 minutes. >> When did you meet up with Den? Cuz you guys walked in here together. >> I called him as soon as I was on my way back. >> I thought neither one of you had a phone. >> Did you see me coming in with a laptop? >> You called him on a laptop? >> Yes. Neither one of us don't have a phone. >> And where did you guys meet up at? >> Outside. >> Like outside the hotel? >> Mhm. >> At the same time, officers informed the mother that the children would undergo medical checks to ensure their health and safety. >> So, we have to take the kids to the hospital. >> So, am I going with my kids? We are taking them to the hospital so that they can get medically evaluated and then we're going to have to contact DCFS to see what they want to do from that point. >> So you're telling me you're taking my kids away from me? >> They are going to the hospital to be checked out because the information that we've been provided is that they've been left there for several hours. So we have an obligation to make sure that the kids are safe medically cared for. That time frame really any time frame with kids that age is not acceptable. But when we're talking 3 plus hours, that's that's a problem. We have to make sure that they're okay. be examined by a medical professional. >> Am I not given the right to go with my kids to the hospital? >> That's one thing we're going to be kind of talking about at this point. Just one second. >> So, you call her on your laptop. >> Let them do their thing and you can get you can have your laptop and you can call, text, however you need. >> When evidence suggested the children had been left unsupervised longer than stated, police were required to contact DCFS. Tensions rose as the mother grew concerned about a possible review of her custody rights. >> Call your mom or call He's going to take our kids. >> So So again, I >> let's not make this any more complicated than need. >> The kids are going to the hospital to get checked out by a medical professional because our investigations revealed that they've been left here alone since 1:30 p.m. We have an obligation to make sure that the kids are in a good medical condition. We are going to make sure that they're examined at a hospital and we're going to call DCFS for further direction. That's what it is. >> So do we get our kids back after the hospital? We're going to have to call DCFS is going to make that determination >> and I'm supposed to like trust that you guys are going to >> You can trust us. Believe me, we will do a good job of of making sure that your kids are cared for. And again, you can't even come with him. >> I don't have a cell phone. How you guys going to tell me what's going on on the updates with my daughter? >> One thing I will tell you is although you're upset and frustrated, cooperation is going to be very important to make sure that this is a smooth process. If you want your kids back, >> then you need to cooperate. >> I already went through this before. I'm going to try to reiterate what the officer was saying. On behalf of the Elgen Fire Department, we have to make sure that the kids are well taken care of. I'm Captain Walzac with the with the department. You've got my name. I can give you all the contact information you need. I believe one of the officers are going to be remaining. I understand your phone's not working. The city's going to provide you with an officer so that they can relay information. And >> so you don't know like how long. >> It's literally up to DCF >> again. Because of the other case, they might just take my daughter. >> Are you serious, >> dude? They literally came in here and like literally cleared them and said that they look healthy and they're going to confirm that at the hospital. >> ECFs is going to make a determination on what we do. I'm not going to say that they're going to take the kids away from you. They may give the kids back to you tonight, but we have a process that we need to go through. It's imperative that you guys don't obstruct or make this any more difficult than it needs to be because again, we have to report to DCFS. >> While the father faced legal consequences for not cooperating, the mother continued to prevent officers from taking photos at the scene. I just need to get my iPad under your custody. Unless you're cool with us. >> We have an officer coming up to follow them to the hospital. We should have an offic I have not. >> You'll get a chance to take out here with us in the hallway. >> Come on, please. Let's go. >> We'll let you make the phone call. >> Cooperating is making you guys take my kids. No, don't say because this is >> Go out in the hallway now. in the hallway. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. It's okay. I'm going on your back. >> I'm going for what? Just put them on your back. >> For what? For what? >> Me? >> No. I had my sister here. >> She wasn't here. The video shows she was >> You can't lie with the video. >> I don't give a You guys had to see everything. Okay. From beginning to see how many people enter these doors. Okay. >> I did. There was no >> Did you guys call them yet? >> We're calling them. We're dealing with you guys first. >> THEY'RE TAKING ME TO JAIL. >> FOR WHAT? WE'RE IN GOING TO BE in danger, >> bro. No, that's bull. It's bull. >> What's [ __ ] is leaving your kids? >> No, you guys cannot do this. >> We were called here. We were called by the hotel because you made a bad decision to leave your kids home alone. >> That's not >> You can make excuses all you want, but the reality is is you committed a crime and we have an obligation to make sure that your kids are okay. If you think it's okay to leave your kids in a in a hotel room by themselves for 3 hours, if you think that that's okay, that's a rational thing in your head, we have probable cause to believe that these kids were left unattended age 2 and four, which is completely unacceptable under any circumstance. Sorry. One and three, left them in a hotel room and then you want to get upset with us like this is our problem that we created. No, no, no. We didn't create this problem. We are now forced to deal with it because you guys made a bad decision. And I'm not trying to talk down to you or belittle you. But there there is a point in time when we need to take some self responsibility for our actions. And when unacceptable things happen and criminal law is broken, we have an obligation as the police to do what we need to do. We want to make sure your kids are safe. Leaving kids alone for a 3 plus hour period is not acceptable. You >> guys don't even have like this is crazy. Even when we're inside and out, right? I leave for 5 minutes. >> What is the consecutive time that I have to be? >> There is no set timeline. So if I leave for 10 minutes and I go outside to smoke a blunt and I come back in, that's unacceptable. >> That's not the circumstances we're dealing with right now. The circumstances we're dealing with are that the kids were left alone for 3 plus hours. >> I just took my kid. So now how am I like this is crazy. Someone's going to stay with me the whole night and make sure they're going to tell me with my daughter. >> That's not the plan. We're going to be with you so that if you have questions about what what's going on, we're going to share that. The plan is you're going to be going down to the police station with us to address this. In the end, police followed procedure and brought her to the station as she appeared unsettled and fearful of losing custody of her children. >> I'm getting arrested, too. >> Yes, you both are >> because THEY THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE EVIDENCE. THE JUDGE WILL SEE EVERYTHING. I'VE ALREADY HAD THIS exact same thing going on. >> And we're not saying you're guilty of anything. We're saying we have probable cause we're saying you have we have probable cause for your arrest for endangering the life and health of a child. Actually, two counts because there's two children involved. I'm not trying to tell you that you're guilty of anything. That's for the courts to decide. We have an obligation when innocent children are involved in a case that we have to do everything line by line. I would not be doing your children a service if I just left them here with you and said, you know, let's try and do better. It doesn't work that way. DCFS is going to ask us for photos of the conditions that we found the kids in. Can we take pictures for their purposes? >> DCFS want to see the see if my kids are okay. >> They can't see if the pictures. They're not going to come here. They're going to go to the hospital. >> Okay. Then they can see them at the hospital. But no, they can't take photos. >> No, no. I'm talking about the conditions of your apartment. >> You cannot take pictures of >> You don't want me to? >> No. I mean, it's for the most part it's not that bad, but >> it it documents the conditions at the time that we were here. >> Okay. Oh, so you're asking to take permission of photos? >> Yeah. >> Okay. No, you can't. They said that we >> Yes. So, they took both the babies away from us and took them to the hospital. Now, they're trying to charge me and Dan with child endangerment. >> Taken to the police station, booked and processed, and then we'll go from there. So you guys witnessed my door lock, right? And you have it on camera like that my kids stuff is safe. >> It's locked in there. >> Of course, but you guys were already in the room. So I just want to make sure that no one else can get in and take any of my children's. So the charge that I'm being arrested for is child and their father's being charged with the same thing. >> Yeah. >> Even though it's my hotel room and I stay there. >> You both are the parents, aren't you? >> When you run my name, are you able to see I've been charged with anything? >> Yep. It's on here. >> So, can you inform me of what I've been charged with beside today? >> No. >> Police officer can put a charge on you, right? But it has to be the judge is the one that makes the ultimate determination, right? Jury or judge? I'm learning something. I didn't know that. I just I've normally had judges every court case I had. So, to think I wanted to join police academy. This [ __ ] is crazy, man. This is crazy. And it's better to join them cuz you can't beat them in this world. >> Authorities announced that both parents would face legal action related to child safety. Each could face significant legal penalties under state law. Being a parent means more than giving birth. It means keeping children safe at all times. Whether from neglect or hardship, them alone for hours poses serious risks. When the camera stops, the lives of those in the video continue along with the outcomes of the choices made. For children, however, they don't always understand what's happening. What they need most is timely care and protection. This video is not intended to spark anger, but to build awareness. Sometimes a single thoughtful decision can guide everything toward a safer direction. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to stay connected with us. See you next time.