That house needs to be convinced. >> I can't. Like, I literally can't. >> He's inside passed out cuz he's a horrible girl. >> I don't think I failed that test. >> That house is disgusting. >> Then you ask why I'm >> That's really not fair because I'm dead. >> A 2-year-old boy wandering in the street, a father lying convincingly, a home turned into hell, and a drunk mother behind the wheel with three kids. Where is the limit of irresponsibility? It all began with a 911 call that shook the entire Flaggler Police Department. >> Like 91. What's the location? Emergency. >> I found a little boy in the road. >> Are you with the child now? >> Yes, I am. I walked up to the house that I believe he lives in. Front doors wide open. There's crap all over. >> There a vehicle in the driveway? >> Yes. On March 16th, 2025, Flaggler County deputies in Florida received an emergency report of a 2-year-old boy wandering in the street. They rushed to the scene and confronted the father, Ross. But instead of a clear explanation, they got a contradictory statement. This is my home, but I don't live here. >> Got out, walked away. Got out and walked around. >> Yeah, when I was in the bathroom. >> Is he okay? >> Yeah, he's fine. >> Were you out here earlier with him or not? Yeah, we just got up this morning and then his wife he's two and a half now. So he knows how to like unlock doors. So he just went out here. I was like, "Dang, dude. We don't even stay here." So >> you don't stay here. >> No. >> Where do you live? >> My parents house is where he >> Where is that? >> Up at the the hammock. >> So what are you doing here? >> We just stopped here this morning. >> Where is here? >> My house. >> Uh I've been here before. >> At the time I stayed Well, I stayed here by myself. >> Yeah. >> You exchanged your child here to your wife? >> Yeah. >> Your ex-wife? >> Yeah. >> Is she coming to pick him up today or >> No, tomorrow. How did Why didn't you come out the door that you went in when I saw you when I walked up? >> Going out this way to see what's going on. >> No, I think you knew what was going on. >> I didn't know there was like a bunch of people here. I was just kind of assessing the situation back then. >> 2-year-old that was walking in the street and then you saw me standing in the driveway. >> I'm just brother. I'm just shut the door and then you won't open the door when I knocked 10 times. That >> we were outside on the back. I was came out the side over here because >> I don't want I don't want any trouble, guys. I appreciate everybody's help. There's really not a big deal issue. >> Do you have your ID on you? >> Yes. >> I just want to let everybody know that the baby's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine. I don't want any issue. >> Well, you have an issue. >> And then what's his last name? >> It's going to be okay. >> What's his date of birth? >> Looks like mommy's going to get the best of us in court. >> Hey. Hey, buddy. Come here. >> Hey, come here. >> That's what happens when the dog gets by the neighbor and wife leaves with the baby. House goes to hell and then baby ends up making a scene. No points for daddy. We were about to go to his grandparents house. getting ready to get him dressed. I thought he was walking the street by himself. >> No, but to use the bathroom by myself. I just I didn't know he could open that front door. Like I didn't know he could open that deadbolt, dude. He can reach it now. >> Which house? You said this one, too. >> You have to realize I only saw him two weeks ago. I didn't know he could reach the damn deadbolt. He was just a 2-year-old 2 years ago, you know, and now he's like 2 and a half and he can like do anything. >> Do you have your license on you? >> Yeah. You can read my uh license number if you want, but I won't get it for you. Then Ross started spinning a story to make himself look better, even blaming it on the kid's intelligence. >> Run me through what all what all transpired. Okay. >> Yeah. I got up. He had woken up. I had gotten up. He went to watch Coco Melon. So he's in there doing his ABCs. I go to the bathroom like, you know, cuz sometimes you got to take him up in the morning, you know. I went to go do that. Normally it's quick in and out. And he's watching his ABCs on the Coco Melon cartoon. And I guess he walked out here. He must have been out here not been too long. Somebody spotted him. And obviously when you see a toddler in the street, you're going to freak out and be like, "What the hell's going on here?" >> Do you know about the time that it was from the time that you last saw him until >> Right. Right when the neighbor Sharon came over and brought him in. So the neighbors, I don't know if it was her, she said some other neighbor called you guys. Otherwise, she knew who he is. She immediately brought him in the house. >> Do you know like the amount of time it was from the time you got into the bathroom cuz you weren't? >> He must have been out here just for a minute or two. >> Okay. I mean, has has any has this happened before? >> No. >> No. >> Well, he drives a little Jeep. I got that modified Jeep that I made for him. He's used to being around the neighborhood collecting golf balls, driving around his Jeep. So, he's probably too comfortable around this neighborhood this hour of the day on a Sunday. Shouldn't be out there at all. So, yeah, it's highly embarrassing. >> And you said the front door was locked. >> Yeah, it was dead bolted. Yeah, you could reach it. I guess I'm stunned that Mr. Escape artist here has managed to do that amount of time that he did in the bathroom. >> Yeah. trying to think of. >> So when the neighbor came over and notified you, what were you doing? >> I was in the bedroom at that point because I had just went in there to find him, make sure he was still watching Coco Melon. She comes walking in the house and I'm like, "What's going on?" >> So you were already awake. >> Cameras work? >> No, they don't. That one's just a dummy and the other one's a dummy as well. And there was another one. I think it's falling down. I guess I'm glad my son's safe. He's in my arms. >> You want to just make sure your son is safe? >> He's absolutely safe. He stays with his grandparents most of the time because I don't like this house. It's so old and rickety and water works, electric works, and all that. It's just 70s house. Just not a very conducive safety to a kid. You know, like there's a pool in the back that's green because I can't afford to take care of it right now. >> Meanwhile, a neighbor spoke up revealing chilling secrets about the man next door. And surprisingly, their statements couldn't be more opposite. >> I guess >> y'all need to take that kid. >> Can you tell me what happened? >> About 20 minutes before we call, I saw the baby wandering around here. I figured Ross was in his driveway, you know. I just said, "Oh, Ross is out letting the kid walk around." You know, there's not much traffic. All of a sudden, I see these this car slowing down. Stop. Another one. I went, "Oh, God." And I went out there and sure enough, that baby was out. 20 minutes later, he's inside passed out cuz he's a horrible drunk. That house needs to be condemned. >> The baby was outside for 20 minutes on his own >> at least. >> But it probably was longer because that's when you came. That's when I saw, you know, I went out back and I talked to the lady. I said, "Y'all need to call the police." Came back in. I called the police. They called the police. I know y'all can't do anything, but I'm going to find his the mother. >> Has anyone ever reported to DCF? >> Not to my knowledge. >> No. This is the first time anything's happened like this. I know he's a drunk driver and I'm going to start calling on him every time something happened. I didn't call, but I know he drives drunk. I know y'all are going to let him off. I know your hands are tied, but I'm going to find the mothers and she needs to be aware. She needs to do something about not letting him have that kid. >> Well, there's probably something going on. >> And listen, Ross is full of dookie. He's He'll tell you anything. He lies. He's a gutter drunk. I know. My brother's a gutter gutter drunk. They're pitiful. They're pitiful. They can't be left with children who they got a pool in their backyard. It looks like >> Did you guys go in the home and find him passed out? >> That lady over there went over there. Okay. >> I would have just called y'all and let him sleep. The mother needs to know. >> She's gonna have to know. This isn't something that we're just going to let him off with. This is her child, too. >> I don't hate Ross, but I see him staggering around in the afternoon drunk. >> Is a fire hazard. His backyard. You need to walk red. Look at that pool. That pool looks like a mud hole. I think you need to take the child to these teeth. We can just take the child, but we have a protocol situation. DCF has to be notified of anything like this. We're not just going to turn a blind eye and just turn away and give him back. That's not how that happened. >> This is a chronic that man, he he's out of his mind. He knows nothing. He's going to lose everything. >> Back to the main character, Ross kept playing the devoted dad until his real emotions started slipping through his body language. >> Mom's local as well. No, she moved at the land, so we don't even see each other. I just pick him up to and from daycare. We're going to be okay. No one's going to take you away. >> So, you were in your >> I went to my I went to my bedroom from my bathroom, not realizing that he was freaking outside. >> So, you weren't asleep or anything like that? >> No. >> And he was in his room watching Coco Melon. >> Yeah. >> So, how did he how did he get out? >> He opened the deadbolt somehow. >> The deadbolt? >> Yeah. He can reach. >> Why is his deadbolt >> about right here? He reached up and got it. >> You said about right here. >> Yeah. >> And he's about right here. >> He can reach. He can reach. >> Is there a step stool or something? >> I don't know what he did. I deadbolt that door at night. Of course. Father of a 2 and 1/2-year-old. You think I'm not going to leave the deadbolt on? The door doesn't even latch otherwise. >> He's never tried to open this deadbolt before. >> We're not here very often. We're not here often. He stayed most of the time at my parents house for this very reason. Cuz I have a pool that is unmaintained. Can't afford to maintain it. >> So, why are you guys here now? >> We spent the night here last night. It's my last night with my son. I wanted to just be with my son. I just wanted to be with my son. I'm sorry he got out of the street. I'm sorry. The neighbors obviously flipped out. She would have >> Well, they're saying he's been out here for over 20 minutes. >> That's my >> I'm not I'm not aware of how long it was. I don't know what 20 minutes is to other people, but I don't think it was that long, but >> that's that's what they're saying. >> Well, I thought he was in his bedroom watching cocoa mill. It's okay, buddy. They're not going to take you away. Okay. It's going to be okay. I'm glad that my neighbors helped out, and I just want to move on and get the rest of my weekend with my son. I'm just a dad who misses his little boy, and I only get so much time with him. We went miniature golfing yesterday. I'll I'll I'll take you through some photos in my phone which will let you know that he's a welltaken care of little boy. >> That's not our concern right now. Like >> I understand he's not in a he doesn't live here. He's my son. I only see him part-time. If this turns into something else, I'm never going to see him again. And it's not because of any domestic issue or anything else. Her and her mother decided that they wanted to move to the land with my son and say goodbye to me, take this baby and run with him. And I get them luckily because Katie, his mother, is decent enough to still let me spend time with how can I screw this up in 3 days a month, 3 days every two every twice a month. I've somehow I'm somehow managed. >> And from there, the timing of the incident became a riddle with too many versions. >> I asked you earlier how long it was. You said it could have been more than a minute. >> Only a few minutes. I didn't realize it was out here that long. I don't know what who said that. >> They said it's been over 20 minutes. Who knows how long he was really out here because that's just when she noticed him out here. I remember when he woke up. I like I said, I thought that he was in his bedroom watching Coca-Cola and as long as the song is going cuz I don't even have internet. I used to use >> Has his pamper been changed >> uh last night right before bed? >> It's 9 It's after 9:00 a.m. >> He was going to be >> What time did he go to bed? >> 9:00 p.m. 9:30. >> What time did he wake up? >> Uh this morning about What time is it now? >> 9:20. >> About 8 8:15 8:30. >> After getting the green light from their superior, they moved in to check the child's shelter. And that's when Ross's expression began to change. >> What's the next step here? >> I don't know. We're just standing here. We're waiting for them to let us know. Okay. >> I'm not over there. So, >> all right. I'm ready to just carry on with my day at this point. >> Not something easy to >> I know. I know. I know. I know. I understand. >> Based on the totality of the circumstances, do you mind if we just go inside, double check the welfare of the living situation? >> He does not live here. We were just stopped here last night and we ended up staying here. >> I know, but he's your child. You said you have him for a certain amount of days. I'm not okay with that because of the fact that I have a dog that's not well, smells bad, he's got an ear infection. >> Well, we're worried about your son, not your dog. >> So, if a child is staying here, no matter if it's for a day or if it's for 6 months, there needs to be some sort of >> Right. We camp out in my truck. >> The child. >> You camp out in your truck most of the time. >> Like a lot of times with him, we just hang out in my truck. I try to spend as little time here as possible. I only meet my ex here to transfer the child on most occasions cuz it's midway. Well, because of everything that occurred, we need to check out the welfare of the home. >> I don't want anyone coming in the house right now. >> And why is that? >> Again, I've been staying with my parents. >> Okay. But last night, you stayed here with the child, right? And this is your residence. >> We spent a few hours here between like 10:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. >> That's a long time. >> Does he have like a bed? >> Yeah. >> Can we confirm that? Just the living situation of him confirmed. >> I carried him in and he stayed in his room. >> Yeah. Can we confirm that he has like a proper bed? >> Come on. Just one of you. >> Well, there's only two of us. >> Is that the door that he came out of? >> Well, I I I think it's locked now. I didn't know that you all were here. >> He's confirmed the dead. [Applause] >> That's okay. >> Good boy. Flaggler deputies weren't ready for the nightmare inside. Piles of trash, mold, rotten food blocking paths, a strong stench, and swarms of flies. In the child's room and bathroom, there were razors, prescription meds, alcohol, and animal feces, all within reach of a toddler. Even a skin and bone dog was locked in a cage like trash. That alone was enough for police to arrest the father. >> Looks like I'm in trouble. What's grandparents phone number? >> 904. >> What am I being charged with? >> Grab two things before we if we have to leave without being arrested. My medication and my hopefully my >> medication. I got to take it first. >> What is grandma's name? >> What's his grandma's name? >> Joyce. If I'm going to be in jail, I'll have to get out. Uh I have a a key to my work vehicle. Few things to worry about. >> That dog ever leave that cage? >> Yeah, he does. But like because he runs he was in it. That's why we were here last night about and give him food. >> How far is your wife? >> 47 miles away. >> But the grandparents live across >> 7 miles away. They're right up the road. They'll be happy to take them. >> We're going to walk over to my car, right? >> Okay. Just can I grab my meds? >> No. Has medication. >> Can I get my phone at least? >> Okay. You said you didn't know where it was. >> Yeah. I in the house. There's probably >> between here and bathroom. Let's go. >> Okay. We'll look for it. >> Okay. Why is everybody so mad? >> Why are we mad? >> Did you see what the inside of your house looks like? >> You think that's proper living situations for a child? >> Man, your 2-year-old son in the middle of a busy street by himself while you while you're sleeping. >> Good job. Good job, bud. How about some nuts? You need some nooks? Oh, good job, dude. >> Well, no. Let's go. >> You have a rusty chainsaw outside. You have nothing but broken glass bottles. Your house is disgusting. Then you ask why I'm mad. We make a line. >> Have a seat. Okay. Buddy. I know he's going to be okay. Do you see if there's toys move? >> Watch your head. >> There's There's no There's like no walking room in there. There's smell in there. There's flies in there. That house didn't just get like that over the past couple weeks. It had to have been like that when you were >> I told him I said, "Get that house cleaned up." And he goes, "Oh, I am. I am." He's got an excuse for everything. >> Right after, police quickly reached out to the grandparents to hand over the child. >> Hi. >> Here. I'm here. Hi. Are you Joyce or >> Have you guys been informed what's going on right now? >> You want to hop out and talk to me? Do you want to put the dog away real quick? No, no one's hurt or nothing like that. >> No, I'll I'll talk to you out here. Is Ross your son? Your son? >> He's been arrested. I talked to the deputies over in Palm Coast. I guess he was found drunk sleeping at home while your grandson was wandering the streets by himself. >> Oh, you're kidding. >> So, your grandson's with deputies right now and Ross is going to jail most likely for a no charge. That being said, we don't want to give the grandchild over to DCF. Are you willing to come take custody of the child? >> Oh, yeah. >> Do you have the means to care for him? Do you have the means to care for the child in the meantime? Do you mind if I come inside just check it out? Just make sure it's good for the child and then and the child is correct. Okay. >> Oh, hey buddy. And I know this is pretty tough news, but uh we don't want them going with DCF either. You know what I mean? This is actually a deputy. I'm with them right now. So, all right. Do you want them head over there? Okay. They're on their way. I'm already walking inside the house. That's why I'm walking in. So, I'll have him over there in a sec. All right. Let me just check him out inside real quick. >> Ross Judy, 44, was arrested and held on charges including one felony count of child and a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty. Under Florida law, he faces up to 6 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. However, at his first hearing, the court set his bond at $4,000. Children's minds are fragile. Growing up in such an environment can lead to chronic anxiety, emotional disorders, loss of trust in adults, and worse, learning to see suffering as normal. And if you think a lost child is bad, wait until you see a drunk mother steering the fate of three kids from behind the wheel. >> You said you had half a drink, >> but it was over the course of 2 hours. >> On October 20th, 2023, an anonymous call came in. A woman was driving drunk with three children in the car. Molen Illinois police rushed to the intersection where their encounter with the mother Cynthia began to reveal an unsettling truth. >> Hi, how's it going? My name's Offspring from the police department. The reason I'm pulling you over so your license plate there's dirt. You can't read the last three of them. >> Yeah, I know. I was going to swap. Yeah, I got pulled over. I need you to hang on the phone. >> Okay. Do you Do you have an ID on you? And then if you have insurance, I'll take that, too. >> My mom says she has a copy of my insurance. >> Okay. Okay, just have her just have her send you that and then >> Can I please speak? >> Okay, go ahead. >> I had my car searched by Ventburg Police Department and when that happened, they lost my insurance copy and I've asked my mom to please send me a copy of it, but she has not been able to do that since then. She has a copy of it and she can she can send it. >> Yeah, that's perfect. Just have her text to you. Okay. And then I'll take your in your driver's license if you need that. Can I get out of the car >> to look for my bag? >> What? >> Back seat or >> my I don't know if it's in my back seat or if it's in my trunk. >> I can just grab your name from you. >> How many little ones you got back here? Three. >> Three. >> You just want to sit tight for me. Okay. >> I'm sorry. What was the reason you're falling over? >> So I can't read the license plate when I'm behind you because stuff like that. >> I got pulled over again the other day for the light. The light that's below. It was because >> Is there a light that's that's knocked out back here? Yeah. I couldn't even tell. I'll take a look at it. Okay. >> Hey, do you mind stepping out for me real quick? >> Um, yeah, she has the >> Is it okay if I just grab your phone and take it? >> She has a copy of it right there. >> And then there was another >> I got it. I got it. Oh, yeah. I just need to see this. Okay. You mind stepping out for me real quick so we can talk back here? >> She didn't deny drinking. In fact, she called it her stress relief therapy. Okay. >> So, we had a caller say that you've been drinking. And then you got in your car and that you've been drinking. Okay. Is that true at all? Have you been drinking today? >> Mom. >> So, I'm going to be honest. I can see it in your eyes. Okay. Your eyes are are >> Can I talk to my mom? >> I'd rather you ask answer my questions right now while I'm trying to talk to you. We can talk to mom later. >> Yes, I was. >> You were drinking? >> Yes, because I was going to take my kids trick-or-treating and I was nervous and I didn't want to and instead I hung out with my friend Eva. >> How much did you drink? I didn't drink that much. >> How much is not that much? >> Like a half a pint. >> Half a pint of what? >> But it's above the legal limit. So, I'm going to get my third DUI. Mom. >> Mom, >> my kids are crying. >> I'm going to talk to her back here where the kids can really see. Okay. Do you want to come back here? We'll talk out here where the kids can't really see. Okay. >> Please. Oh my god. Bro. >> Cynthia, do you want to talk back here where the kids can't see? >> No matter what. They're traumatized already. >> We're trying to not >> I want to not traumatize. Let's just walk back. >> Mom, I don't know what to do right now. Mom, I literally was just trying to go home because of a an argument at the hotel. >> Can we talk to mom later? Does that sound like a plan? So, you can ask my questions. >> I don't want to talk to her when I'm in jail. I want to talk to her the whole time I'm on the phone with you. That is my right. >> Okay. You're talking while she's on the phone then? Does that sound like a plan? >> Yeah. Mom, can I please put you in my pocket? >> When did you stop drinking? >> It's like an hour ago. >> Like an hour ago. You said you had half a penny. >> Yeah. >> What were you drinking? >> But it was over the course of 2 hours. What was it that you were drinking? >> Amsterdam. >> Tobaca. Okay. >> I was going to visit a friend who was going to go with me to my kids trick-or- treat school party. >> Drinking at >> I was drinking at home. At first, >> police began a DUI test and Cynthia quickly pulled the I'm deaf card as a lastditch excuse. >> Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to give you some sobriety test, okay? Some tests for you to perform. >> I'm literally really close to home. I don't even care if I just hit a phone. >> I'm not that intoxicated. Listen to me, please. >> Hold on. I'm talking. Okay. That's what the tests are for, okay? It's to determine how intoxicated you actually are cuz alcohol affects everyone different ways. Okay? So, depending on how you do these tests, it'll depend on if you drive home or not. Okay? At the end of the day, you have your kids in there, right? So, I'm not going to mean anyway. >> So, I'm going to test even if I pass what? >> It's depending on how you perform on these tests. Okay. So, are you We're going to do some tests. Okay. So, you're going to keep following my stimulus with your eyes only until I tell you to stop. Do you understand the instructions? >> Yeah, I do have these quote. I am deaf and this year so it is hard for me to maintain my full balance. Even if I'm not intoxicated, it is hard for me to maintain my balance. >> Okay. Go ahead and follow just to tip my finger. Okay. >> Okay. Go ahead and blink a couple times. >> I'm sorry. I was I thought you were not. >> Nope. You got to keep following it. So Let's do it again. No problem. >> So, we're done with the first one. The second one's going to be the walking turn. Okay. So, for this one, do you have any physical problems or disabilities besides the >> I'm deaf and I've never been good at it. I've literally never been good at it. >> Do you have any physical problems though? It's going to affect your >> No, but can I please put my phone in my out of my pocket? >> It's going to help you. Just like this. Arms on your side still. So, you can look at how I'm doing it >> right now. >> Yeah, you can go ahead and put >> I'm sorry. I see enough like Facebook videos to say, "Oh, not until you're instructed." >> So once you start walking, don't stop until you've completed the test. Do you understand the instructions? Begin and count your first step as one. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 So, we have one more test. So, for this one, we're going to get in the same stance we were in for the first one. Feet together. Me and >> I'm at a slant. I know I'm at a slant cuz I can feel it. >> Okay. I don't know if I can do it facing this way. >> You'd rather do it again facing that way? >> I would. Yes. >> Okay. You think this is You think this is flat, straight. I'll get these sticks out of your way so you didn't walk on them. >> I don't need the sticks out of my way. No, I am I will anyway. >> You You want to do the walk and turn again? Is that what you're saying? >> No, I'm not saying I want to do the walk and turn again. I'm saying I can feel the slant when I'm walking this way. So, I would rather just stand. >> Okay. >> We can walk. You can have to walk again that way. That's what you want to do. >> You just was instructing me to stand. >> Yeah. But if you want if you think this is slanted and you're not and you want to do >> I don't think I failed that test. >> The final part of the test was given, but instead of cooperating, she used her condition as a shield, twisted the rules to her liking, and called it fair play. >> So for this one, I'm going to have you first just like how you were. So go ahead. >> If I'm deaf anywhere and I have a hard time maintaining balance and I can prove that in court, what does that do for affecting me? >> Okay. because I do have a deaf ear and it is really hard for me to maintain my balance. Okay. >> So, do you have vertigo? >> I have uh I can't remember the name of it, >> but you don't take meds for it or anything. >> I'm supposed to have a hearing aid, but I can't get a hearing aid unless I'm in Poria or Chicago, >> but I will do the best. >> Okay. Yeah. And that's and that's all that we ask. I absolutely Yeah. >> Yep. I'm totally with that. >> Okay. >> You can go ahead and start. 100,004 off a little bit higher. >> 1,006 I can like I literally can't. >> Okay. >> Like >> does it just affect your balance? >> It does. It really does. And that's not fair. That's really not fair because I'm deaf. >> You want to try it again or are you done? >> I am going to try it again. >> Okay. 1,00 1,002 100,004 1005 106 1007 1008 1009 10123 1 2015 2016201 2022 2024 >> she done >> and And of course, police weren't fooled. They answered with the click of handcuffs. >> If you just kind of walk over, we'll walk back this way and I'll talk to you. Okay, you can grab yourself. Okay. So, you're going to be arrested, okay, for DUI. Okay. Drinking under the influence. Driving under influence. Sorry. Go ahead and I'm just going to take this and put it on the ground. >> What did I fail? >> The first actually all three of them. >> All three of them. >> Mhm. >> Yep. Okay. Do you have anything else on you? >> I'm asking how did I fail all three of them? I can explain to you later, right? Do you have anything else on you? Anything else beside your phone? >> No. >> I I I can't hear you. I'll talk to you in a second. Okay. >> Can I call my kids by and everything is going to be okay? Please. >> Right now, we're taking them. >> Right now, we're going to take a seat and then we can go commit. Okay. >> Please tell my kids it'll be okay. >> Well, we're just going to take a seat for right now. >> I don't want to traumatize them. Please >> just take a seat. >> Can I please tell my kids it'll be okay? >> Just Just give me a second. >> She had two tires. Even if anything, she had all nestagmas all day long. >> Oh, I know. >> And don't tell me you're deaf. I literally that was the first time that I've ever heard her say that. She had no problem. The first being super argumentative. >> I can see. So, they were staying with the her one of her good friends at one point. >> The deeper they dug, the more shocked they were. Cynthia's record was far from clean. In fact, she had quite the history with DUIs. >> Can I please tell them? >> What do you want to do with the kids? >> Can I please call someone? Can I please call someone? Can I please tell them it's going to be okay? >> Stop yelling. >> They're freaking out. Am I not supposed to freak out? >> Your friend that they used to stay with. Can we call her? >> We are not in no good terms right now. >> What about your mom? >> She lives in Iowa, so I have to call their grandma. Can I please have my phone? I don't know her name. >> Yes, your phone for you >> and her number. Like, please let me figure something out. This is not okay. This is not okay. I was trying to leave a bad situation. the wrong leg. >> Go ahead and step out. I'm going to undo >> and I'll let you make a phone call. >> I will. I will collaborate. I will not resist. >> That's fine. We're letting you make a phone call quick. We can figure out what we're going to do with the kids. >> I didn't think I felt at all for you. Like, it's crazy. >> They're freaking out. So, it's like waiting me out. >> I'm I have PTSD and I can't deal with that. Like, I didn't take my meds today. >> So, we do got to figure out because I think you have a prior conviction for DUI, right? So, do you know if you only have one or do you have two? >> I have one in Illinois and one in Iowa. And the one in Iowa, I pled not guilty. I'm trying to fight that because I wasn't guilty. >> You had one in Illinois and then you had one in Iowa. >> Was that like within the past like seven years? >> July 12th >> of this year. Was that Illinois or Iowa? >> Iowa. >> Okay. Okay. And then one in Illinois. Has that been a few years? >> It has been over a year and a half >> for the Illinois one. >> And I've been doing a bunch of classes and bunch of stuff that's not relevant to right now. Did you have an Iowa license when that happened? >> No. >> No, but I wasn't the one driving all night. I got left stranded in my vehicle. I had a designated driver the whole night until I got stranded. >> Okay. >> Mom. Hello. >> Hello. >> Yeah, I am under arrest. I supposedly failed all the tests. I don't know why. I tried to tell them that I'm deaf. I tried to tell them that I can't balance well. They didn't I don't know. >> I didn't think I didn't think that I failed, but according to them, I failed. And they are telling me that there is a possibility of doing I'm sorry. What did you say? >> No. So, if you just cooperate and we go down to the PD, like we would give you like an NTA and everything like that. More than likely. >> Can you explain this to my mom? >> Can we just verify though for the kids really quick because we got to find somewhere for the kids to go. >> I don't have anywhere for the kids to go. They don't talk to Sarah anymore. >> You got somewhere for the kids. I don't talk to Sarah anymore. >> Mom's saying she can come and get them. >> She lives 2 hours away. She lives 2 hours away. >> Stay with somebody at the PD until she gets here. >> Mom, I'm not going to have them go with She beats them. No. >> Out of excuses, she took the last route, denying reality and begging for sympathy. >> Hello. You let me talk to the police. >> I'm trying. Yeah. >> Screaming. >> They don't want to go where they >> freaking your kids out. >> They don't want to go where they >> You're the one driving drunk with kids in the car. >> You're putting their lives in jeopardy. >> I am not drunk. >> I need you to at least stop screaming and >> Excuse me. I'm not drunk. >> Okay. I can smell it on your breath. >> Great. Maybe I spilled it on my clothes. Maybe that's what that spilled. >> I've never drank and drove my kids. >> So, excuse me. >> You need to grow up and be here for your kids. We're trying to figure out a way. >> A single mom of three kids. >> Okay, that's fine. >> And I do everything I can for them. >> Okay, we need to figure out a solution to bring them somewhere. >> And I don't mean tell me to shut up and be quiet when I'm trying >> and you're freaking them out >> because they're not going to go with Sarah, the woman that we can just call DCFS and the DCFS. >> DCFS don't know that Sarah beat them, which is the foster mom who took them the last time. >> You're going to call DCFS if you're not going to find out. >> My mom is going to figure it out. >> No, go ahead and take a seat. I'm going to close the door. Take a seat for me. going to close the door >> so I can't know what's going on with my mom. >> Okay, we'll let you know what she says >> cuz you just caused a whole more scene than I was talking to my mom, right? >> Okay, I'm going to put the couch back on you. >> I I don't even need them, bro. I'm not going anywhere. >> Come back. Take a step out here so I can put the couch back on you. Nope. You got to step out cuz you have to go behind you. >> Oh my god. Seriously, can I please find out? Can I please know what's going on with my mom? >> I'm trying to She pays my bills. >> Okay, take a seat. >> She pays my bills. I'm trying to ask if she can please go to my house. Okay. >> Why am I not allowed to know now? >> Because you were under arrest. >> To ease her deep sense of injustice, officers granted one last breath test, and the result was heavy enough to crush both her pride and her illusion of innocence. >> I'm about to freak out. >> Kids are going to pee their pants. We need to figure out how to get her back to PD. >> What did my mom say? >> She's going to head down here. So, the kids are going to head down to the PD and and wait with somebody. She said she's going to head this way and take her about 2 hours. So kids are going to wait at the PD with an officer most likely or or with a social worker or something until your mom can get. You want to step out for me? You ignoring me is asking. >> Go ahead and ignoring me is asking me to get you ignoring me. I was over a little conversation that you're supposed to protect as my right. It's my right to know. Why am I not seat belted in your vehicle? You walk in there, >> right? >> So, you've you've been convicted of a DUI, right? At least once. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, because of that, if you say you don't want to do any of these breath tests and you refuse them, your license gets suspended for 3 months. But if you do do it and you're over a 08, they get suspended for 1 year. Okay. Does that make sense? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, if I don't do it, >> you don't do it, your license gets suspended for 3 years. >> 3 years. I thought you said 3 months. >> Nope. 3 years if you don't do it. If you do do it, If you do do it and you're over 008, it only gets suspended for one year. We have to wait 20 minutes. Okay. >> All right. It's on my leg. >> Okay. Okay. Do you want to step up here for me? So, not right now. I'm going to hold this. Okay. All you're going to do is blow into this like you're blowing up a balloon. Okay. So, real hard until I tell you to stop. Just keeps going. It'll make a beep when you're done. Stop. Okay. So, just give me one second to get it going. Nope. I hold it. Just keep blowing. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow. Blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow. Okay, you're good. You go ahead and take a seat. >> I can't know. >> No, you just got to take a seat. I'll show you. Okay, it gets printed off. So, just take a seat and I'll let you know what it is. Because your children in the car, it's also going to be the life of a child. And it depends how many times you've gotten convicted of it. Have you gotten convicted of that at all? >> To endanger the life or health of a child. >> Once we'll figure it out and I'll let you know everything that goes on. I'm not going to leave you in the dark in anything. >> Okay. So, you can take a seat. So, all I have to do is work on paperwork and then I'll get you out of here. Okay. >> What was my >> It was.169. That's over twice the legal limit. >> Based on the evidence gathered, the mother Cynthia was formally charged with multiple serious offenses, including the life of a child, driving under the influence, DUI, failure to properly secure a child under eight, improper display of license plates, and illegal transportation of alcoholic liquor. Under Illinois law, she could faces up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 for these violations. When life feels overwhelming, choose a healthy way out, not alcohol. Just one reckless moment from an adult can leave a lifelong scar on a child's heart. Thank you for joining us in uncovering these shocking stories of adult negligence. Through Ross and Cynthia's cases, we've seen how indifference can become a sentence even harsher than prison bars, one carried by children in the form of fear, pain, and broken trust. What drives parents to act this way? If you found this video meaningful, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you won't miss more gripping and mysterious cases. See you in the next episode. [Music]