Stop. >> What the >> I don't care, BUT I'M FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHO THE you are. >> He was down the street. >> Oh my god. >> Mama, >> wait. It's okay, bud. >> I know y'all white and I'm black, but listen. I'm >> think I'm a person alone. >> Everyday, some children face challenges that require attention and care. Timely support from authorities can help keep them safe. A home in Illinois became the destination for police officers after being led there by a 4-year-old boy. The boy [Music] on May 12th, 2025, Peacin City officers responded to a report about a child found unattended on the street. The child ran returned to a house that needed attention to ensure safety. Officers quickly arrived to verify the information and take the witness's statement. little tight thing was >> little the little tight scooter. >> Yeah. Trying to get back in. He has a cell phone in his hand. >> Okay. >> But I tried knocking on the door. Door kind of opens up a little bit right here. But he ran back to this house. I don't even know if he belongs here. >> Okay. Is he inside? >> Yeah, he's right here. >> Hey, bud. You doing all right? I'm officer car. >> He doesn't talk. Probably about two. You know, I don't know what to do. >> Do you live here? Hey, bud. You want to come out here so I can just I can help you out. You just trying to get back inside? Do you mind if I go get going, officer? >> Yeah, thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> But yeah, you said you saw you saw him down here by the little tight >> right down here and he's about ready to cross the intersection. I'm like, dude, you're going to get run over. I mean, like on the car. I asked him, I'm like, are you supposed to be out here? You look awful young. And then he got out of little pipes and running all the way up the street and he has like paint on him and >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I don't know what's >> You saw him down there. You asked him if he was okay and then he ran back up here. ran up here, tried to get into the front door. >> Okay. >> But there was open, but he couldn't. I don't know what's going on. >> Okay. >> As officers approached the house, they saw a child, but no adults around. They knocked several times, but no one responded. >> You doing all right, bud? You're all covered in paint, dude. Knuckles, what you doing in there? You got your You got your mom's phone, your mommy here. All right. I'm going to knock on the door. Okay. You doing all right, bud? You got your phone there. >> Beacon Police Department. The child does live at this address. I just talked to a neighbor. They said they'd sleep in. The front door's cracked, but I can't make contact. Oh, you got a gift there, bud. >> You just have the kid. >> Yeah, he's here. But he was out playing around and front doors open. Smell it right now. >> What's your name, buddy? >> How are you? >> What? >> Are you ready for what? >> Oh, no. >> He lives He lives here. >> He lives here. >> Yes. >> Okay. I just talked to the neighbor. He IDed him. >> Oh, you did? >> Pants live here. >> Okay. >> The door's cracked. >> That door's cracked. >> No, this one. >> I might Let's see if we can get with the sergeant. Let's see. >> Yeah, that's what I was going to do. >> Hello. Police department. >> Shortly after, the father was present but had not noticed the child had the house. mind stopping out and talking to me? >> Uh um so you have a child that lives here? >> Uh yes. >> What's his name? Inside? >> Uh yes, >> he is. >> You sure? >> Yeah. Yeah, he's up riding around right now. >> Okay. Well, he's out here. >> He got out. All right. He was He was down the street actually. >> Oh my god. >> The UPS driver stopped stopped and tried to get a hold of him. All right. Hey, he's he's going around to the other door. What the [Music] >> Get him back outside. >> Okay. Yeah, I have no idea at all how that happened. I was in his room picking up a little bit and he was just in the living room running around and I didn't hear any doors open or anything. >> You said your wife's inside? Yeah, she uh has been feeling great recently, so she's just getting some extra sleep. >> You mind if I speak to her as well? How long's she been coming? >> Uh late last night. Like he was asleep when I got home. I I got home from work and I mean he did this while I was at work. My wife's handicapped. She isn't >> really able to get up on her own. >> Said your wife what? >> She's handicapped and she can't really get up on her own like she can and her house was kind of fired out last night. She let me know that she couldn't get up. give him a bath or anything. So, I was gonna give him a bath as soon as I got up. >> You guys got power and water to the house and everything? >> Yeah. Yeah. Hey, hey, how long have you been in that diaper? It looks like I haven't been haven't been able to get uh get him dressed yet or get him changed yet. >> What the officers observed prompted them to conduct a more thorough inspection. Where was he found? Kid down on the street corner. Middle of the intersection kind of. >> He said on he was on Cooper down at the end of the street. Do you have like a little tight mic kind of? >> He does. >> That's where he was in down at the end of the street. >> Yeah. I had no idea honestly because the mud room door is locked twice. It's a lock on the handle as well. Same with this door. But uh I believe this one unlocked because it has like a knife like I unlocked it when I was coming to you guys. But it was uh it has like a child lock handle on it >> cuz he was found out at the end of the street and he ran back came and got into that front that front area >> that little stoop and this front door was open or this side door was open. >> How old is he? >> Uh he'll be four this year. >> Four. Okay. >> If you just want to hang tight for a sec, I'll be right back with you. Okay. Let me talk with yellow if you want. >> Their inspection indicated that certain areas needed improvement to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the children. >> I'm going to get on the phone with DCFS. >> Yeah, cuz I mean there's a horrible >> There's a really bad odor coming from the house, too. Third diaper covered in paint. Dad didn't know he was out. >> Dad said Dad said he's been out for an hour. >> He said he's your guys's only child. You just have a couple other pets inside. He said, "Yeah." >> Okay. Any idea how long he was out of the house? >> Um, >> I mean, the other first officer on scene is knocking on the door for a while. Couldn't get anyone to answer. I assumed you only answered this time cuz I got pretty loud. >> Yeah. In his room, I didn't hear anything. Like, I didn't even hear any doors open. >> So, that's what confuses me the most. >> You have no idea how long little guy was actually outside. Correct. >> Yeah. Like he was Sometimes when he gets like really quiet, then that's when I'm just Yeah. That's when I'm like cuz usually he just runs around from from the kitchen to his room to the living room, whatever and whatnot. So >> you said your wife's inside, man. >> Yeah. >> You good if I go chat with her real quick? Just make sure she's okay. >> Can you just tell me how to get there if you want? If you want to hang out here. >> Like I said, he's made a little bit of a mess. So she's right in here. >> Okay. >> Hey, babe. Babe. All [Music] right, we're good. We can go back outside and wait, man. That's okay. Jay, are you okay? Are you okay? I'm police department. You okay? I'm just making sure you're all right. >> All right. Make sure you're all right. We can go wait back outside, man. There's kittens everywhere in here. Look out, little one of the strings that we brought in recently had kittens. >> Had kittens. >> Yeah, >> I got you. In response, the police notified the Department of Children and Family Services, DCFS, to coordinate further intervention. >> So, I'm sure I'm sure they said our cameras are on, man. So, what's what's happening now with given the nature of the call and everything? Sure, you're kind of aware what's happening. Um, we have a policy to go by. We're contact DCFS regarding the matter. Okay. >> Okay. >> I'll be I'll be completely blunt with you, man. I'm not saying this to be insulting that inside of the house is unsuitable for a child. >> Okay. >> With that being said, we're not how it's going to roll right now. We're going to hang out here. We don't want to cause any more stress or anything to the child or anything like that. >> On a technical level speaking, the child is in our protective custody currently. We're not going to remove you guys from each other. We're just going to hang out there together. Okay. Is that makes sense? You need to explain that further for you. >> Are you taking >> on paper? Right now, the child is in our protective custody. Physically, I'm not removing him from you right now. We're going to hang out here until we hear back from DCFS and they're going to come out and meet. Okay, that's how this is going to go. Um, again, everything I'm doing is in the best welfare of the child. Everything that I've seen in the home. Again, I'm not saying any of this to be insulting or derogatory towards you. It's not right for the child to be living in that place. >> He seems wellfed, and I've told everyone that he seems wellfed. Outside of that, though, he is he's filthy. >> Um, that diaper's been on him, I would assume, for several days by the looks of it. >> He's got a matt matted hair. I mean, I get if you come home tired, man. But >> at the same time, kid needs to be cleaned up before bed or something. >> I mean, like I said, like when >> And we have no idea how long the kid was outside. He could have been outside for hours, correct? If I mean, I know you said you didn't hear him knocking. Said, "My suspicion is that uh you were probably asleep and didn't realize the kid got out and the only reason we got you woken up is cuz I I pretty much threw your door open and yelled pretty uh distinctively trying to get your attention." Okay, hang tight with Officer Carr here for a second. We got to make a phone call. Okay, on board with that? >> Yeah. >> At the same time, authorities gathered additional information, worked with animal control, and documented the scene to ensure a safe living environment for both the child and the pets. >> They got electricity. I turned the foster on. It's got water pump. The house is absolutely disgusting. Um, there's not 13 cats in there. What appears to be there's a molded child chair. A soft sit on chairs. It's literally moving away. Door is I mean body cam all over. >> How's it going, gentlemen? >> Hey Paul, how are you? >> My camera's on. How's it going? >> Going all right. >> I'm Paul with the city of Beacon. Um, I'm with the police department. I'm the code enforcement guy. I have a body camera on. I have to let you know that they're a little concerned about the conditions of the house inside. >> Yeah. Yeah. Been in the process of uh cleaning as well. Okay. So, do you mind if we take a look and see what's going on? >> Sure. >> Now, your owner is from Israel, right? But you have a local person in Poria that is you pay rent and manage. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Yeah. Also, if you want to holler in, just let her know that we're coming in. >> Yeah. Just let her stay out here with officer Young. >> Okay. >> Just notice the flies. >> We're good to come in, right? >> I'll get some pictures. Notice all the flies. What's all over the floor right here? >> Um, baby powdered. He got into our bathroom last handle. I didn't put it back on the door. We have this like handle thing like >> Okay. >> No, not that. >> How old is that baby powder? Is it Johnson Johnson baby powder? >> Um, I do not know what >> Do you know where the thing is for it? >> Uh, no. It's probably stuffed in the garbage. Haven't been able to take this out. The garbage can was already full. We had one of these. >> That's like >> like that's been Oh, like how how long how long has it been there? It's been there since like last night. >> Yeah. But baby powder is is air toxic. >> I mean that that can make you and your wife extremely sick and and almost like in some cases it can cause some really bad damage to your lungs. >> Okay. So >> that's there might be a situation where you guys are going to have to leave the house. All right. Is there some place that your wife could you and your wife could go? >> Um I don't know honestly. Like I mean You know anywhere that >> I just haven't gotten to this part. Like it's been there since uh late last night. >> Can you guys So you got animals, too. How many cats do you have? >> Yeah, we we have uh two that are ours and we have like a stray that we brought in that had kittens. >> How many kittens are here? >> Uh four. >> Okay. >> Several other areas of the home were also given special attention. So, >> I'm going to have these guys get a hold of animal control and come out cuz that that that'll >> Can we take a look what's going on back there? >> What's in here? >> Whose bedroom? >> Can we open that? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Yeah, I've been trying to clean up in here as well. >> Sorry. >> I'm going to get out of his way while you walk. I don't I'm being cautious not to step on an animal here. Yeah. >> Flies. [Music] >> Just getting a picture over on the side of the bed. Okay. What I'm going to need you to do is you're going to have to get a hold of somebody. The carpet is just completely saturated. Just completely saturated. I'm going to need you to get a hold of somebody. You can't be living in here. Can I open this door? >> Yeah. >> Is this the bathroom? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, I was spending some time cleaning up on that last night. Just all over the floor trying to uh clean up the tub. >> After completing the inspection, officials conducted an assessment and developed an appropriate plan of action. >> They turned the faucet on the sink and it did turn on, which I was shocked. >> I'm having Ryan get a hold of Misty. I don't know what she's going to be able to do, but they can't be in this house. We're going to go ahead and make up some signs and get it condemned real quick here. And I'll get a hold of the property owner that and then the property manager and tell them they need to get over here. I hopefully Missy can find a place for them to go. But typically in situations like this, I would give them 48 hours, but it's going to be an immediate thing. Hopefully, what >> could she get out of bed? >> She said she can get up and walk. She just doesn't feel good. >> The father was held legally accountable for the incident. >> All right. So, um, Austin is going to get transferred to the hospital. Okay. So, he is out in our custody. So, he's going to take the hospital, get an evaluation done. Um, he can't ride a bus with him. Okay. Cuz he's going to go to the hospital, get checked out. >> He go to the hospital, try to see him, but he is now in our custody. Okay. Kind of moving forward. Still waiting on a couple things. Um, but he's going to go to the hospital and get checked out. Okay. >> Okay. >> You just continue to sit tight for a little bit. Do you actually mind if I run down there real quick to see if uh I can find my phone that he dropped? >> Your phone's here. >> Oh, it is? >> Yes, it's on It's in the mud room. >> Okay. >> He had it in the mud room. So, I don't know if he dropped it in there, but yeah, the phone is up here. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. >> I don't really care about it. >> All right, Austin. So, as right now, you're going to be under arrest. Okay. You're not going to jail. Don't have to worry about that. But you are getting an NTA. Okay. It's going to have a court date on it. You have to make sure you're at that court date. All right. It's going to be for the life the life and health of a child. Okay. The father was charged with endangering the life of a child. Under Illinois law, he could face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Although the family circumstances may be difficult, every child deserves to live in a safe, clean, and stable environment. Not ensuring children's safety can create serious risks to a child's well-being. Before the incident in Illinois had even settled, police in Missouri were already responding to another case involving children. I know y'all white and I'm black, but listen, I'm a person. You left your kids alone. >> On March 27th, 2022, authorities received a call from a Walmart parking lot after a witness reported that two young children were temporarily unattended in a vehicle. One child had wandered nearby, but was safely assisted by a passerby. Police promptly arrived to ensure the children's well-being and assess the situation. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> You a call? >> Yeah. >> Okay, he's in here. Okay. Uh, >> it's like their favorite driving night. There's another little boy. >> Yeah, that's what they were saying. I got another guy coming. He's going to go inside. So, I guess somebody else brought the other child inside. >> Yeah, the woman that drives this car right here, >> the silver one. Okay. Did you see anybody get out of the car? No. So, you just came out. What did you see? >> No, I was sitting in the car and the little boy, he climbed from the front to the back. From the back to the front and then I guess he maybe opened the door. He did something because the alarm started going off on the car. I guess that made him nervous. So, then he got out. >> So, the one in here got out. >> Mhm. little boy got out and then I was like, "Oh, man." And I stepped out and I was like, "Hey, come back." I've been here for almost 30 minutes. I haven't seen anybody else come out. >> Okay, so it's been it's been a while. >> It's been a long time. >> And little girl, she didn't get out. When her brother got out, she >> just stayed in there. Well, I appreciate you calling her. Hanging around. So, all right. >> Another officer entered the store to work with staff and check on the condition of the remaining child. >> What's up, buddy? >> Able to find out anything or >> No. He um he jumped up and he seen this one lady. Okay. Oh, no kisses. He was wondering in the parking lot. One lady yelled, the other lady grabbed the kid. So, she went over there to get him out of the street. She was taking the lady. She like, "He's not my kid. I just seen him in the road." So, I walked back up there cuz she said that there was a car parked next to her. They had like a six-year-old in the car seat by herself. So, we went out there. The car was parked. >> Oh, the other officer got there with the car. >> Oh, the car out there >> cuz somebody else called also on it >> before he took off and so we was already on the way for that one. So >> somebody from the back bathroom. >> You want to go back out there with your sister? >> You want to go with your sister? You want me to go with you? >> Yeah. Both the kids are in the car. Sorry. >> So we're going to attempt to find out how long. >> Um said she was looking at video. >> Okay. >> Oh. She's in there. >> Oh, she's in there. Tell her where the police car is sitting with the lights on. >> He said where the police car sitting with the lights on. >> Right out the front entrance door or >> right should be one, two, or three. >> There's a white car down there. >> They comforted the children and provided supervision until further support arrived. >> Hey, can I open the door? Oh, can you open the door? Can you open the door? Oh, no. Other one. Try the other one. Do it again. Do it again. >> No. I think CSO's on his way. Look. Press that button. Yep. There you go. You got it. >> You got it. >> Yeah. >> Hey, sweetie. Hey, where's your mom? Here. You want to come out here with me? >> Are you okay? >> Yay. >> How long How long you been out here by yourself, sweetie? >> She's inside. Yeah. >> What's mommy's name? You know mommy's name? >> Yeah. >> What's her name? Here. You want to Here, let's go sit. Let's go sit in my car. >> What? No. >> You don't want to sit in my car? >> I know. We're We're trying to find mommy. We're trying to find her. Where's your Where's your little brother? Did he go inside? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Shortly after, the mother appeared. Does she look familiar? Yes, it's the same woman. >> Is this your Is this your child? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Where where have you been? In the store. >> In the store. How long were you in there for? 57128. I'm out with the female. >> Are y'all gonna take them or something? My husband got killed a year ago. I'm doing the best I can. If y'all gonna take them, >> we're not gonna take your kids. Here's the thing. >> I'm at my uh I'm at I'm at my wits. I I can't >> We're not going to take your kids. I get your >> I've been trying to get mom and now the police got my kids. I guess they had woke up up in the car. >> You go mommy. >> I'm at Oen at Walmart. Told them if we going to take them, take them. I'm tired. They daddy got killed last year. I'm doing the best I can. >> Are you destiny? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Can you >> not inside looking for her? >> Yeah. I heard >> girl. I'm at Walmart. My grandma waiting on me, so I don't know. >> Me up in the um So what's going to happen? >> Well, so what? I'm just showing up honestly. But uh do you have any other kids with you? >> I have a son. >> He's inside with some other walked in traffic. >> He walked in traffic. During the investigation, the mother spoke about the challenges of being a single parent and agreed to cooperate with authorities. >> How long have you been in here? >> She said like 30 minutes. How long have you been inside for? >> Probably 10 minutes. >> Is there somebody else inside with you? >> No. >> Okay. So, you're by yourself. So, we had some other lady say that you saw nobody in the car for like 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes. Okay. >> Okay. Where's your other child at? >> I I guess he up in there. >> Well, we need to go get him. >> Yeah. Well, Brad's with them. Brad's with them. Here's the deal. Who else takes care of your kids? Just you? >> Okay. I I was I was married. All it all of it me and him. He was murdered. >> It's just me. Just you. >> It's just me. Nobody else. I called my mom, her nobody will help me. So that's why I said if y'all going to take them, I got to go. My grandma is sick. She's actually in the middle of um what's it called? When you got camping, you doing all this and that. I got to go pick Yeah, I got to pick her up. Hold on. >> I'm tired. I'm exhausted. >> I know. Well, the faster we we faster we do this, the faster you're going to get go. Okay. >> I'm tired. I'm exhausted. Taking me to a hospital. That's what my name is. I'm tired. >> I know it's not y'all fault. It's my fault. Just take me to jail. I don't want to do this. >> And who said we're going to take you to jail? >> I'm tired. I don't want to do this. I'm trying my best. >> We get that. >> Where you free? >> I'm trying to call my mom the address. >> I don't know everything for sure. I just got here. Just take home. I don't care. I'm trying. >> I I've been trying to I'm trying to do the best that I can. Like >> Can you take a seat for me? >> Why do we got to talk in public? Listen to me. If you just let your kids in the car and the duck got hit there. Okay. If it wasn't for these kind citizens who witness this whole thing and then help corral your kids and then get us involved. Who knows where your son would be? Cuz you don't know where your son is right now. >> I do know where he >> You have no idea. >> Be right there. >> Listen. Sit. Sit. Sit down. >> I really want my mom to answer. She's not answering the phone. >> Can you get a hold of mom? >> I'm trying. >> Keep trying. >> The investigation continued as officers worked to identify someone who could temporarily care for the children. Since he's got a attachment to you, >> we'll walk out there together. >> Walk out to the car with him or go to at least just sit and help LP. And >> where's Nana? >> Where's Nana? >> Nana. She said no. >> What's mom saying? >> Hey, so you know how I was just begging you to help me with the kids? We at Walmart in the parking lot with the police. So I'm like I was telling him I'm tired. Tell her to come. I'm tired and now they want you to come up here. But I'm tired. I'm tired. I left the kids up in the corner tried to run up in Walmart to get a toilet plunger and that's why I was begging you for help. Like I'm when I say I need help, I need help >> and I had think Okay, so you don't give a basically. >> No, no, no. Let me let me talk to your mom. Can you call your mom back? >> Door unlocked or have him set there. Go ahead and put him in the car that way your arms. Come on, baby. Come here. Hi, daddy. >> I missed you. Was you looking for me? >> Did you wake up? >> She's saying she got nobody else to help her. >> She came up to customer service while standing there with the child. Finished her transaction up there and then left knowing we were right there with her child. >> Who else do you have to come take the case? >> Well, Bobby, it's just me that daddy got It was just me and him. Nobody. >> Who's Who's this number? >> I don't know. Why is that number? >> I don't know. Ask act ask. >> The situation became more challenging when the mother was upset as officers contacted her relatives. >> Hello. >> Can you stop calling my phone, please? >> Is it? >> No, I don't know him. Don't tell him. >> Stop. I'm trying to find somebody to come. >> Okay, hang up. Give me >> You're about that close right now to go in jail. >> Give me my phone. >> You're about that close to going. Then we'll call DCFS and turn them over to them. >> Well, I don't know who that person is. >> That's the other option. >> Okay. But I don't know who that person is. Give no random guy calling my phone my business. I don't know who that is. >> Calling your phone. So >> yeah. >> Okay. So try to get a hold of somebody. Come up here. >> Okay. >> Otherwise you're going to jail. >> Okay. You still might. >> Depends if you want somebody to come pick up the kids or you want your >> best. Let me check that real quick. I know y'all white and I'm black, but listen. I'M A PERSON. >> You left your kids alone. >> I have feelings. >> And one is running around out here in traffic. Can you please try to reach my mom? Do >> you have anyone else you wanted me to call other than your mom? >> That's the only person out there. Dad was dead. I don't have no >> uncle. >> That's rubber. Why are you in my That don't have nothing to do with nothing. >> I'm making sure it wasn't what it looked like. >> A bag of rubber. What it look like? Call my mama. >> Yeah. Call my uh call my grandma. Let me see. >> Y'all making me uncomfortable. Call somebody else over here besides y'all. Call a Walmart worker. Call a random person because I feel uncomfortable. That's all I want. >> Who's Denisha? >> My friend call her you take the phone. I gave you an opportunity and you obviously couldn't call anybody. >> During that time, officers remained focused on calming the children and ensuring a safe solution. >> Here's the thing. We're trying to work with you. Have I been nothing but nice to you this entire time? You have. >> Okay. I'm trying to sympathize with you. >> Hey, this is also a trail found police department. I'm on desk phone. What's your relationship today? >> That's my cousin. >> It's your cousin. So, basically, here's what we've got. We had a situation in which she's being investigated for injuring the health and life of a child here. So, basically, she's going to be taken into custody, but we have her two kids and we're trying to get her two kids into good hands and we're trying to figure out She's kind of being uncooperative. We're trying to figure out a family member that we could get the kids with so we don't have to give them to DCFS. What's that? >> Have you watched your kids before? That's all I got. >> That's all I got. >> Where? Where are you coming from? >> Can you come to Old Fallon, Illinois, Walmart and leave right now? >> Like I can't like they daddy already gone. This all I got left. So if y'all going to take them, I will go. Hold on. >> That's not what we trying to do. >> Like I will blow my [ __ ] off in front of everybody. That's all I got left. That's it. >> Here's the thing. >> That's all I got. >> That's all I got left. >> I understand that. Okay. I'm >> Stop. No, I'm not. >> Don't do that. Stop. >> STOP. >> STOP. >> STOP. LET ME GO. >> You're under arrest. You're under arrest. >> Let me go. >> You're under arrest. >> Call my mama. >> You're under arrest. >> I'll call my mom. My baby. Stop. Please. >> You're under arrest. Quit resisting. Stop resisting. >> Okay. Let me get up. Let me get in the CAR AND STOP. STOP. STOP. >> STOP. MY KIDS. >> I didn't do >> stop. >> Let me go. I didn't do anything. My kids is in here. THE SHIT'S RECORDING ME. Y'ALL IS DOING THE MOST FOR NOTHING. >> To prevent the situation from escalating, authorities prioritize protecting the children's emotional well-being. >> Hey, come here, buddy. >> It's okay, dude. It's okay. Hey, it's okay. You're all right, bud. Okay. You're okay. >> Hurry up. Let me in the damn car. Y'all embarrassing. >> YOU ARE. >> YOU ARE. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME? CUZ you racist. >> You're the one. >> NO. YOU RACIST. WHY ARE YOU DOING ME? What's your name? >> PUT YOUR FOOT IN THE CAR. >> OKAY. >> PUT YOUR FOOT IN the car. >> Hold on. Wait. >> You've gone beyond that. >> YOU'VE GONE BEYOND THAT. >> I DON'T have a criminal record. Listen. Listen. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Can you CALL THE UM CALL MY MAMA? I'M GOING >> PUT YOUR FOOT in the car. >> Call my mama. Please. I'M NOT A CRIMINAL AND Y'ALL TREAT ME. >> YOU'RE UNDER ARREST. NO, not let me out. He got in front of us and you doing me like this. >> Put your foot in the car. >> Call my mama. >> Put your foot. >> Can you help me? >> I will help you. YOU PUT YOUR FOOT IN THE CAR. >> WHAT'S YOUR TREATING ME LIKE? >> MY MAMA. >> WAIT. It's okay, bud. It's all right. >> It's okay. >> Come here. >> What is your passcode? >> What is your passcode? >> This is serious if I'm under risk cuz listen. What is your passcode? I'm trying to help you. >> Y'all doing all this. My kids don't have nobody else. My kids don't have Please, I will act right. Look, I'm just under stress. I don't have nobody else. >> What is your What is your passcode? I want to try. >> OH MY GOD. MY NOT ELSA. She the eler. Hold on. TAKE ME OUT THIS CAR FOR real cuz I can't. I'M NOT A CRIMINAL. I'M GOING TO GO TO A POLICE ACADEMY. I CANNOT STOP. I'm not a criminal. Let me out of this. I don't know it. It's my face >> here. Look at this. What is it? >> Y'ALL LET ME OUT. GIVE ME MY BABIES. GIVE ME MY KIDS, PLEASE. >> YOU WON'T let me call. >> Can you let me out? That man is racist. >> If you let me out, all I did was get down and he instantly came and grabbed me. >> When relatives arrived to take over the children's care, the mother was escorted for administrative procedures. >> So, she is sitting here saying, "I'm going to blow myself up if you take my kids. I'm I'm going to myself." And then starts walking to the back of her car like she's going to go grab something in the trunk. So that's why I started putting her in cuffs. >> Can you let me >> Will you Can you Can you work with me for one second? Work with me. >> I can't My kids don't have nobody else. Listen, my mama ain't going to do right. She won't act. Let me hold it. I'm telling you, IT'S ALL IN THE TOUCH. I DON'T KNOW THE PASSCODE, SIR. It's only taking the passcode. >> It's six digits. Thank you. >> Call my Hey, what they going to do with my kids? >> Hello, >> mama. >> Hey, this is this is officer with your town police department. >> We're out here with your daughter, Dad. Are you are you heading Are you heading here right now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. How far out are you? Thank you. >> You're going to catch another charge if you break that window. >> Don't open that door. >> It don't matter. >> I'll get her out of here. >> You going to get another charge? I know. But calm down. You making it bad on yourself. >> All right. >> And I'll be okay. >> Sounds good. Maybe bring your cell phone. Tell me your mom. >> All right. >> Okay. You wrong for that. You would say your mom was coming to get your kid. You don't do a woman like that. >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> That's all you had to do. That's crazy. >> I know obviously out there everything's chaotic. You're stressing and everything like that. I want to let you know your kids are being released to your mother. And at this time, Officer Bard's handling this. I'm not sure as far as your charges. No, that's the the younger guy. And at this point, I don't know what your charges are. They I believe probably at this point you're going to have uh resisting arrest and hang on hang on hang on. You're going to have injuring the life health and life of a child and resisting arrest. Both of those are misdemeanor. Listen, both of those are misdemeanors which means you won't which means you shouldn't have to be held. >> Never resisted. Nobody said you're under arrest. He told me calm down and I said no. >> They're not the only single parent that I don't care if it's 2 minutes you take your children with you. Sick. >> Finally, the officers returned to the store to determine the exact amount of time the children had been unsupervised. >> What's up? >> She pulled up at 4:31. She walked out of the store at 4:35. >> Yeah. I can't believe she was that close to a kid without even knowing. >> You know, everyone knows you if there's a cop right there. Like, you're going to look and be like, "Oh, >> grandma's on the way." Okay. Hello. >> Hey, how are you? >> All right, cousin. Okay. Is her mama on the way or? >> I'm trying to see where her phone is. Whose phone? >> She gone already? >> Yes, she's gone. The phone's right there. Grandma said she was about 10 minutes out. >> Okay. >> She shows up here shortly. >> Okay. >> Least the children to her and >> Oh, okay. You okay? Come here. You okay? >> All right. Just remember, cooperate with us. Get your get your your handcuffs off, get your hair back on, and then this will this will honestly go really easy. And I don't think you'll honestly be here that long. All right. Now, >> you got your hair. >> Y'all some good hair. >> They really jumped on me. Three of them jumped on me because I didn't want to sit there. >> The mother was charged with child and resisting an officer. Under Missouri law, she could face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. The pressure of raising children alone can sometimes lead to poor decisions, but it does not exempt anyone from legal responsibility. Even a brief moment of a child unattended can pose serious risks to their safety and well-being. Florida is also featured in today's footage showing a case where authorities responded to a mother who needed assistance while caring for her young child. >> Why am I being like a real criminal? Why is this happening? >> On January 31st, 2024, West Palm Beach police responded to a situation involving a mother who appeared to need support while caring for her child. When officers approached, the mother was reluctant to cooperate, making communication more challenging. >> Everything fine? >> Yeah. >> Obviously trying to >> again someone called 911. They were concerned about baby. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, I'll go. Ridiculous. I was just with my girlfriend. >> Okay. Amazing. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> You said your girlfriend lives here >> so much. Yeah. >> Ma'am. Ma'am, come here for a second. Come here. >> What do you need? >> Okay. Are you staying here at the hotel? >> No. What room is your girlfriend in? >> I don't need to answer that. >> Ma'am, come in for a second. Stop. You got a baby. >> You don't need to. >> Stop and relax. >> I don't trust you. I don't know you. >> Hello, ma'am. >> Stop. Just relax. >> Freaking me out. >> No, no, no. Relax. >> By what the ever is going on? You're freaking me out. >> By what? We got called by a a fast. >> You're not in trouble. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. Okay. >> I literally just showed. Call my husband right now. I don't trust you. I don't know you. I live across the street. >> She almost grabbed the baby. You're under acting normal. >> What is happening? I FEEL REALLY I'M ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I don't know why you're here. >> I'm the supervisor. I'm the supervisor. >> Who you are? >> I'm the supervisor. Let me just talk to you for a second. Okay. >> Who the are these people? >> They are the police. >> The mother became visibly stressed during the interaction which complicated communication. >> You know this lady is she's staying in your hotel. You can let go of my shoulder right now. Show me a warrant or you not >> What's going to happen is you're going to get your butt going to jail. >> What is happening? >> Give us your name and let us call your husband so we can get you. You're not in trouble. You're obviously intoxicated. That's the alcohol cover. But this is not against the law to have a drink. But the way you're acting, we freaked out by all of you and I was as a young woman and I just dealt with that. And I don't trust any of you for a goddamn second. Get away. Get out of my face. Listen to me. Get out of my face. >> You're going to go to jail. >> I'm not going to jail and hold black. I don't even know what your husband is called and find out what's going on. >> I don't know what's going on. I'm officer. >> I just want to go home. I don't know what I did. >> Yes. I don't know what is going to call baby crawling on the sidewalk tourist traffic. She's running around acting. She said that her girlfriend lives here. She's staying here. She changed her mind and said she doesn't live here. Just take a quick photo of her in just asking me. >> I don't trust any of you and I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AND I DON'T know what I did wrong. Matthew. >> Why are you guys all surrounding me? >> What's your name, ma'am? >> No, I don't trust any of you. >> What's your name? Just Just give us go to voicemail, man. >> Call him again. >> I don't trust I don't know who the any of you are. >> Can we verify the phone number? >> I don't care, BUT I'M FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHO THE you are and I don't know what I did. I don't trust you. I just wanted to go home to my husband. >> Do you drive here, ma'am? >> I just had my husband parked here. My car is in here. I am just trying to go home. >> Tell me what you drive. >> Really? What do you need? >> Tell me what you need for my husband to go home. We're trying to help you with that. Trying to help you with that. >> So, what do you drive? >> Call him, please. I don't trust anybody but him. >> Sorry. I'm sorry. But like he's not around. Just call him. I don't need to deal with anybody. I'm scared. Okay. I'm sorry. I've been in a hospital for the last two months. I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO ANY of you. Please go away. Yes. >> I don't want to talk to any of you. No, you have nothing to do with me at all. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE HERE AND I'M freaked out. >> I don't need you to explain it to me. >> When attempts to contact her relatives were unsuccessful, the mother was taken into custody for further procedures. >> Security and the manager said they don't know who she is. Is >> there anyone else that we can call? >> Call him again. Call him again. Call him over and over. >> Who's Alexander? >> It's me. Are you kidding? >> I don't know. >> What am I doing? That's illegal. >> Nothing. >> All right. Bye. >> You sir, you going to jail? I'm telling you right now. Why am I going to jail? What the is happening? PLEASE CALL THE POLICE on my behalf. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. NO, SIR. >> PLEASE, PLEASE, SIR. SIR, I'm not doing anything. I'm not doing anything. I'm not resisting. It's okay. I'm not doing No, you're not. You don't have any right to me. You have no legal right to detain me. >> Going to cooperate with us again. >> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO COOPERATE WITH YOU. >> Somebody's number we can call that we can find out what's going on. >> If I fix my husband, I'm not doing anything. >> Anybody else besides your husband? We can call >> my different number. >> Please, >> do you remember when you poked at him? >> That's my husband's directing phone number. I don't know why I'm being arrested. >> Do you remember when you poked at? Why am I being detained? Why am I being detained? I'll explain to you. >> No, I need you to tell me right now. >> We are in worried about You are not in the right state of mind right now. So, we're trying to get to the bottom. You can give her somebody to call and we can work it out. >> Matthew, welcome. What's his birthday? >> Later, once she had calmed down, police collected information and carried out standard procedures to ensure the safety of both the mother and the child. >> What's your name, man? My name is Alexander Hall. Um, I not have any pending arrest or anything. >> Alexandria Hall, what's your date of birth? >> Who's asking? >> I am. >> Who's my arrest? >> I'm not trying to arrest you. >> And I'm not trying to arrest you. I'm not trying to arrest you. I'm just trying to get you some help. So, what is your date of birth? Please, Alex, Dandra, can you give it? >> He's not trying to help me. >> It's still 386, but he ain't trying to help me. >> 3086. >> They're not trying to help me. >> Do you have a parent, sister? >> Yes, I have a huge family that lives with me. I don't >> What do they say? >> They all live in the same neighborhood right here. His father is right here. >> What's your father? His father, everyone was like, >> "You have a cell phone?" >> Yes. >> Where is your cell phone? Are you kidding me? Sir, like clearly detained. I cannot get my cell phone. >> Where is it? >> I don't know. It's in my belonging. If you have a a cell phone, I'm gladly going to give you the number to call for his father. 561. I don't understand why I'm being arrested at all. I have plenty of money to pay for my stay here. I don't know why you're detaining me whatsoever. >> Attitude right now is >> Oh, that's not illegal, sir. Thank you so much. >> The state of mind you're in is illegal. Not at all with the kids. >> No, thank you. >> We are worried about the kids. >> Wonderful. Glad you're worried about the kids. Okay. >> Obviously, you had too much today. >> I have not been out, sir. Thank you so much. >> I I I refuse to believe that. >> Where's my husband? >> I'm trying to call him. No one's answering. Every number you gave me so far has been >> Oh, what? The one number I gave you, 561. Can I please have my phone or any phone and message him and let me know what is going on? I guarantee you this is not on his list. What are you arresting me for? She delights. >> Is there anybody else? >> No. What are you arresting me for? My mother. What are you arresting me for? >> So, this is what's going to happen. Obviously, you're not in the right state of mind. If you don't give us someone to call, you're going to end up calling the Department of Children and Family Services. >> I want to tell you, Cor, that's my mother. There's nothing. >> I don't even know what I'm detained for. What am I detained for? You have my ID. You have my son. What am I detained for? >> What the am I detained for? Like, hold my son. You don't have any right to hold either of us. >> You're going to go to jail and your skin is going to go to department. We are trying to help you. >> Know what's happening, >> but I've never been in trouble. I want to know. >> We're not trying to let you be in trouble either right now. >> I just kind of want to know what the is. >> At this stage, the mother had not fully understood the steps being taken for safety and legal compliance. >> What's this? >> A my wallet. Why am I being like straight detained on the fact that I have already but like I've never been in trouble. So like why am I being detained like a real criminal? Why is this happening? Why is this happening? >> Why? I want to know why this is happening. Anybody document this? Why is this happening? >> We have body cameras. >> Okay. Document everything. >> Why is this happening? >> Because you are not in the right frame of mind and we are my mom. >> What's your mom's number? >> 561. Let's go. 5 61 I did that was illegal. What did I do? >> You are obviously intoxicated. This kid is out in the cold. Look what he has on. >> Okay. >> Okay. This is the start now. All we're trying to do is help. If you can give us someone that we can contact with a good number that's going to come down here and explain what's going on. >> I guess nobody gives Nobody's coming. If they obviously haven't picked the phone, I guess we have to go. I don't know what to say to you. >> So, you want to go to jail? No, I don't want to go to jail. Why? I'm being detained. >> All right, you want to go to jail? >> I don't want to go to jail. I don't know what the is happening. >> There was a number TO >> I'VE ALREADY SAID A COUPLE numbers to call. >> They're not answering. Anybody else can call >> 601? >> While officers worked to maintain safety, she continued to be uncooperative due to uncertainty and lack of trust. >> I don't know. I don't have my life. >> Ma'am, do you know their address? >> Yes, they all live right here on this street. >> What's the address? >> I don't know. What to do? I can't get anywhere. >> It's not It's not like It's It's the >> Yeah, the >> Is there an apartment or >> It's a townhouse. >> Where you going? >> Yeah, we got It's the town houses in the neighborhood. What the do you want to do? I'm not trying to fight you guys. I don't know what to do. >> Stand up, man. One, two, three. >> Can we uh You want to sit down for now? You want >> Yeah. You want to pull up or Yeah. Smell it. Alexander Alexander doing the shock therapy right now. I'm not well anyway. >> Why are you in shock therapy? >> Because of the that you guys are arresting me for. I'm not well. I don't know why you think this is helpful. I just went I literally just went my husband to come get me and you guys are arresting me in front of my filga. I don't know what to say to you. >> Okay. I just don't >> uh I need to check those. Make sure they double up. >> Please call me. I haven't [Music] know what I'm doing. What am I doing? >> Step on the stool. I'm going to take you over there to your husband. >> No, you're not. >> Is he home? >> You're taking me. >> Is he home? We're just going to help you. >> Don't scare me. >> We're just going to help you. Okay. >> Can I help you push the seat belt on? >> No. I don't trust you. >> No. Don't Don't do it. We're not going anywhere yet. We just want to sit her down. We already got units going over to the house to see what's going on. >> At a different location, police successfully contacted the father. So, we get here talk to her and she she happened other than just we just detain her and you know just just try to just leave the whole situation just we were trying to obviously the baby was with her but she said she's a little intoxicated. So, he wanted to make sure everyone was okay. My son, my But bottom line, my son is okay. >> Son's okay. Wife's okay. You can tell I'm with Officer 4. I'll explain everything. >> Okay. I'm here with officer right now. >> Okay, perfect. Yeah, maybe you can come over here just so we can figure everything else out. Okay. >> Yes, sir. Thank you very much. I kind of figured because I've been trying to get a hold of her for three hours now. I got a hold of her probably 30 minutes ago and she said she was on her way home and I asked her, I said, "Are you intoxicated?" She started laughing and joking and saying, "No, I'm not drunk." Same time. >> Gotcha. Don't around with my child. I'm sorry. I love that woman, >> but that's my child. >> No, >> completely understand my dad and myself. >> What you need to do with her, she needs to learn her lesson. >> She She's okay. She's more than welcome to go with you, but we just want to make sure the child at the end of the day is okay. Do you need a ride over there? Do you want to drive over there? >> I can drive my truck. >> Okay. >> The child was then handed over to the father, and the challenges the mother was facing were also clarified. >> They were supposed to be playing with the kids. I've been trying to get in contact with her since 4:00. I can show you my phone records, text messages which I sent to her trying to figure out dinner for him. Please let me know what's going on for for him so he can eat. I need to know. Last text message I sent her. Hey, give me my son back. That way he can eat dinner. You can go do what you want to do. >> We do together. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. She has an issue with She has an issue with alcohol. Catboy very recognizable when she's on alcohol. The last conversation I had with her was probably 40 minutes ago. And I asked her, I said, "Hey, have you been drinking? If so, stay where you're at. I will come," which is my son. Obviously, she's a victim right now, which she's not. >> His date of birth. >> So, they told you it was all all gone. >> I can imagine. I can imagine she was wandering around trying to find her car or whatever it was. Or >> someone called because the baby was crawling in the middle of >> without her. That's the call we got. >> Can I get that in writing, please? >> It's on camera. So, We we got to we Yeah, it's got to be documented because obviously there's children involved, stuff like that. So, you know, we had a concerned person that came over hysterical because she said she saw your girlfriend, wife, whatever she is carrying the baby like she said like a rag doll is how she described it. So, she tried to stop and be like, you know, do you need assistance? Do you need help? Blah, whatever. She followed the she tried to go through her garage and then saw the baby out here on Olive by by himself. So, that's the call we got. >> We appreciate you coming. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Am I able to take him on to sleep? >> Unfortunately, I don't have a car seat in in my truck for him. >> Car seats in in her car. >> I know she was here, too. >> You know the friend that she was supposed to be with? >> Liliana. That's all I know her name. I don't know her telephone number. I just met not too long ago. >> Okay. >> The mother was charged with lack of a dependent. Under Florida law, the penalty can be up to 5 years in prison or probation along with a maximum fine of $5,000. This case serves as a reminder that adults should always have a clear plan and reliable support to ensure that children remain safe in any situation. Today, we witness the journey of children emerging from the shadows. From a home with unsafe living conditions in Illinois to a Walmart parking lot in Missouri and a busy street in Florida, every action by adults and authorities contributes to keeping children safe. And every timely action by the police helps protect young lives. If you found this video helpful, please like, share, and subscribe to stay with us for more stories. See you next time. [Music]