Inside homes that seem peaceful, children still face unseen struggles. Your little one here Mhm. had on her left hand. My kids are scared. My kids called the police CUZ THEY'RE SCARED. STOP. OW. OW. OW. OW. >> STOP. He just like He got up. I don't know what he was doing. Do my mom like Stop putting YOUR HAND ON MY PANTS. HE KICKED ME OUT. HE BROKE all the stuff in my house. Oh, okay. Let me ask you a question. All right. The incidents in New Mexico and Illinois reveal troubling behaviors, where every step and every closed door carries hidden risks. And the truth behind them leaves us with much to reflect on. It began in New Mexico, where a 14-month-old child suddenly faced difficult circumstances at home, as the mother's decisions brought significant consequences for the entire family. So, Angel lives with the grandma. Oh, no. And she failed to tell us that. Oh, no. Angel's suffering from schizophrenia. Oh, no. On April 28th, 2024, Santa Fe police got a call from a hospital about concerning behavior by a mother and her boyfriend involving a 14-month-old child. Officers quickly arrived to gather information from staff. Hello. Hello. Oh. So, what's what's the deal with 2314? Um like so What What Where's the room, first of all? Okay. They can't hear you? Okay. So, what's going on? So, we have baby. Baby's medically cleared by the holding. So, she was acting like the baby had something to do with them involved because mom came in. I had the patient like 3 days ago. She was like very impaired. She was nodding off and asleep. Um so, that's why we put a tele sitter in there, so there's a camera in there. Tonight, I guess she brought this guy. I don't know if it's dad or not. We're going to know it's dad in a couple of days. So, this baby So, I'm not sure if that's dad. Um when we got here, they were both here. Um but then she left at some point. The tele sitter called police in our charge saying that like looked like they were sleeping in their position. But they have a bunch of like stuff like bags on the bed, so we could clean that off so they can have a good visual. So, while he was cleaning off the bags and she was asking like just keep it clean, I was like getting the baby and putting her on the bed. laying down and she had I think he put aluminum foil on her head. And then like a little cap on the other side. So, I just like grabbed it just in case he needed anything with me. And then I showed her and then she called them, but They're very like they just a lot not a lot. They don't have a tele sitter in here yet because baby's like They refuse a crib for them to currently sleep on the bed and they refuse it. And it's just not So, do you think there's drugs in there? Yes. Did you Did the baby have like any contact with him? Um she was holding the foil. I don't know. Did the foil What does the What does the foil look like? Which hand was the baby holding it? Um her left. Hold on. I don't know. We just went in there. I don't know how long she had it. Like I said, they had a bunch of bags on there and stuff. So, we don't know how long it was happening. Yep. There's a blue in there. Okay. Do you guys know what mom's name is? Maddybell. Huh? Maddybell. Yeah. >> Maddybell? Called some name of the desk or something. Gonzalez? Is the baby medically cleared? It's just the 56. The um workers here in the pediatric unit, they're holding the baby just because of the fetanyl that was found inside the room that the baby was holding. And the mom is I haven't talked to her yet, but she's impaired, so. And then the gentleman that she was with, she just left. He was impaired as well. The baby's hold? >> 14 months. >> 14 months? Okay. And what was the reason why the baby came in? Um Respiratory infection? Yes. Bronchiolitis? Yes. The investigation continued as police entered the hospital and informed the mother about securing a small item of concern that had been discovered. Hello. How you doing? Officer Childress, Santa Fe PD. Can you guys turn the lights on for us? How you doing, ma'am? Good. What's your name and do you have your driver's license with you? No, I do not. Why not? Oh, you remember me? I know you. How are you doing? Good. How are you? Well, remind me where I know you from. The Walmart? It was. The Walmart? Yes. You had Remember? Oh, yeah. >> No. You You swallowed your fetanyl on me. Remember? Mhm. I need your name and your date of birth, okay? Don't conceal on me cuz I can find that case number from this Yeah, I know. Okay? Um So, what do we do with that? I called the courts today cuz you know how it's surrender day? Mhm. And I let them know I was here with the baby. Okay. So, um they told me to take in a um like doctor's note or proof that I was here with the baby. Okay. So, you know that. So, what's your name? >> Maddybell. Who was the male that was in here with you? Johnny Gonzalez. Juan what? Gonzalez. So, do you know the reason why I'm here? No. Do you want to guess why I'm here? Fentanyl. Okay. I'm going to read you your rights before I make this make a before I do something, okay? Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you? Having these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to law enforcement? I mean yeah, I'm not denying. Okay. We got a call, okay, that your little one here Mhm. had on her left hand. That's >> What? She had it When? Who is this? Today. >> Where? Here. Was that here? No. The male that you were with that's been here with her, okay? >> That's her dad. That's her dad? He was here the whole time and there was fetanyl in here. What the [ __ ] I'll tell you where he's at right now. You guys can go and [ __ ] arrest him. He's not supposed to have it and we're supposed to be getting clean. And So, that's why we're That's why I'm here, okay? She She had it She >> it away? Yeah, I have it. Okay. How Like how much was it or what? >> There was a pill in it. >> Huh? There was a pill in it. It's burnt. >> Wait, what do you mean like a pill in there? It's the aluminum foil was in a square, okay? And it was burnt. And there was a 30-stamp inside the aluminum foil. Like somebody >> And she had it. >> She had it in her hand. So, I'm That's why I'm here. She spoke about her personal struggles and the strained relationship with the child's father. Can we test her? Make sure it's not in her system. I mean, that's going to be between the staff here. They're the ones that are They're the ones that are making sure that she's safe. And right now Oh my god. Okay. Do you mind if I see her real quick? Yeah, please. >> How are you, sweetie? You doing okay? I don't see anything. He's okay. Who's that? Say hi. I know your mama. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. Look at her. Look at her now. Clap your hands, mommy. Okay. So, that is That is her dad? Mhm. So, He He Me and him were going to argue when I got back. What? Huh? Cuz I had went to um Well, where were we staying? And then like You know how they were arguing, right? And like I actually just texted him now. I told him we're done. Like you're leaving like this. Like he doesn't help me with the baby and nothing like that. Like I do everything by myself with the baby and he doesn't help me at all and it's kind of [ __ ] up. This is like the first night Well, the second night they came and stayed, but like I had to force him to do it. And he left just now. So, I was like no, we're done. Like I can't do this with you going in and out of her life, dude. Like I don't want this and I thought he was getting high. I knew he was getting high still. So, I was like oh, I can't have this. Like she has to be going with my house on Monday, dude. And like I I can't lose my kids. I'm not going to lose my kids. Like I love them so much with all So, and he [ __ ] got up and he [ __ ] left and he told me that Taz and Chris were outside. They have warrants, too, and all that. And Taz and Chris were outside. I was like okay, well, bye. Like go with him then. Go with them then. Like I'm staying here with the baby. He's like oh, well, just tell them that you need to go take me to work and then I was like no, I'm not going to tell them that, dude. Like I'm not going to go with you. I'm like not going to leave her here. Like no, dude. Like no. The conversation also revealed tensions between hospital staff and the mother over the baby's care and safety. When was the last time her diaper was changed? >> changed it. There's a dirty diaper right there. Yeah, I just changed it. >> So, is there a reason why you didn't let the hospital staff attend to her? When? Just whenever. Cuz they can take care of her. Like they can change her diaper. Oh, there's not a reason that I didn't let them change her diaper. When was this? Like when were you guys talking about Philly had offered to put a sitter in here. Like the sitter one in the blue scrubs. You didn't want her in here. Yeah, when I didn't want the sitter in here is because that's the first time when he was going to stay in here and we were fighting. I just thought it was like kind of weird. Like not weird, but like we were fighting and I didn't I didn't want someone [ __ ] that I don't You know, just sitting right here hearing everything. >> Like I was fine with them coming in and out and stuff and like But the thing is is you got to understand it's not for you guys, it's for your daughter. That's what the sitter was for. >> At that time, I didn't think that he I really thought he was trying to work things out with me. Okay. That's why and we were talking and that night we were talking everything out. >> You got to understand this is a very big thing right here right now. >> No, I know it is. That's why I'm I'm I'm >> is involving your little one. >> Did she have it in her mouth? I don't know. We can pull the camera that's in here. >> I want to know where I am. >> if it was in her mouth at any point in time. I want to know. Why it was in Well, well, like I said, I didn't think he had it. We're supposed to be getting clean. I took my suboxone this morning and there's not a suboxone in it. Mhm. He might be actually coming back up if they let him. They're not going to let him up here. I didn't allow him to come in. Did he try? I mean, they're not going to let him up here. I'm so mad. I'm so sad. I'm so I'm so hurt. What were you saying? I'm sorry. My My face is burning right now. Why is it different now all of a sudden? Yeah. Well, all I could think of is Well, but I know. It's like I just You know there's a [ __ ] camera in here, right? The The entire time? And that camera could show you guys everything. I had nothing to do with this. I wasn't near it. I didn't know anything about it. If you guys watch that camera, you guys will see that. So, what about What about What about that I hear that the baby almost falling off of the bed? When was this? How many times has the staff told you guys that she's about to fall off the bed? >> They haven't told me. You were there. You didn't tell me anything. They offered you the crib for baby to sleep on cuz you were passed out and you didn't want her to go in the crib. No, I said it was No, it's okay. She was fine with me. >> But you were passed out half of the time. What do you mean half of the time? It's night time. Of course me and my daughter were sleeping. She was sleeping with me last night. >> She was awake in the morning. She was awake right here and you were sleeping right here in the morning. Well, if I asked for the crib, she would have stayed in the crib, right? She would have cried the whole time. No, she wanted to be with me. But she hasn't tried almost falling off and stuff. And I was tired the other night. And I did sleep at night time, not during the day or anything. I did not nodding off or anything. There's like you said there's a camera. Let's watch it. The child was admitted with pneumonia, but the process uncovered issues involving the mother grandmother relationship and the impact of substance use during and after pregnancy. And also why why was she brought in today? I mean on the 24th. >> the on the what? 24th. She came in because um they told me it was bronchiolitis. Well, how did she get bronchiolitis? How did she get it? >> My son goes to daycare. Well, this is what I think how she got it. My son goes to daycare and he has like a cough for like a whole month or two I don't know how she got it they didn't tell me how she got it, but that's my theory of it, but mhm. And then also because um my what they were telling me is that I had to sign over my daughter to my grandma um power of attorney for like the first 6 months of the year whatever so I did that whenever she was born. My grandma is supposed I don't know what they say my grandma is saying something else. I asked my grandma about it. The first 6 months I guess after 4 months that she didn't go to get vaccinated or something like that they said and I asked my grandma about it. My grandma said [ __ ] Did she call about it? So [ __ ] And I said to her they didn't get the the documents from La Familia and they need to get them from her and and this and that, but I the last time I remember my grandma taking her was probably when she was like 6 months Do you want to know probably know why? Why? Well, your daughter was born with in her system. Okay? I know. You OD'd in January of 2024 with fentanyl you were brought here. Me? Do you remember that? No. Mhm. In 2024? Beginning of the year in January of 2024 you OD'd on fentanyl All right. And then when I arrested you for shoplifting that one day, remember? Yeah. You swallowed how many pills that night? >> Yeah, I know. But January 2024 I that wasn't me. That was the night remember that was the night I brought you in. That was I brought you in. >> whenever you said I overdosed? You were about to overdose. Okay, I thought you said I overdosed on something. Remember? You what? Yeah, I remember. There's a pattern here. Wait, what do you mean? I mean You're using drugs and you're taking care of your daughter. There was drugs found in here with your daughter. No, wait a minute though on him and I'm trying to get clean. But the thing is is hold on. Look. There was stuff laid out on the bed makeup and everything, right? >> I don't That's that's that's what was on the bed though. I wasn't in here. Okay? >> So I don't know. The investigation grew tense as the mother's statements and actions appeared inconsistent. I'm trying to tell you is she was on the bed whoever her dad is was on the floor. She was on the bed with all that stuff. To whose bag was that? That was had the makeup in it. Was that your bag or was that his bag? Both of our stuff is in there. Okay? Not just my stuff. Both of our stuff was in there. >> And he was sitting So both? So both, right? Huh? So both? Well, I don't want to get blamed for him though. Like that's >> He's going to have his time too though and that's not just you. I it's I'm interviewing you not him at the moment. That's why I'm asking about about the Um there's a camera that will show who left it or who had it. So you guys should really look at it. So that's the thing is we're trying to figure out who brought the fentanyl inside the hospital. Him. I'm telling you right now him. So if it's both of your bags >> No, he brought it in. It was probably in his pocket. Just because my bag was up here he was sitting up here with the baby and he put it down just because my bag is up here with my stuff. When he put it down next to my stuff doesn't mean that it came out of my bag. There's a camera right there like Please let's review it. Please. I know for a fact that there wasn't anything in that bag. You want to know how I know? Because at the bottom they can check your bag before you come up. The security guard we can go talk to him. He checked my bag so many times my bags so many times and there was nothing in it. >> And you don't have nothing in here right now. No. The nurses couldn't do their job with your daughter for the last 3 4 days cuz you didn't allow them to change her diaper have somebody sit in here with her and you didn't let her have a crib. >> They didn't ask if they could change it. I said I would do it. I'm her mom of course I would do her change her own diaper. So I didn't know that was against the law. I didn't know. It's not against the law. It's just they want to make sure your daughter is doing okay. >> Uh-huh and they took her off oxygen and she's fine now. We're just waiting for C YFD on Monday. I want to leave. So just give me a second and I'm going to go outside over here, okay? If you want to know where he's at I could tell you guys where he's at right now. Okay, I'll get in here in a second. She also shared the efforts and challenges she faced in raising her child. Can you hand me a bottle so I can give it to her to use? Which one? This one? Um is that Yeah, those two ones right there I think. I'm sorry. And then the nipple. Is she hungry? Yeah. So how long have you been clean? [ __ ] Clean like fully clean 3 days if I'm being honest. Two two three days. Your eyes are a little glassy. Is that from the the pink stuff? What is it called? Methadone? Yeah. Why are they giving me methadone? I don't know what the side effects are with methadone. Usually drowsiness. They have me on a low dose right now. Do you take Suboxone? Huh? Do you take Suboxone? I'm on the Subutex program. The Subutex? How long and often do you take those? Um I had to take them whenever um like now that I'm clean I took one yesterday and it made me feel so awful so [ __ ] awful. Is there a reason why C YFD is coming on Monday? Um because uh well what they told me is because supposedly because of the whole the baby not going to her appointments. That's what they said, but to tell you the honest to God just I don't know. So so you're supposed to take your baby to appointments? No, my grandma was supposed to cuz I signed over my um when I had the my baby you know how they make you sign like the I don't know if you know, but they make me sign a power of attorney for like the first 6 6 months to a year and she's only a year and four she's she's only 14 months. So they wasn't isn't she responsible So why do you have her now? How come you have her now? What? Cuz my grandma is with my son right now. I don't have her. I'm I'm staying here with them. How come you have her How come your grandma is not here? >> Because she's with my son and my grandma is really cuz my grandma is old. She has a cane. She has she has cancer and stuff like that. Like I don't think like she's sick. You know what I mean? She's a little bit overweight like And naturally the grandmother was also drawn into the investigation. So how was just real quick cuz the C YFD is going to want the grandma to come, but I don't want the grandma to come and get her. So The baby? Yeah. So what what what was up with the grandma on Wednesday? She just doesn't like and tend to her either. Either? I don't know if it's cuz she's a lot older or How old is she? She's the great grandma. Yeah, so maybe like 70 80 yeah. 70 in her 70s? Yeah. So when I get C YFD here I'm going to have her come talk to you guys? Okay. Cuz you guys are the ones that saw her. The grandma? Yeah. And how she was and then I'll be here watching. Okay, I'll put you and her in there and then we'll put the both socks on her just so She doesn't want to go in the crib? She's almost in S Varela. So I called and told her that I didn't think grandma was a good fit. Yeah. So she's going to call her supervisor going to come? Grandma is I guess here, but she's not coming up. So yeah. >> She chooses not to cuz she's not allowed. I told her not to have her come up. Okay. So just I'm going to tell him. Just so nobody comes up here so when I do my thing with her they don't interfere or something. I mean so just so you guys know. At the same time police reviewed the hospital's camera system to verify the mother's statements. When you find it do you grab it or Yeah, it's in the folder. Did you find it right there? Yeah. And where where is it at? It's now in the trash can. She had stuff in the trash can. So where is it at like right there? Well, now they're both in the trash can. Oh okay, so she already threw it. C YFD said I set it outside and put it back in. Okay. They said she did it again. And she did you see her did you take the pipe out? So did she have anything right there? No, she got to be getting clean but she put it whatever it was Was in the bag? Yeah, it's the first one. Oh, okay. Did she have to throw it away so that's it? So yeah. She couldn't see the whole the whole circle. It wasn't it wasn't the second one was a circle the first one like had like it looked like a Yeah. And is that one right there is that the one where she had? The second one yeah. Yeah, cuz I can see it right there on the edge of the purse. Yep, she grabs it. And what did she say when she grabbed it? The first one she said lots of dangerous stuff in the bag. >> Okay. Is that that is her bag? Yep. Later both the mother and grandmother were found to have withheld important information about the child's health and legal history. C YFD is here? Yeah. She's going to be coming up um First trip. Okay, she's going to come talk to you guys real quick, okay? She's the one that found fentanyl, okay? What's going on now? Check this out. Angel has gets up in the air and she has the child abuse charges. There was a lot of history with C YFD. Oh, no. Yeah, it's it's The grandma? So Angel lives with the grandma. >> Oh, no. And she failed to tell us that. Oh, no. Angel is suffering from schizophrenia. It's she refuses to take care of Oh my god. Um Oh my god. Grandma lied and said that Yes, yeah. Oh my god. I guess what I'm dealing with dude. They said that her older boy came in I got her updated and they were switching off. So she brought older boy and she when grandma came older boy had like a gold face like those little things coming out of his head. And then the nurse asked like well, what happened here? So she didn't she didn't go through the process and she tried to tell me that she didn't know the process cuz she really has guardianship over the other one. That's what was in her left hand. She never let the baby go in the crib. The crib's been in there the whole time. Okay. She would let the baby fall in her arms. I told her that she needed to put the baby in the crib. I was going to 15 her so she can come outside and talk to you. The legal process continued with a high chance the mother would be temporarily separated from her child. Miss Gonzalez See what else is here. They want to talk to you, okay? But you said your baby doesn't sleep in a crib. Look, and then the nurses are now that we're outside the nurses are going to come and going to come do like the routine checks on her, okay? Make sure that her oxygen's pretty good that she's breathing above 90. Do you have any other medical besides Rita and besides Miguel and Angel? Your aunt or your sister? Yeah. Okay. And then Rita's what to My grandma. So what's going to happen is what we're going to take custody then, okay? Why not my grandma? Her video not pass. Okay, is there anybody else? My grandma might know the grandma is probably going to I asked her and she doesn't. Or does she have her own place? Does she >> Yeah, she and her boyfriend have their own place. I think they're going to try to keep her here till Monday. Baby problem. Perfect. So let me see if I can get Her vitals are they're not they're not too good. So the thing is is with her, she didn't allow a sitter to help her change the diaper. I know she's doing doing cocaine or something. Yeah, so she and then this I told her she needs to go in the crib. That's when she put one in the crib. So Miss Gonzalez, she still needs to be here till Monday. She's not ready to go home. Like I told you I wasn't lying to you when I told you she needs to be she needs to stay here. Cuz what if she would have died at your at your grandma's house cuz of her breathing. You know what I mean? She needs to stay here so they can monitor her. During the investigation, the mother's statements kept conflicting with the evidence. So I got a quick question. Since I already read you your Miranda rights, if I were to if they would give you a test right now, what is going to show on your test? Like I told you 3 days ago, I don't know how long the medicine Fentanyl, what is it going to be? You said 3 days ago is when I stopped so I don't know how long the medicine system for. I don't really And what else if there was a test? I don't know what else. I saw the video where he took out two pipes from your purse. So what else? Don't play me as a fool cuz I already saw the video. I saw you throw it in the trash. Fingers, yeah. Um Okay. What else? Clear, right? Right? >> No, um the oil burners is for oil. You said clear. I know what clear is. Yeah, I don't do it. I've been on ma'am, I've been on the street I've been on the street long enough to know what clear is. Mhm. Okay. What is clear? Because I know what it is and you just said it. You need to stop lying. I'm not trying to lie. Because there's a different issue that's going on right with your child. Your child should not be in here for more than 2 days at least. She's going to be in here for like 5 or 6 days. For what? She's not breathing well. Why? I don't know. This is your child. You should be taking care of her. Mhm. She shouldn't be this sick. She seemed fine and she seemed fine. Why were they going to let her go if she wasn't fine? She's not fine now. So why did they need you to search Because she they found in her left hand in your room that you and your and that other guy were in here with. I'm not saying that. I'm saying I'm saying why did they need you to tell them? You know what I mean? Why did they need to tell them? >> this is our job, too. This is our job. >> you did tell them. I'm not saying anything like that. I'm saying but why did like did they We have to do what we have to do. The police took the mother into custody after noticing several concerning behaviors. Just come over here, okay? Just I need you to turn around. You're going to be detained right now, okay? Where are your scabs from? Why are you burning? Huh? Burns from what? From the burns. Is there a chair I can sit on? Actually, we're going to go to my unit. Yeah, we're we're done up here now. I have charges that are going to be going to you, okay? What? I'll let you know once I get to my car cuz I haven't been in my car yet. >> You have anything that I need to know about? I'm going to do a good search. So you want to tell me now? You don't have nothing? No, I don't have anything in my purse. Cuz I know where people hide things. Why were you lying? Huh? Why were you lying? Don't pick on my boobs in the street. Nobody You could see in the mirror, dude. That's stupid. That's not right. You know what else is not right? Having paraphernalia in the hospital while your daughter's sick also not right. I'll tell you don't buckle me now. I'm going to unbuckle your your belt now. >> me somewhere else. Stop. You're in a hospital. Nobody's right here. Stop moving. You need to stop moving. Miss Gonzalez I'm going to put you on the freaking floor. Stop making a scene and get up against the freaking wall. You're hurting me. We're not doing nothing. You need to relax. We're trying to search you because if there's anything else at the jail, I don't want to put it in the CC. Do you understand? Yeah. Let her do her job. Cuz you're hiding you're hiding stuff. The arrest process was difficult as the mother kept avoiding the search, forcing officers to be more cautious in collecting evidence. She's hiding it somewhere in there. Where is it? I don't know if she is. Okay. Stop. What are you trying to do, dude? She has something somewhere. You're going to get charged with possession if you don't give it to me right now. Where is it? I mean Where is it? Where is it? We're going to find it. I'll have to do a strip search on you. Stop. Don't even search. She's not showing anything. Where is it? Stop. Don't do that. You just want to hold my flashlight, dude. No. Stop trying to look in my purse. I'm not looking at your I'm trying to get whatever you're hiding. I don't have nothing in there. Stop. Must be falling down her pants. Stop You got to get off my pants. Stop moving. Stop. Let me go. Don't you guys get off my pants. What do you want me to do? You want to just wait to do a strip search at the jail? Stop. All of them in the CC if I She's going to try and get rid of it somewhere. Okay. Stop moving before I kick you on the floor. I've already told you enough. Stop. You're trying to get your hand out of my pants. No, we're not. We're trying to find what's in your pants. No, you guys have something. There's nothing There's nothing in my pants. Stop it. It's up to you. You want me to get it, we'll get it. No. What's in your pants? Tell me what's in >> Nothing in my pants, dude. Then why don't you let us search it? No. You're not taking my pants off. No. Stop. You can't freaking grab here. We're going to rip these pants off of you. No, you can't. Your body cam on? Oh, yeah. Sure. Stop doing that. You can't take off my pants you guys. Miss Gonzalez, there's something in your pants. I'm not going to the bathroom and she's not. Listen to me. Let me out. Listen to me. Let me out. Do you want to go to the bathroom and have an opportunity to take it out? Yes or no? You're going to get charged with it anyway. Do you want to go to the bathroom and take it out? We could do this the easy way or we could do it the hard way. It's up to you. Put my pants on. No. Put my pants on. No. You Stop. No. It's got to be in the front. Stop. Stop it, dude. Stop. It's got to be in the front. Stop. Okay. Stop. Let me go home. Stop. Hey, you're putting your hand in my pants. Stop it. Stop putting your hand in my pants, dude. Don't kick. Stop putting YOUR HAND IN MY PANTS. HEY, DUDE. YOUR HAND'S IN MY I KNOW. YES, THEY ARE. STOP. STOP. You're hurting me. Stop. You going to let her bug you in your pants or not? Stop. Are you going to let her button up your pants? >> No. Okay then. I'm going to button your pants. No. Okay. Stop. Looking up You're hurting me. After several attempts, police found some suspicious items. Ah. Don't kick me. Where'd you find it at? >> In her bra. Perfect. You guys are hurting me. >> doing nothing, dude. Ow, you're hurting me. It hurt. Just don't kick. Or you're going to get charged. I'm not trying to kick. Don't do nothing. Something's falling out. Yeah, something is falling. Out of my [ __ ] No. Stop it. Put your leg down. Put your damn leg down. No. Dude, you're trying to kick. Stop. I don't like it. I don't like You kicked me. Yeah, I did. Ow. Stop. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Stop. I'm not using excessive force. STOP. I'M NOT USING EXCESSIVE STOP. OW. STOP. YOU'RE BITING AND you're kicking. I'm not Ow, you're hurting me. Ow, my grandma. What else is there? Ow. Ow, you guys are hurting me. No. Stop. Dude, you're showing them my Stop. Please. Let go of my Stop it. I don't care, dude. You touched me. You're gross. Stop it. Stop. >> Yeah. Stop. Did she kick you? Stop. Somebody might have been me. Ow. Oh, yeah, she did. Okay. Hold on. Get up. Ow, my Get up. At the police station, officers discovered more items hidden in the mother's bag and clothing. Hey guys, we need to get her in the face. >> Cuz you bit Cuz you You bit me. You bit her. There's a video of you pushing me. You pushed me. You pushed me. Cuz you bit her and you kicked her. I tried biting her. No, you did bite her. I didn't bite. No, I didn't. It's in the video. It's right here. You're going to sit right here. No, I don't want to sit. You're going to sit down. I don't want to sit. Miss Gonzalez, you're going to sit down. I don't want to. Stop. Where are my shoes? I don't know where your shoes are. Just say where it's at and we already have >> We already found it. We already have you The pills. on possession charges. Doesn't matter how much. It's already a possession charge, period. So just tell me what you have so we can get you the help in getting you out of The last time she swallowed like 20, 30 of them. That's what I'm saying. She probably put it inside either her purse or her right now. I don't know which one. So at the jail they're going to put you in a scanner body scanner and they're going to pick it up. I refuse it. No, you can't refuse. I refuse. And then you go on medical hold. Listen. Or I refuse. So you're just going to kill all your kids from overdosing? Or was it not that much? You're are not going to say? She's been lying the whole time. What hurts right now? Nothing? Do you want me to take a look? I heard your wrists were hurting. You sure? Okay. So, we're going to at least get some vital signs on you, okay? You don't have a choice on that one. And we're going to do this the easy way where you let us help you out here, or we have to take you to the room, hold you down, and get it. So, I'm getting vital signs on you one way or the other, okay? That's not my bag. Whose bag is that? Mine. He put all of his stuff in there. There's a video that he brought in, and there's another one in here, too. Is that his, too? Huh? Is that his, too? No, that's mine. My bad. Oh. Jesus Christ. This [ __ ] smells like Let's go, miss. Let's go. Oh, he's trying to hit me. The mother, Maribella Amorgonzales, was arrested on multiple serious charges, including two counts of battery upon a peace officer, battery upon a healthcare worker, possession of a controlled substance, use of paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and shoplifting. Under New Mexico law, she could face up to 11 years in prison and fines of up to $27,000. The US legal system strictly handles offenses involving drugs and children. That's why seeking counseling, treatment, or support programs is always safer and more effective than hiding the issue. If in New Mexico, a small secret caused a mother to lose everything, then in Illinois, tragedy unfolded inside a home where six children had to grow up amid adult tensions and conflicts. He started punching himself. He like broke open that punch holes in the wall. On December 12th, 2024, a girl in Villa Park called police after witnessing a serious conflict between her parents. All six children were deeply affected by the violence. When officers arrived, the mother ran out in panic and told them what happened. When we got a male and female outside arguing. He's talking to me, please. What's going on? He's also fun. He's been on drugs and drinking for 3 days. >> He's lying. He hit me and knocked my bag down. Hey. Come here. Come here. Ma'am, come here. And my kids called. Ma'am, let me You need medical attention, or are you okay? He choked me out. He broke all the [ __ ] in my house. You need medical attention? No, I don't need I need you to keep the light out of my I'm sorry I'm I'm sorry. I'm trying to see your neck. He choked me. He like broke all the [ __ ] in my house. My kids are terrified right now. He knocked down the Christmas tree. All right, what's going on? So, >> He is drunk. He is drinking, and what happened? >> like the third beer in him, and he's going psychotic. He broke my whole cabinet. He knocked down the Christmas tree. Can I look at your neck again? Are you sure you don't need the medics? >> No, I'm fine. I just want I wanted them to leave. Just get him off my house, please. He's going to He's going to make me look like a terrible person. He's a narcissist and a And he's been doing this for years. How long ago did this happen? Ma'am, can you stay right here? And what if you say that? >> Ma'am, stay right here. In contrast, the father denied all accusations, claiming his wife was the one using drugs, hitting the family, and being unfaithful. He accuses me of Everybody He told me I'm all these guys. Going psychotic. My kids are scared. My kids called the police cuz they're scared. He had me cornered in the closet, choking me out in the closet. What happened? I was trying to go to the bar. He He stopped stopped me. My wife has been on a bender. She's been abandoning our family. You could check records with us for like No, you could check records with our school. Okay, everything. Lilly has abandoned my family for 3 months. Okay. I will have my mom. She's drunk. Okay. She's been doing it for 3 days. She hasn't slept. Okay. Was there something about you guys getting physical, or no? No. I I told her cuz she was like, "I'm going to call my thing." I tried to grab her phone, and then her buddy started attacking me. What do you mean her buddy? Her friend [ __ ] hit me, choking me out. >> Tonight? Yes. Where is this person at now? I don't know. He's probably in the house. So, why is he here? Cuz he helps us with our kids. Dude, does he live here? My wife has been abandoning our family and our children. Okay. Does he live here? Somewhat, yes. What started you guys arguing tonight? Because she wanted to leave and drink and do more drugs. She's abandoning our family. She's abandoning our children. Okay. She's abandoning our kids. She doesn't want to be a mother. She doesn't She's cheating on me with other men. I don't know what she's doing. She's drinking and driving. Did you talk to him? Did you talk to him? She's really crazy. She was in public. What's up, man? After her panic tears, the mother led police inside, revealing evidence of her husband's behavior. He grabbed my kids. They witnessed the whole thing. She has marks on her neck. He choked me out of my closet, and he broke everything in my house. Do you need a paramedic? She said no. Okay. Can you explain to us what happened tonight? He started going psychotic, telling me, "Oh, you [ __ ] all these guys. You're a [ __ ] He's like, "When the cops come, I'm going to tell them you're on drugs." Okay. To make me look like Sandy. And he I kids witnessed the whole thing. Can you go inside and we'll talk to her? Can she go inside and talk to her? Can I go in with with her cuz I want Yeah, let's go Let's We need someone to talk to. Oh, yeah. He's a liar. Well, just ignore him, please, okay? He was just shouting at me and my kids. He knocked stuff down. He knocked stuff down all my walls. He went psychotic. I swear to God. Did you talk to the kids for me? I can't. She says that he choked her in the bedroom. Okay. Do you have her information yet? My kids went out. Wait, don't not IN MY BEDROOM. MA'AM. MA'AM. THIS IS MY ROOM. My domain. Sorry. Ma'am. One of the children who witnessed everything also spoke up. He called his mom We don't talk to Dad. He like getting all crazy. He started punching himself. He like broke open that holes in the wall. He punched down on my shelf and he pissed me off. And he just made me lie about my problems, and like he literally hit my mom in the neck. He pushed me out of the closet. He locked her inside the closet. He locked her in the closet. He was like He like pushes me back and all of that stuff. He put his hands on my little sister. But she was on the phone. Are there any of you guys that he keep pushing you He hit me in the arm. Yeah, he He like kind of squeezed my Right there. What did he You had to do something? He just like squeezed my arm. Yeah. And ma'am, can I get your information? What's your first name? My brother's on his way, by the way. I called my big brother. I called my big brother for 40 seconds getting crazy. My buddy left because he attacked her, but Outside, the father still claimed to be the victim, blaming his wife and her friend. What's going on? My wife has been drinking and doing Okay. for [ __ ] months. Okay. She's been on a bender. She hasn't stopped drinking and doing drugs for 3 days. She is completely off the rails. I literally came home. I worked all day because she can more or less not even hold a job. I take care of the children. I go to work. I take care of the kids. I pick up the kids from daycare, everything. She's not even involved in the house. She doesn't cook. She doesn't clean. She isn't even involved. All she's literally worried about is more or less acting like she's single and drinking and doing You guys had a report like a couple months ago of the same similar situation of a domestic situation. Yes. >> with her for almost 18 years. Did anything get physical tonight? >> Yeah. Yeah. Her friend started hitting me, choking me. Has My head is My head is My I'm in the [ __ ] head. I just want my wife to get help. She is trying to kill herself. Not that long ago, when my wife got in her car accident, she wanted to kill herself. Huh. Did she get help after that? No, she didn't get any help. She needs to get help. We can't. Cuz she is going to That's what I'm worried about is cuz she's going to How do you spell your last name? I don't want this [ __ ] tonight. I'm not trying to deal with this I think I saw you guys out one night. I know. My son just had a birthday. I know. We have We have a dog that runs away all the time. She's an idiot, but she's in the back. Police continued the legal process, noting visible signs that supported the mother's account of the incident. She called her brother, so apparently her brother might be showing up. Where did this take place, in the bedroom? All over the house. Okay. You mentioned that he talked to you in the bedroom, though, to somebody. Is that correct? The hallway. Nobody's going in my bedroom. Sorry. That's my private domain. I have sex toys and stuff in there. Nobody's going in my bedroom. What I'm saying It's my private domain. Can I talk? No. That's not why we're here. We're not We're not going in my room. It's fine. He choked me out. He put holes in the wall. I can barely see what was done. Do you have a work phone on you? Yes. Okay. Miss, can you take some pictures of your injuries, please? Sure. Just that area on your neck. Do you have Yeah, that's where he choked me out. Do you mind if I sit in my chair? That's fine. I do have to get pictures of your injuries, though. Get photos first because the the the markings will fade, so take photos first. Do you want to have a seat, miss? Yeah. Go have a seat. Sorry. We'll look at the other side. We have to take some photos of the room, too, okay, miss? Can I see the phone real quick? Give me the phone. Keep doing what you got to do. I'll finish the photos. So, you sure you don't want the paramedics just come check you, make sure you're okay? >> to work in the morning. Well, what's more important is that medically you're okay, right? Do you want them to check on you, or no? I'm okay. I want him gone out of here. So, you my kids can be at peace. So, who witnessed this? My daughters. Both my two daughters. Got you. Okay. And then the gentleman that was here, he He's gone, yeah. So, he just left on foot? Like he walked? Get the information for the gentleman that was here that left. What did she say? She said that she heard a lot of fighting, and it started out here. She was like breaking [ __ ] Who was breaking? The dad. And then they went into the room. They were arguing in the room, and then the mom was yelling her name, so she went into the room, and the dad had his hand over her mouth, and then was like choking her and like choking her on the ground. They were in the closet area. You sure you don't want to And then she started hitting me in the back to try and like get him off of her. Her health condition also raised concern for authorities. Bypass surgery. When I get stressed, Mhm. I get arrhythmias, and it causes me to spasm in my stomach. Do you know his phone number? I do, but I can't get to my phone cuz I had to hide it. Sorry. Where is your phone at? Are you sure you don't need medics? No, I have I'm fine because I get arrhythmias. Oh. I had a bypass. Yep. And stress causes me So, we're talking about arrhythmias. All right. >> It spasms in my stomach. spasms. I just Do you have everything you need? I need uh her friends and phone, but her friend or her phone isn't on her right now. That's fine. We'll talk to this guy, get his side of the story. Hey Justin, do you need to do anything? You've got the kids info, right? See if she by any chance she can get her friend's phone number so I can talk to him to find out his side of the story. The investigation then shifted toward the mother's friend. My stomach is spasming and I'm not I think it's from all the lot of stress. Her friend was here. >> Ronnie? Ronnie. Any reason why he left? Cuz he got psychotic at three I think he hit my kid and he was trying to get him off of me. He like punched me in the face and he said, "I'm out of here." My husband was attacking my friend. My friend was trying to get him off of me. Okay. And then he punched your friend in the face? He hit me here in the hallway and threw me on the ground and my friend was pulling him off of me. He went attack my friend. My friend left. He he left. So he actually deleted all my contacts out of my phone. Right now? Yeah, well then yesterday. Okay. He deleted all my contacts. He has power and control over everything in my life. The father firmly denied the accusations, alleging that his wife's friend and the children had a Maybe her brother, I don't know. How do you get along with her brother? I don't like him. He's a piece of [ __ ] He's a liar and a scumbag and a piece of So my partner here is going to I do. Yeah, we got his name is Richard. >> What happened tonight, Richard? My wife has been out for like two or three days drinking and doing Yes. And I've been worried about her for months. We have six children. I've been worried about her for three months of literally her just drinking and doing being completely unhinged. But what happened tonight? >> days. I go to work, I come home, she comes home right before I go to work and then continues drinking and doing for the entire day. She has marks on her neck. I did not You did not? >> No. Cuz I know she's saying what I did, but I did not I did not put my hands on her. So you did not corner her and the bathroom. >> tried to take her phone, but I just reached like this for her phone. That's all I did. I did not hurt her. I did not put my hands on her. I would never put my hands on my wife. Her buddy started hitting me and Did she get physical with you tonight? >> Yes. Can I Where What'd she do? Well, she was like throwing me. She broke the cabinet. She started throwing me into the wall. My kids started Can I see if you have marks on you at all, any visible marks? So he's got a hand that's got a mark on it. I punched the wall. Punched the wall in my wall in my room. >> And he's got a scratch mark on his head. I got a scratch mark cuz her one buddy started choking me. Choking him and I was Give us one second, okay? We'll talk to you and Sandra about what she has If she wants to leave, that's fine. I don't have any problem with her leaving. >> trying to figure out the truth, man. I asked you if anything got physical. >> there was two fights. He said no. He just punched the wall. So we're just trying to figure out the truth. After interviews and verification, police reached their final conclusion. They were drinking. What do the witnesses say? Daughter found dad on top of the mom covering her mouth and choking her while they were in the bedroom. Mom's saying that there was a friend here named Ronnie who was also trying to get the dad off her. He punched him in the face and he's bleeding. The Ronnie? Yeah. Or Ronnie punched him? No, no, the dad >> Richard punched Ronnie. Correct. And then he left cuz he was bleeding and left on foot. His car's here. That's pretty much what the daughter said. And then she the daughter started punching the dad in the back so that to get him off the mom. >> Cuz he's saying he never got physical with her and she got physical with him. Do you see any marks on her? Him? No, her. Her? She's got sc- like abrasions on her each side of her neck. So So what are we doing? I think I'm going to arrest him for domestic battery. All witnesses' stories are adding up with the mom's. That's more stories than what we have against him. Okay. Cool. Do it. Do what you got to do. The father was arrested on three counts of domestic battery causing bodily harm and four counts of endangering a child's health or life. Under Illinois law, he could face 14 to 35 years in prison. Richard, if you can get your hands out of your pocket, come with me for one second. Uh just turn around look away from me. Richard, you're under arrest for domestic battery. I I did not hurt her. I did not touch her. Can I call my lawyer? Sure. Can I call him now? No, you cannot. Give us a few minutes. Once we get back to the police department, you can absolutely call your lawyer. I did not hurt her. I did not touch her. I did not lay a hand on her. She literally hurt herself. I would not put my hand behind her. She's lying. You're arresting him for domestic battery. Yes. I didn't do anything. Hurt herself. This is a complete lie. Richard, I've got witnesses saying the exact same thing as she said. You were on top of her. No, I was trying to take her phone. I didn't I didn't hurt her. I didn't hurt her. I did not do anything but try to take her phone. It's a complete lie. I understand you're doing your job, but I'm just telling you the truth. I didn't do a [ __ ] thing wrong. You touched yourself. I did not touch her neck. I'm not going to touch her neck. I have to support six children. Charging you with domestic battery. Domestic battery. She's not getting charged with anything. Right now, no. Okay. In families facing hardship, children are often the most affected. They live in tense environments, suffer lasting psychological impacts, and lose their sense of safety in their own home. It's hard to believe, but it's true. The safest place for this child wasn't in their parents' arms. It was in the hands of DCS. Ready to go for a ride? Are you hungry? Yeah. Starving Marvin? On October 17th, 2023, police and child protective services raided a home following reports of severe child neglect. What they found was a heartbreaking scene no child should endure. A 4-year-old child locked away in a dark, filthy, trash-filled room. No food, no bath, no clean clothes, and worst of all, not a trace of human warmth. There's literally so many cans. Okay. And we have started to throw all the cans. Hey. Yeah. Hi. I'm Jessica. I'm with DCS. How are you, honey? So I have to come in and do an investigation and make sure I'm safe. I love you. You'll get what? I have to I have to come in the house? Yeah. It's not safe and I have to remove him. I I haven't been able to find him. Okay, so So Is that where he sleeps? Okay. So what are we going to do about cleaning him up? Cuz I can see your hands. I've been hearing I've been hearing I've been hearing I've been hearing You like to come? Yeah. Mhm. Sorry, it's in my bath. Okay. Okay, so And is there any paraphernalia in this house? Um weed in this house? Is there in this house? No. There shouldn't be or you don't know? Okay. I don't know what he's doing anymore, honestly. >> Okay. So what about Is there in this house? Uh we did have some Uh and then we gone. He may have took it when he left. That's not the working fridge. No, this one is. Right now we don't have much. I was working on things and stuff. Okay. But he does have a burger. He did have a burger. When did he eat that burger? Your child needs to eat every single day. When did he eat that burger? >> How long ago, sir? It's been that long. Okay. Hi. I'm Jessica. I'm with DCS. Yeah, I know. Okay. This was not going to be like this in the morning. We're just Okay, so this has to be cleaned up. Oh yeah, I will. It's just uh We finally got the fog lights out. Okay. >> Leave for the night. >> Okay. He's been doing this for a while, but I don't understand what's going on with him. 12 years and he doesn't even Yeah, the cops are here. Well, how's Mike doing? Yeah, we have two police officers here. I'm back. Oh, you're back. Yes, ma'am. Tessa, every single day. Take a bath. You guys need to figure something out with this fridge. Or it needs to be removed or you need to fix it or something cuz this child needs to eat. There's open wires. Like this child needs to eat. >> Right. This house is not okay. But every time I was working on this, I'm paying all the bills. I I understand and that's I I I heard you. I paid all of the money to put in the in here. Okay. And with him, he just knocks everybody down. He don't work. Okay. He smashed my back wire, but I'm giving it where it was. So first where where So he can get into this? Well, he's got he did that. Well, it needs to be taken care of. Well, we will. Um where does he sleep at? I think he took it. You think he took everything? Okay. Cuz if he can't get anything, he can't he gets into it. His This is Where do you Where do you sleep at, Tessa? But it was so late after talking with the officer. Tessa, where do you sleep at, honey? Um either in this room or that room. I sleep on the couch. He got jealous because they have a good relationship. I was real big because I don't like to be But I don't like DFS. I'm not saying you need it at all. I'm just trying to say this is what's happening. This is what it's like, you know? What I'm saying is I'm willing to get it done to keep him cuz he's a good kid. Okay, right. But he needs to eat. And you know, getting sure he eats. He did. Last night he ate. I'll I am not He's real big right now on hot dogs. Okay. Excuses were flying left and right, but Tessa seemed to forget one crucial truth. In America, a child's safety and well-being always come first. That's why police showed up in the middle of night, not to walk away, but to return the next morning bringing with them the light of justice. So do you have to understand my concern and their concern when we come into this house and there's a 4-year-old in here. This is not a livable for This is what he does. They're They're They're done with you. And that's what his dad does. I'm throwing things to wrap her out of the situation. My wife is talking to you. All my stuff was put up and now you see these things are thrown in the floor. Okay. Well, the dad is the one causing it. Okay, so I'm going to give you guys a duty to inform notice, okay? It says duty to inform notice to duty to inform. So I'm informing you that DCS you now have an open DCS case. So We'll be back in the morning, but I'm going to get I'm going to get I don't know, but you guys need to figure it out We're going to be in your lives until this is taken care of. Okay, but I'm not I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about the baby. I don't Then they can call the police and then they come and remove him again and then he can go to jail or whatever they do. So, yeah. Okay, yeah. So, then you just got to keep calling and you got to get yourself a protective order. Yeah, so those are things we have to get done, right? So, a protective order. Okay, so those are things that have to be done and you have to get some food in this house. Okay, well that again, he's gone now. So, right now all I'm worried about is Brandon. Like I You guys are adults, you guys can fend for yourselves. He can't fend for himself. He can't He can't fend for himself. He can't say anything like, "Hey, I don't feel safe here. Hey, my mom My mom and dad are fighting." He's four. Okay, but he's But he's four. You guys need to worry about the safety of this child. And I get that, but you have to worry about the safety of that child. So, I'm going to fill out a duty to inform so which is going to be that you guys now have a It's going to We'll work with you guys as best as we can. But you guys have to You guys have to You guys need to figure this crap out. This is absolutely not okay, you know? Then he stay gone and you guys need to have boundaries. No, no, nobody's saying anybody's a bad mom. Nobody's saying anybody's a bad mom, but when there's domestic violence and there's some issues, then we need to get that taken care of, right? Cuz the baby right now is the number one priority. So, you guys need to figure that out. I understand, but we got to And DCS has great resources. We help you, okay? But you have to be willing to accept the help. As promised, the next morning police and DCS returned. In the light of day, the home revealed itself as a true hazard with burn marks splattered across every corner. And in the midst of the chaos, a deeply troubling picture emerged screaming, arguing, and both emotional and physical harmful environment. >> What? Is mom home? She's asleep. Can you wake her up for me? Okay. All right, she was on the phone with Amanda last night. I don't know if you remember me or not, but I had you back in 2019, remember? Yeah, well you were the first one. I was your first investigator, yes, ma'am. Okay, so we got a report about some things going on here. So, I know you met with Jessica last night. >> Yeah. Yeah? So, what's going on? Well Last night I was asleep. I woke up and he had been yelling at some I didn't even see him there. You didn't hear him? Yeah, this is dad. Was he asked to leave this property last night? Yeah, and he left this morning. Is he allowed to be back? I think so, yeah. Okay, so you guys got in an argument last night. Mhm. About what? I'm not real sure. The only thing I got out of it was that I was in dad's room cuz you wanted us both out, but but yelling at us, we just wanted to stay because we didn't feel comfortable. Okay, so what's going on with the house? It doesn't look real good. No. No. What's going on with all the little fires? Everywhere. That box back there Right, but there's burned stuff everywhere. Does the house frequently start on fire? No, it was a one time deal, I think. What are on these fingers? Are those tampon applicators? Mom? What? Excuse me. What's up? All right. Okay, so what's going on with the house? I'm going to try to climb. It's cluttered everywhere, really. Yeah, I mean it's what's doesn't look good, Tesa. So, who's all living here? Mom, dad Anybody working? Mom works at McDonald's. She gets a check? So, what are you doing with your check? Okay, how much is mom's check a month? Um somewhere around $1,000. So, how are you guys making ends meet right now? Okay. $600, not a huge amount, but to Tesa it was a fortune. Instead of working, she relied on food stamps to get by. Meanwhile, her kids went without vaccinations, without medical checkups. She even excused not potty training her son by saying, "I'm a girl, he's a boy. I'm not comfortable." Um food stamps access? Yeah. So, are you on food stamps? Uh yeah, technically. I don't really get any money. Well, how much do you get in food stamps a month? $600. Okay, that's it? When's the last he's been to the doctor? It's been a while. Okay, is he up to date on his immunizations? No. Who's his primary care doctor? Um Actually I think Yeah, that. And when would you say the last time he's been, a year? Uh probably around the time that COVID came out. So, about 2 years? Yeah. So, no one's working in the home? No. No? Dad had a new job yesterday, but Well, hi. Any recent criminal history, Tesa? Um not really. He's pretty good and sweet. Okay, what's going on with senior? I'm not real sure with mom. We don't really interact. Usually it's not like that. No, he fights this much, but it's like it's almost like he hates me anymore. Okay, so when you guys are fighting, is it verbal? Is it physical? All of the above? >> Like today he's already mentioned he'll I want something to compare him to. He's like, "No, well I'm hurting." You know, and you're supposed to be my partner now. Okay, and what are those? They're my weed bowls and pipes. Are you willing to take a drug test? Okay, what do you mean you're not sure about him? Are you concerned about I'm concerned that he's on something other than himself. What about mom and grandpa or mom and grandpa or grandma? What about alcohol use or alcohol use? Um that's mainly what you see me getting at. Dad and my old whiskey drink, but I didn't touch it cuz I watched this stuff. Okay. I'm not a big drinker. So, who do you have for support? My parents. And that is why he wants to move away now cuz right now you're not even feeding me and I'm rolling and I can't I suck. Rolling what? Okay. He uses a machine, a transfusion, but mom would let me use it, but she'd get mad when I have to. But I can't and she doesn't want me to waste money, which I get. We don't have a lot. So, I just go do the person in the world. Do you have any concerns for your son right now? Oh, yeah. What kind of concerns do you have? Well, the fighting isn't good for him. Him hearing his mom put down isn't good for him. He needs someone that has both of our backs. Any other concerns for him? Other than him being locked in the basement, I don't have any No, but I want him to feel loved. I want him to know he's cared for. Is he not potty trained yet or what's going on with that? Oh, we're working on it. He's gone to play a couple of times. It's a good job. Because I'm a girl and he's a boy, I'm just not comfortable. I didn't want to change him at all. But his father is I don't know, he's not stepping in to that boy role. Okay, what about um If there was a girl, it would be different. She'd be on the potty, girl. He's a boy. And I'm mom. I'm not asking that for him. I mean I know I don't She knows I love him. I guess you could say that too. I don't know. Tesa insisted he had eaten, yet she couldn't recall what he ate or when. She claimed he had shoes, but the child was wearing only one, far too large. Yet poverty wasn't the most alarming issue. What truly shook everyone was that both Tesa and the little boy were unsafe and inappropriate living arrangements involving the grandfather, an unsettling reality that immediately raised grave moral and legal questions about the nature of these unnamed relationships. When was the last time he ate? Uh this morning. What did he have this morning? Uh burger and fries. When was the last time he had a bath? Uh well, this is the last time, but we I didn't give him a bath today. I already explained that. I just Does he have clothes and shoes of his own? Cuz last night when I was here, he wasn't in clothes and he was You guys kept putting him in shoes like that. Yeah, he was He was our shoes. Okay, but does he have clothes and shoes of his own? Yeah, he does. He needs water. You're stepping on my toes. Yeah. All right. So, you said the last bath was about a week ago? Yeah, this is the last time. What do you guys use for discipline for him? Hey, no. That's not nice. We don't do that. Okay. Listen. So, no. Look at me. I will swing at you. Are bug bites or You can't. Are you going to get bug bites? Yes. I hope not. Wait, is that contagious? I want to spray you with bug spray. I have some right here. Okay, so what's up with all the stuff so he's got all kinds of cuts and sores and you guys have bed bugs or what's going on Yeah he's kind of classy with his mom. Okay well some of these are like bites they look kind of like bites and stuff so like >> Yeah we're thinking ants and trying to do something about it. Well that's the problem when you have someone coming down it's hard to stay up it's hard to be a good person. So my report also indicates that you're in a relationship with Brandon. >> No. No that's what you think but it's not like that. My dad he gives me He has a bed that he crawls in and being I don't know if there's no toilet paper I'm either if he's asleep on the couch I just have to crawl up on the floor or Do you guys sleep? Who sleeps in the park? So everybody's sleeping with grandpa? No everybody. Well you said you do and he does. I do and he does. Where's Tiny sleep? Her room. So what room are you sleeping in? Usually I sleep in my room but when he gets mean I go to grandpa. Can I do a walk through of the house? Sure. You want to go follow mom? You want me to go? Let me let you go. He's don't fall asleep on the floor Armando. A faint beam of light slipped through the crack in the door only to illuminate a harsher truth. Laziness had bred a disturbing kind of apathy. Tessa's disheveled hair and sloppy clothing made it no surprise that every instruction from DCS during their previous visit had been completely ignored. So where's the food that you guys have? We don't have much food right now. What are you doing? Ants. How do you sleep on the couch when it's like that? Um I usually don't I have to crawl up on the floor that's why I've been sleeping somewhere Either way I have my bed. Yeah. Hi. Hi man. So I'm really glad you have the couch and the chair and something and I get bit too cuz something's biting me. I got a friend. I don't know for what but I know from my understanding last night Jessica came out here from DCS she told you guys to clean up so has this been cleaned up? >> Not exactly after everything was taken care of. He ate those drugs but his chair was removed this morning and he was gone. Okay so where's dad at so I can talk to dad? I have no idea where he is. Okay this is grandpa's room where they all sleep apparently. Where do you sleep buddy? I sleep in his spot see. All right. Grandpa's sleeping. Yeah I'm going to let grandpa sleep. DO YOU GUYS do you know where Brandon is at? Yeah he's at dad's. Okay cool I'll go find Hey Brandon. Can I talk to you outside for a few minutes? The father showed up but responsibility kept getting passed back and forth. When neither of them was mature enough to be a parent everything turned into excuses. I can't cook clean and work all at the same time but she doesn't listen. I'm just letting you know for the camera so you're aware I'm recording myself. Oh okay the department received a report so we were out last night you weren't here so I'm going to go over your rights with you first okay so DCS has no legal authority to compel or make you cooperate with our investigation or to accept any services but it is our hope that by working together we can ensure your family has what it needs. If at any time you don't want to talk to me you can tell me to go away and I have to. >> Let me ask you a question if we were to get with my mom and want to move to to where she lives in Missouri and stay with her till we get on our feet is that going to be something we're able to do? >> I mean I got to go over your rights with you before I can talk about anything okay so you have to know your rights before I can talk about anything okay so DCS has no legal authority to compel or make you cooperate with our investigation or to accept any services but it is our hope that by working together we can ensure your family has what it needs. If at any time that I felt that your child was unsafe I do have the authority to petition the juvenile court for determination of child safety services. Your refusal to cooperate does not in itself form a basis Yeah those shoes are entirely too good for him. Does he have shoes of his own can we put shoes of his own on him? He does but I have to find them in in that mountain of of whatever it is is hard to So if at any time that I felt that your child was unsafe I do have the authority to petition the juvenile court. Your refusal to cooperate does not in itself form a basis for DCS to take care of custody of your Why don't we get them off? Why don't we take them off? Do you want to take them off? No. So you do have the right to provide written telephonic or verbal responses to the allegations and to have those considered in the investigation. We sure do. There are two phone numbers on this form those two phone numbers are to what's called the Arizona Ombudsman Citizen Aid Office. If you felt like I was rude unprofessional or inappropriate any time you can call file a complaint and then investigate that I'm doing my job appropriately and professionally. So I'm just going to openly end it what's going on here? What's going on here is I guess we've been doing a lot of arguing cuz I'm trying to talk to her about getting the house cleaned up starting you know doing better you know getting stuff done so I can go to work but I can't clean the house for everybody do everything for everybody cook clean and go to work and make a paycheck to take care of this and provide and she's just refusing to listen and so it makes me angry and I'm probably handling it the wrong way. Like you know getting too angry about it and it's not listening. Is anybody working right now? Uh so over here mom makes a paycheck. >> does the mom make? Mom makes probably a grand and it's social security disability. How's that making ends meet for four adults and a child? Exactly that's my point is nobody will clean the house but I can't do everything for everyone and go to work. >> How long have you guys been living Yeah if I were maybe a living caregiver or something that would be different but I'm not. How long have you guys been here? We've been here now for going on 3 years at least. >> Cuz I had I don't know if you remember me or not but I had the original investigation back in 2019 when he was first born. It wasn't this bad originally. >> No it wasn't. It wasn't this bad when we came back here it only got this bad cuz you guys stopped fighting long enough to just talk listen and understand I'm not perfect either I do things wrong I've been handling it the wrong way obviously. So when's the last time he's been to a doctor? Uh that's a good question. Is he up to date on his immunizations? Uh that's a good question. Um is he meeting his milestones daycare? >> do daycare but I do try to work with him sometimes at a time. I go over letters and shapes and such. What about potty training? Potty training if I can get him to cooperate sometimes he does go on his own sometimes he does want to go I just kind of why I had his diaper off earlier I didn't take it off he took his own off so he's been taking his underwear off on his own and he didn't want to put his underwear on so I figured maybe that he'll pee one time and realize hey there's something coming out of there. What about substance use in the house any Substance use her mom is smoking weed. Any other one anyone else use them? No I do sometimes just stay calm but I try not to over smoke. Do you have any marijuana property right now? No. If you do do you lock it up or what's that look like? We usually put it up out of reach if I can help it it's put up out of reach. Any any history with heroin or Uh history of it but not any uh You're maintaining sobriety? Unregulated use. If I asked you to test would you be willing to test? Uh maybe. Okay why maybe? I guess I could. Okay so I mean if I know that you're going to pop positive for marijuana I already know that right? >> Right. So that that wouldn't be a concern but if there's anything else that would be a problem. So what's going on with the relationship with Tessa and her granddad? I don't know it's probably just a figment of my imagination all the stress and stuff. So what do you think is going on? I don't think anything's going on here I did some hard thinking last night it's probably just you know her trying to get away from the fighting when I'm not trying to fight with her just trying to talk you know what I mean and so she just goes to her dad like any any daughter would. So what's up with all the stuff on him? Like the bites and stuff. >> of it looks like dirt the rest of it I'm really not sure he probably just falls down he does run a lot he's got a lot of energy I'm thinking it's possibly could be ADHD. So do you guys have like running water? >> Running water electricity gas works. It doesn't look so nice it doesn't look good. Yeah I know. Do you know what I mean? Yeah I know but I mean something something had to happen eventually. I mean what do you think needs to happen? We need to straighten up clean up and get on our feet and start working So when's the last time you had a job? >> over 3 years ago. Last time Tessa had a job? Um that's a good question. With that unhealthy lifestyle the mother Tessa was finally handcuffed facing two charges child harmful environment and adult harmful environment. Baby Brandon was taken to safety not out of pity but because justice finally spoke up. Okay guys so I talked with my supervisor and we've got a lot of concerns we need we need to figure it out. What baby? I'm sad. I know you're sad honey but look grandma get her house done and then we'll work with these people and get you back okay? Bye. Yeah you have to be a good good boy when you go to grandma grandma will do everything she can to get you back okay? I love you. I'm going to get you set up for drug testing. I love you. So I'm going to come back out with the paperwork and stuff with the Do you know I love you? Do you need a ride? And you know grandma will do everything to get you back that's why I'm your great grandma for you okay? It won't be long grandma will do everything to get you back. Get the house and stuff and do the same grandma do the same okay? Go on and let grandma get this paperwork done. And then when he gets to the office I want to hold him at grandma's any criminal history or anything with her? Grandma? Yes. Oh hello okay. What's her name what's Mary what? Mary Norris. She used to she's a I always told her she was goody two shoes. Yeah if everything pans out the home's appropriate and stuff we will absolutely explore that. You won't let me know. Yeah do you have a phone number? I have a home test. What's the home number guys? Ready he loves. When you do take him to grandma but I don't know. Well yeah I'm going to have I have a whole process I have to do with that so he's not going to go right to grandma's he's under my office as long as everything pans out then absolutely that's something we will totally explore. Okay? Okay. And I will get this done now but I just can't handle this. She said you have my card so give me a little bit and probably tomorrow morning I'm going to swing out and drop off the stuff for you to go testing. Ready go for a ride. Are you hungry? Yeah. Starving Marvin what's your favorite food? If you could eat anything, what would it be? Yeah. Yeah? You want nuggies? Yeah. I like nuggies. Let's order some nuggies. Yeah, are you guys sure, Grizzly? Come on over here, Tessa. Tessa, I'm going to detain you for this at this point in reference to your case, okay? There's some stuff I got to go over with you. She's being detained for old case. So, Tessa, it looks like you have an adult abuse warrant or child abuse, one of the two. I mean, your daughter is a back of place called She got a family for a daughter. Is there anything on your person right now? No. Okay, nothing that that I need to know about? No, I don't know right now. Okay, so I am going to place you under arrest. It's a grand jury warrant and adult abuse. So, you have court first thing in the morning. It's not the crime of the century. The bond is 2,500. You'll see a judge and you might It It is possible you could be released tomorrow on your own recognizance. But, it's very important that you stay updated on these things, okay? Cuz that's a felony. It's a serious one, right? Oh, I didn't know I had any. The right to motherhood is not a lifelong privilege when it's accompanied by neglect and violations of a law. Under child protection laws, any act of neglect can lead to criminal charges and in some cases the permanent loss of parental rights. If you think the previous case already hit rock bottom, then get ready because what the police found in the next house will leave you gasping for air. Do you think or would you have ever thought if you had kids you would let your kids live in a house like this? On February 2nd, 2024, another call came in from St. Petersburg, Florida, reporting two children living in shockingly poor conditions. What was truly chilling, for the past 11 years not a single neighbor had ever seen a child step outside that house. Go back. Go back, baby. Where you going? Yeah, the four walls. And you said you've lived here how many years? 11. 11 years and you've never seen them never seen kids outside playing didn't even know the kids were in that house ever. Didn't know they existed. Okay. When she told me that I was shocked. >> And you said you never saw a woman at this house, just a man? I just see the guy and he walks down the street all the time and he'd drive a little Toyota Corolla sometime and that's it. Toyota Corolla and that's it? Yes, sir. Never really ever seen nobody here but him. What does that man look like if you ever like seen him? He's I thought he's Last I seen him he had like like a nappy little short afro like >> Like a small afro? Yeah, kind of light-skinned. Light-skinned? Um I'm taller than him. I'd say about so much height like about there. And you see him going in and out of the house or you see him just kind of walk past the house make contact? No, I see him walk know he's there. Okay. Okay. And I haven't seen the car here, so And you said what? You haven't seen the car here? Mhm. So, female lives here? Um What did you say? Do you have Do you know your social? My social? >> YEAH. WHAT AM I GETTING READ? NO, YOU'RE JUST YOU'RE JUST FOR your social security number? >> Yeah. You just go down as a witness. You don't have to. Yeah. We just always ask if somebody does just so we have to identify somebody later and we try to put as much information as we can on the arrest stuff. You don't have to. It's just a It's just kind of things that we ask. Hey, wow. Well, thanks for coming over. No, you're helpful. Yeah, good cuz I know kids be over here and really They're the only kids in the neighborhood? It's the ones I see it's right here and they play out in the yard all the time, but this lady here don't have no kids. Older lady, them people there older couple, them right here older couple, the lady on the corner she have no kids. Baby kids. Like I said, I don't have babies running around. The lady next door to me don't have no kids, so I'm shocked. But, the ones that have kids you see them out and about. >> It's nobody but right here. Okay. And they're outside playing? Yeah, they play all the time right here. Good. Then the scene was uncovered, a conditions unfit for any child to live in. Two young children were living in a house filled with mold, and spots alongside two unconscious adults who had abandoned their kids to a under the influence and unresponsive. When the father sobered up enough to stand, officers began reading him his Miranda rights, preparing for the arrest. But, instead of showing any remorse, he rushed to make excuses. She's no longer using drugs. She's sick. Then stumbled over his words, trying to paint himself as the victim. We're going to talk to you about what's going on. So, with that being said, some of the questions I might ask may to somebody seem be seeming incriminating. So, I'm going to read you your rights just to talk to you, okay? Doesn't mean you're under arrest. You're not under arrest. You're not in handcuffs. Do you understand that? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him or her present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you. You can decide anytime to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights I've explained to Okay, having these rights in mind do you wish to talk to me? Huh? Having these rights in mind do you wish to talk to me? Yeah, what Uh just about the whole situation here. The whole situation? Yeah, I was asleep. I was getting ready to go to work. They're going to jail. Huh? They're taking them to jail. This is your house? It's my mom's house. Your mom's house, okay. How long have you been living here? Since October, 3 months. 3 months? Yeah, since well, whatever my mom was Okay. How long has she been living She came over with her brother. She got a place over there. So, 3 months ago? >> No, same time. I brought all of them here. I take care of everybody. Okay, I'm sorry. That's my fault. I missed it. So, when did you start living 3 months. I was staying I had over there 5180 place. So, we were all of us over there. Okay. Happiness and then it just we were in my came over here. That was 3 months ago? Yes. Okay, so she's been staying here about 3 months. Yes. Okay. The kids, they're yours and hers? Yes, sir. Okay. How long have you guys been together? 3 months, 4, 5, 6 4, 5, 6 years? Okay. What she uses, yes or no? She got a illness. She She's got a disease. Okay, so she You said you took her to the clinic then? Yeah. Um when's the last time she went? Yesterday. Yesterday? Yeah. Okay. Do you know if her two have been used since yesterday? Huh? Did she use? I don't I don't know. She She don't tell me anything. I can't I can't maybe any time now. She what? Oh. I'm going to go outside. I'm not talking to you. That's okay. She got a illness. She gets She gets She She got a illness. She what? She's She's got a illness. I'm sorry, maybe me I'm just not understanding >> See, that's all it is. Okay, it's an illness. I didn't have work to do in the back days. Okay, so she went to the clinic yesterday. Did she use yesterday? Do you know if I don't know. I was at work. Okay. What do you do for work? I drive a taxi. Oh, you drive a taxi. Okay. Um when we came in you guys were passed out. We knocked the first time. Was there an incident prior to us getting here with one of the children being outside? No. Nothing at all? No, we were busy. For 3 months the children never been outside the house now. We got called about an hour before we woke you guys up. Probably about 15 minutes before we woke you up. Yeah, and the door situation with the situation with that door is that when they came it was old house. How How is that a settlement? I understand. It was not dumped here by one of the Who is that? Air conditioning They bought it from her. Yeah. They banged on the door and knocked off the top here. It was caused the crack in the wood and so I When the police said they saw your child walking out front, everything started to go off course. Nathan immediately denied it. The door wasn't open. The kids were still inside. But, the strange thing was everything he said contradicted the evidence. So, in the end, who's hiding what? We were here for the overdose last week. Yeah, so that was the situation. My question is is we were called here before before we woke you guys up today. We were called here about 15 minutes prior, okay? Somebody called in and said there was a child walking around out front and then you came out and addressed the child and brought the child back in. I didn't come out the door until you guys came in the house. You tell me so I went out the door, that's a total lie. That's just so much lying to you. Okay. The child was not out the door. And I didn't come out the door until until you guys run away. So, the child wasn't out the door then. >> No, it wasn't out the door. We found a pipe in there. She said she smokes She said you guys both smoke. When's the last time you smoked? Smoked yesterday. Yesterday? Said before you guys went to bed when you woke up. >> That was yesterday afternoon. We found a pipe next to bed. It's in plain view right next to the bed on the floor. Is that commonly where you leave your No. Okay. Let me ask you about now Again, where she's sitting on the couch, there's that folding tray table. There's a crack pipe on it. Okay. Who smoked crack? I didn't. I understand it's not you. I have a feeling based on her priors and everything it's her. Did she smoke crack yesterday? I don't know. So, does she normally leave her crack pipes out in the open like >> No, no. I don't know if crack pipes is out there. Where did it Where did she go? Uh roll call, but we figured that situation. That's why I asked for your keys. It's what? That's why I asked for your keys. Are they They're both in my car? Okay. She's going to take charge once we get to the the officer. She's still attached to the car. Okay. Are you aware of the conditions of the house if they've been The kids have been staying here for 3 months with you guys? Yeah, I don't see why they would put it in the cabinet. Nobody ever put it in the cabinet. That door was open and fine before. That just happened over there. I had some weeks that I have had somebody fix it. So, I'm trying to get this stuff fixed in my mom's house. Trying to get stuff done. I mean, it's just I would consider Let me ask you your honest opinion. This is a question as a father myself look from the outside looking in, do you think or would you have ever thought if you had kids you would let your kids live in a house like this? And I get she like she said it's not like this all the time, but if you walked into this house right now and said there's two kids living here, would you sit think yeah, that's normal? What would you think? It's not a criminal situation. I'm not I'm trying to bust what I was doing. It's what? With their actions deemed utterly unacceptable, both adults have been formally charged with child The man faces an additional charge of child full environment. With bail set at a staggering $160,000, while the woman received a comparatively lighter bail of $10,000. As for the child, he has been placed in the custody of the DCF to ensure his safety. I don't like it. I'm just asking your opinion. All right, what was your first name? Nathan. Nathan, all right. Do me a favor, I'm Nathan. I'm going to have you put your hands behind your back, okay? What did I do? What I'm doing is wrong. You're both being arrested. I'll tell you what, stay cooperative. I got two pair of handcuffs. I see you're a bigger guy. I know. I'm doing what's best for the children. Huh? You got some big wrists, too, man. What? Can you spell what what what what >> tell you in a second. [ __ ] you, man. What am I now? All right, I'm going to try to make sure this doesn't lock up. Tell you what, if you sit tight, I got a couple of ankle cuffs. They're a little bit bigger. I'll grab them out of my car and we'll use those, okay? Yeah, you guys are both going to be under arrest for child neglect, okay? Shut up. Yeah. Because the living conditions of the house are not feasible for children. Okay, there's obviously a reason we were Our initial plan was just to take the children cuz they shouldn't be living here. You guys have paraphernalia that's easily accessible to them. You're both passed out when we get here. The house is disgusting. >> That's been here before we Yeah, there's something wrong with her. Yeah, that's been here before we got here. What about her? We're going to put her in yours because I mean, he's probably going to go in mine. Just for that room. Okay. So, you guys are both going to be under arrest for child Stop. Yep, the children are going to going to be coming with us. We've already contacted DCF. They're going to come grab them today. Oh, that's [ __ ] All So, take a walk over here. Put gloves on and you can search him. I'm trying to get my phone. Leave those off now. Tell you what, man, this is what I have, okay? I'm just going to tell you honestly what they are. These are usually ankle cuffs. Okay, they're a little bit bigger. I'm going to cuff them together. That's how we're going to secure you, okay? Cuz I know you got big arms there. So, put these on before you take the other ones off. Okay. Get them on. Make sure your things are unlocked or you're unlocked, I should say. Install these before you take those other ones off. So, put these on and then we'll pop the other ones off. Just uh put your hands arms out a little bit so she can get those off for you. All right, come on. Let's go. Come on. Best thing to do is put your butt in first. Turn over. Can you take this thing off? I I can't. I just want to pinch you cuz there you go. I'll put it below your big toe. I don't want to lock these so they don't get tight. Listen, is there anything inside your bra and you're hiding? Did you bring anything into jail? >> I can't feel it. I can't feel it. Can you Can I look? Do you normally keep stuff in there? Yes. Can I check Can I check if there's anything Are you Do you know Do you know if there's anything in there or you don't? I don't think there is anything in You don't think or you don't know? I don't think so. I don't want to get another inter- interaction with cops. >> I have one. Okay. So, here's the deal. When we take you up to jail, we'll tell them that you may have something in your bra, but that we weren't able to search you here and then that we know about it and they know about it. It's not an introduct >> I can't check it right now. >> We're going to put you in the van. We'll let you check it for you in the van, okay? Okay. And we'll both do that, okay? All right. Show us if there's anything in there. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. >> All right, Are you going to give me a chance to call home, please? Yeah, well Here, I'll tell you what. I'm just going to let you check it now and then if there's anything Okay, I'll tell you what. We will uh Anything? No. No. Nothing? No. Okay. Here you go. That's 73. I'll show you 15 two times, please. Which one? This one? That one's actually looser than the other one. That's super loose. Huh? This one. You got it. I got I got Poverty may be the root cause behind the harsh realities many children face. But being poor is never an excuse for parents to expose their kids to toxic environments. Because if the next generation keeps repeating the same mistakes, who can be sure that society will not suffer from prolonged instability? Thank you for joining us through these two haunting stories. The case in New Mexico shows the severe impact of substance use on a family, while the tragedy in Illinois serves as a warning about the challenges children face growing up in tense environments. Each story is a wake-up call, reminding us of adults' responsibility to protect the young. If you found this content meaningful, please like, share to spread the message, and don't forget to subscribe for more insightful stories ahead.