Do you know where he lives? No. He's going to show me, but I want He said he wants to warm up first. What's he saying? >> [music] >> He woke up in uh his mom's car. You guys said he came from that way. Can you head that way and see if there's a car door that's open? Yeah, technically you could be charged with endangering the [clears throat] welfare of a child even though he's been sleeping in the back of a van possibly for the past 5 hours. Saving abandoned kids from the dangers of the outside world is bad enough, but what happens when the ones responsible for their pain turn out to be the parents themselves? What is CPS looking at you for right now? I told them that she was touched by her biological dad, and then she was telling them that we her and we don't feed her and that we have no food. You smoked those cigarettes while you're pregnant? I smoked throughout all my pregnancies. These were the moments of toddlers led cops to [music] their evil parents. Starting with a welfare check that turned into a gut-wrenching discovery of four abandoned children. I have a video of her screaming outside for 5 minutes, right? But I don't see the other day. The 1-year-old has like some weird rash. What are these bruises from? She called 911 at 9:04. That's what was mentioned. They threw her up dollar. That's why they threw her. On July 19th, 2024, officers responded to a residence after they received reports of four children running away from the household. Officers would soon realize that this was no prank on the children's ends. Rather, it was an attempt to escape a house of horrors. Hi. Jamie, it's Elaine. I do not see her on the floor. Yeah. Oh, thank you. Jamie, I asked for a little bit of help. Hey, hey, hey, hey, relax. What's what's going on? They just got up. Who? Dr. Phil in the feet. And I asked for help because he got up. Which way did he go? They went up Birch. Okay, I'm going to go We've got patrols in that area looking for them, okay? Okay. Go. Do you know what her name is? We'll go look, okay? Hey, we will find her. We will find her. Yeah, you did the right thing. Yeah, you did the right thing. You did the right thing. I did the right thing. Okay, I'm going to go look for you. I'm her her ex-boyfriend's wife. I'm the mother stepmother to Aries. Okay. I'm going up Birch towards where? Towards whatever street that is up there. They crossed it apparently. Hey, hey, hey. Okay. You need to calm down, Maya. We need you to calm down, okay? I will go look Wait, what's your name? Elaine Newman? Uh yeah. They're like two houses down where those little girls that play right over there. They're like two houses down. They were just outside. They went in their house like 10 minutes ago. Which street is that on? The one right here. This one. Birch? Yeah. Okay, I will What what's the color of the house? Uh I don't know, but I know they live like two house two three houses down. Listen, go go check that out. If you want to bring her out to the weather or not. Yeah. So Elaine is your ex-boyfriend's wife? Yes. It's my daughter's dad. Okay, and how many kids do you have? Four. Going on my fifth one. Did she turn that way? That's what she said. She showed me. They're like two houses down. Okay, they just said they were they're out with those kids over on North Rutland. Yeah, so that's North Rutland. That's That's the next road over. Okay. Were you home when that happened? I have a video of her screaming outside for 5 minutes, right? But I don't see the other day. Okay. The cops are out looking for Dr. Phil the other day two days ago, but this is a thing. She could have walked out right there and saw that they were all playing right here. Got you. Screaming down the street. I've got video on my phone of them playing right here as she's screaming at them saying she was calling the cops that they're gone. She's tired. Okay. Good luck finding them. From the moment the officer stepped inside, it was clear something was off about the house. One of the women, identified as the mother, Jamie, insisted the kids had simply left the house on their own, but the neighbors' account suggested something far deeper at play. Have you located them? Man said she they're out with them. Okay. So it sounds like patrols found them. So what exactly happened? I asked my daughter to help me pick up the house before her dad got home from work. Okay, who's who is your husband? Anthony Allen. And I have videos of where she's just me smacking me, kicking me, and I've done it all to her grandmother. And all I asked her to do was help me pick up because I don't want him to yell at me, you know? Okay. And she just straight punched me in my face. And I had her in my arms. Oh, it's okay. And then they took off out the back door. Okay, and did you try to stop them? Yes, I did. And she legit grabbed the two boys who were already at the stairs then legit ran down the stairs. I couldn't do anything because she was trying to go off the stairs as well. So I brought her back in and now she's like this mad at me. How old are the kids? Eight, five, and three. [clears throat] And she's how old? She's going on two. She's one. Okay. What's the matter? It's okay. And all I asked her to do is help pick up because they're the ones that made the mess. And you live here with your husband and the four kids. Desperate to avoid blame, the woman tried turning the entire situation against the children claiming they were unruly and had just run off. But when officers circled the apartment, what they found inside made them rethink Jamie's accusations. Basically, she was just asking the kids to help clean up and she said it start the oldest started punching her and then they ran out the back door. They are covered in bruises. Yeah, the kids got to bring them back to the car. Really? Okay, the residence is disgusting, so definitely going to be a CPS Well, of course, yeah. Um there's another there's a 1-year-old here with her. And then I've got the names and date of birth of all the kids that you have over there, so there's cigarette butts all over like in reach of the kids like on the couch and stuff. So does it look like a cigarette burn burn or No, no, no, it's like it's like they have cigarette burns on them. Okay, okay. Her grandmother and biological her 1-year-old has like some weird rash, but How long has this been going on? Is this This is the first time that This is the first time she's ever threatened to run away or do anything, you know? She's never punched me, never kicked me. And yesterday we were over at their grandmother her biological grandmother's and she's legit seen her father and since then it's been nothing but her punching me, kicking me. Where'd your little one go? Oh, there she is. Hi. It's been hell today. Just [crying] this. Like I don't know what else to do. And how old are you? I'm 29. 29? I put them in time out. They legit threw toys at me. What's the matter? Come here. It's okay. Yeah, I mean the house is disgusting. And all I asked was for a little bit of help. If you can go to Bronson at the corner of Bronson and North Rutland [music] and go and assist Officer McIntyre. The inside of the house told a story of poor living conditions and fear. Every corner revealed the kind of horror no child should ever live through. It was clear this case was heading straight to CPS, but before they could proceed, the mother revealed something that made every officer freeze in disbelief. Lady, what are we doing over there? Okay, why why would you feel like you'd lose your kids? Because I've already asked CPS and he said the next report that comes in I'm automatically What what is CPS looking at you for right now? Right now because of the fact that we went back to school the last day of school and told them that she was touched by her biological dad, and then she was telling them that we her and we don't feed her and that we have no food and all different kinds of [ __ ] The other day their grandparents who live downstairs, which is adopted dad's mom, decided to throw her and my 3-year-old and they're looking at that. He just said we're going to report Do you any drugs or alcohol today? No? [snorts] Okay. You just smoke cigarettes? Yeah, if I had one I've been smoking butts. And now I have to pay my fine by the 23rd for stealing from Walmart. That might come back. I don't know. That's the only thing I got right now. What's What's she got all over her? Toothpaste. They were getting into the toothpaste. That's why I yelled at them. Toothpaste? What are these bruises from? She called 911 at 9:04. That's what was mentioned. They threw her up dollar. That's why they threw her. She does. Okay, what about the scratch? What's this from? Oh, the cat over at their her aunt's. 3:30 in the morning. 209. Their biological parents. Okay, the cat scratched her? Yes. So why did the kids take off? Because she was telling them to. She packed all of her stuff and this is where she saw them waving goodbye that she was leaving. I mean when all this is going on you didn't you didn't try to stop them? I did multiple times and then I blocked the door. I put that in front of this door. That's why I said hold on a minute. Whatever Elaine was on on the phone. Nobody else lives here? No. Okay, where do the kids sleep? Sleeps here. Where is here? In here. This is her bed? Yeah. [crying] Okay. Her blanket and sheet is Well, her blanket's out here because she was watching a movie Okay. whenever I told her it was time So your oldest sleeps here. Sleeps here. And the two boys sleep in the back. 96. So their bedroom is back here you said? Yeah. >> [crying] >> This is their room? Yeah. Why are there mattresses thrown around like this? That's how they always do it and then That's how they sleep? >> No, no, no, no. That's how they go up underneath, they make a fort. That was your That's why I told I needed your help cleaning cuz all the toys go in there. They get all the toys out and everything. I just threw away food, it's out back on that porch that's been sitting there. You smoke cigarettes while you're pregnant? I smoked them all my pregnancies and that was to calm down. Ma'am, we'll be right back. The deeper the officers went into that house, the worse it became. Hoping to piece together what truly happened, the officers turned to a neighbor who had witnessed the chaos first hand. The kids walked by my house and took my kids toys out of our front yard. She was on the bike, the two boys took the my daughter's little buggy car and the other boy hopped on the scooter and I heard the car being pushed. Like, you know, them little plastic poop cars. I heard it getting pushed so I was like so I came outside and when I came outside my boyfriend was asking them where they lived and to put the toys back because they weren't there. And I came outside and followed them down the street, got the toys back at the corner and she apologized and said, "I'm so sorry, my brothers took your your toys." I asked her where she was going and she said they were going to get milk. So, I took the toys back home which is only like three houses from the corner and I came back around the corner and they were coming at this way and she said, "Will you just let us go get milk?" I said, "Do you even have money for milk?" cuz I noticed she didn't even have shorts on pockets. So, I was like, "Do you have money for milk?" and she was like, "Oh, yeah, can you get out of my way?" And I was like, "Well, I just want to make sure that you're safe. Like, [clears throat] where do you guys live?" where you know, she my mom sent us to get milk. I said, "Well, your brothers don't even have shoes on." She said, "Well, I told them to get shoes on." And I was like, "Well, where do you guys live?" I said, "It's not safe for you guys to be wandering the streets." I said, "When you get up there to State Street, you guys shouldn't be, you know, they're too little to be crossing that street by themselves." She's like, "Well, I'm a I can watch them." And then I asked what happened to the little boy's arm and she told me that she accidentally pushed him in a fire and then two or three more times I tried to coerce her to walk back this way with me so I could walk them home and she wouldn't come with me. And I was like, "Well, if you're not going to call me then I'm going to call the cops because your two little brothers are too small to be wandering the streets." And then that's when the first cop car pulled around the corner and we we flagged them down but I think they were like That's when you said your boyfriend stopped first smoking. He was sitting on the porch. He was out there when they got on the thing so I heard the car moving and I heard him say, "You know, they're not your back." And then when I was walking out outside onto the porch he was asking them where they lived and they just kept going so I followed. And then as soon as the cop pulled around the corner and she seen the cop car, she started she broke down and started crying that she didn't want to go home that her mom was being mean to them so she left with her brothers because her mom was her with a flip flop. And then shortly after that is when the other lady walked around the corner, apparently she's the stepmom of and she said that they have like an open CPS case and that the mother's 9 months pregnant and that the grandparents were just arrested a couple days ago for them something pushing them off the scooter. You followed them down the street to figure out to get the toys back, right? To the corner and then I put the toys back and then I followed them around the corner to see where they were going because like at one point the little boy ran out in the street and ran in front of a car. So, I was just lingering following them trying to get them to go home and then the cops showed up. I didn't want to be too pressing with them because she had already told me that I was freaking her out because I was following her and I didn't want her to be scared. The neighbor described seeing the children wandering across busy roads with no adult in sight and worse, she noticed bruises and marks that suggested something much darker was happening behind closed doors. Officers immediately moved to protect the kids but before they could, the father appeared with a story of his own. Thank you, buddy. That's for me? Yeah. Thank you. You, little buddy, are you ready to go for a ride in a police car? Yeah. It's this over here. Come on. No, you can't sit in the front. Yeah, you sit right there. There you go. You want to help your brother when you get a chance? That was for dinner tonight. So, this is the the two boys' room. Oh, okay, they put the mattresses back when we got here. They were like flopped over um and the blankets or anything weren't in here. The blankets were in there. Not when I originally got here, they weren't. When I got home when I got home, to be honest with you, the blankets these were on the floor, the blankets were underneath the bed. >> Okay. Okay, so they were underneath the mattress then. I didn't see them. Um and this is where the 8-year-old sleeps um and this is the baby's. So, this was over on the couch and one was right on the bed here and there's another one right here. The cigarette butts, they straightened a couple things up but Well, I I I I I I come home and straighten it, you know, having four kids with her being pregnant, yeah, it's hard. I had to go make money for my fines so cigarette butts and stuff like that especially with You don't want them, you don't want them Like I said, I keep them up here or I usually keep them up there and like Justin don't have a issue. Justin Weaver don't have an issue with that. >> Well, I do. Okay. Even though they're cigarette butts, they're still They're harmful. It's harmful to their system, they are little. Even a little bit, they get enough in their system, they're going to get poisoned from it. It's toxic so it really needs to get keep it picked up. >> I know when I came home I it was it was trashed. I seen it, there was you know >> were you gone? I've been gone since 12. I mean, 11. I went I do lawns with my boss. So, you came up and cleaned up >> I cleaned up when I got home. I always do that. >> Cuz when you but I was here prior to you arriving and it was not as yeah. It was 12 people all over the place. There was 12 people all over the place and that's That's she's a problem child. She's been having the boys, you know, I'm worried about my son, you know She's pushed him in the fire, you know, she should have been like basically in like counseling counseling not working, we sit him down, you know, we don't beat our children. I don't never lay a hand on my kids. >> Okay, so this is in counseling? This is in counseling. This is in counseling. This is about to be in counseling because he has PTSD from the fire because pushed him in the fire at West Kids. You know, he's been through a lot, you know, all you know, yeah, I was worried about But he's been seen medically and everything like that. He's he's been going to the doctors. He's been um his next appointment is October 9th. He had a skin grafts right here. He they cut the rest, you know, I drove Are you guys supposed to change his bandaging or is that the hospital? There's no bandages on it. What about his leg? There's something wrapped on his leg. The thing on his leg is a is a thing. We wash it. >> Okay. I I just wanted to ask. You don't need you don't need no band no bandages, that's all done and taken care of. Everything's healing right. >> Okay. So, basically and the wrap on his leg, you guys wash it? >> Yeah, we wash we have to hand wash it. We can't put it in the washer because in a couple weeks we have upstate has something the is sending to us, it's like a hand thing, it's physical therapy. But those, you know, he don't have to have that on all the time but the leg, you know, it's skin graft, it's going to bleed if he bumps it or something, it's going to still bleed because they took that skin and put it right here. >> Right. Yep. But his arm this right here don't have to really be on. The father, Anthony, downplayed everything, the injuries, the state of the home, even the children's fear. But his dismissive attitude only confirmed what the officers already suspected. He was hiding something and it wouldn't stay hidden for long. Did things start with something being said about alleging something against her father? I mean Did her father have That's in the past. Okay. I got I got Basically the whole CPS report that started with Justin was me touching all the kids. I went through the whole process. No, and then no, no, no, no. >> Oh, okay. She accused her other father a couple months ago of doing the same thing. No one touched her. She went through it. All right. I just wanted No, I just wanted to ask. I wanted to Yeah, we've been asked by CPS since December 15th. Okay. A previous thing that already We've never Neither of us have ever been here before so we're not familiar. We're not trying to accuse you of anything, we're just trying to figure out what's going on. Yeah, I got I got removed me out of the house and all all that. I just wanted to make sure that that was in the past. The thing is what she lies, you know, she steals, [music] we bring her to you guys, you guys don't do nothing for her, you know Well, I mean, there's so much we can do with an 8-year-old but We're we're trying to have guidelines with her. We don't like I said, I don't beat my kids. And there's no excuse for that. >> because I was adopted, I was in the foster care system and I used to get I don't know if you know Pastor Jordan that used to own the church in Great Bend. I used to get whipped in the face with one and you know, people are saying, "Oh, kids belong in the foster system." No, they don't because they're more of a than the parents that actually have them. If I was here today, none of this stuff would have happened. None of it. I'm talking I I have you know, I I drive without a license to be honest with you. I have tickets out there. Is this Jamie getting any help? I don't know. I She tries her best. She's trying, you know, yeah, you know, she's supposed to go in and induce tomorrow for the baby. She's been having problems with the baby. She was bleeding for a while but they don't listen to their mother. The only time they listen is when I'm here. Now, if she goes in to be induced, who's going to look after the kids? I am. You're not going to go in with her? No, I don't With all my kids I do not. And I have you know, I have family. Dustin his dad is actually my cousin. Jamie was supposed to be over at my aunt's house, his mom's house today. And I was, you know, making money, man. I need fine man, I don't need to go behind bars. She has a fine for stealing from Walmart because, you know, income is low, you know, Justin knows we we used to you know, she used to steal just to get you know, just to get stuff. She got caught. She did her had to do her time. She were paying on her fine. I used to door dash. >> I mean I [snorts] mean, it just seems like she needs a break. She needs help. Because I'm not home, you know, stuff happens. I got to make money for diapers and all the you know, I'm not on steady income. So, when I when someone tells me to get go get get in the car and go all day to make money, you know, I got to do it for [clears throat] my kids. Now, I try to come home faster just to help find them and then I heard that the cops had them and you know if I was home none of this stuff would have happened. >> Grandma can take her for the weekend if that's fine with you. Oh absolutely. But did you talk to her about Yeah. Did you can you talk to her about being held? I will. Okay. Okay, thank you. All right Jamie, we're taking off okay. She's just got to talk to you a little bit but we're out of here. I'm glad the kids are found safe. >> Anthony kept insisting that Aries was just a difficult child refusing to see that both Jamie and Heath failed big time as parents. At that point the officers knew exactly what had to be done. Hi Anthony. Do you have everything you need? Do you have anything in your pockets? Just your phone? >> Yeah, just my phone. And a lighter. And that's it. Okay, all right perfect. We're going to go over to my car over here and I'm going to have to put you in cuffs okay. It's just our policy whenever we transport anyone. So And this officer is going to just check make sure you don't have anything on you. Good? Yep. All right. All right Anthony. Here let me open this. I appreciate you making this work. So we'll pick a court date that works for both you and for Jamie and then you guys will just be able to head to court and together if that works better. I think that would probably work best for you guys right if you guys want at the same time. Yeah. Okay. And as soon as we're done at the station I'll give you a ride back to your residence okay. In the end the father Anthony was charged with endangerment. Moving on to the moment deputies found a toddler wandering by a busy road with no parental guardian in sight. She was right here. She kept running running. She made a left we start following her. Who was watching your daughter? I am her mom. You know how busy it is? She ran and went south. Why you on the road? Why you don't go with daddy huh? On February 19th 2023 officers were dispatched to a residence after citizens reported seeing a toddler wandering dangerously close to a busy road. Two men who made the call had stayed with the child for nearly an hour until officers arrived but the moment they did what the deputies saw left them speechless. Hi. Hi. Where's your house? Where do you live? Huh? Yeah, where's your mom? Is this your house? No? Is that your house? That's your house? Okay. So what so what happened? So we we saw her running from here. Running? Yeah, on the road right here at the crosswalk. So we immediately you know we immediately saw it he saw it. We we we we took the decision to follow her. We made a U-turn. She was right here. She was She kept running running. She made a left we start following her. She made a left at 200? Yeah. Okay. And just went all the way down. But she lives here. She lives here? That's her house. So who told you that she lives right here? So so what then we you know start following her call the police. She was she said I'm dizzy so we just we took her in the car. We started driving. I said maybe her parents are looking for her let's go back this way. So when I came here I saw the guy there. I asked him hey man is this the girl you saw her anywhere? He said no. I said is there any Asian family lives here? He said over here. So then you know out of the curiosity I went there knocked the door nobody came out. He said back door. The guy said. I went to the back door I saw everything clear. The door was open halfway open. Her clothes her toys everything is right there. So you can you can put things together yeah that's what happened. And then she called he called his wife or whatever he confirmed yeah that that she lives here. And her mom >> What house was it? This one? No no no this side. No I'm saying who told you that? The the guy who lives here. And I heard her running out still? Yeah, he just went to somewhere. But he's here? The officers found the toddler wrapped snugly in a stranger's coat blissfully unaware of the chaos around him but just as the good Samaritans began explaining what happened the careless father in question suddenly appeared. I don't know what this guy he had a quiet little camera I think. Maybe that's yeah that that that's his daughter. Is that your daughter? No. Okay, yeah just park. Park right here in here. All right. So what's going on? Just park right there I don't want you to get hit by someone right here. I'll let you know right now. He said it's his daughter so we'll find out. Oh. Thank you guys by the way. So he called you? No. You called? Oh no no no I thought he called. No, he's just showing up now. Oh okay. So what's going on? Is that your daughter? What? Is that your daughter? The little girl? Do you live here? Do you have a little daughter? Yeah. Okay. Is that I think we have your daughter in the car. How old is she your daughter? Four. Four? Can I see ID? Was she in the road or on the >> Oh yeah on the crosswalk. On the on the sidewalk? She was on the on the sidewalk. Okay, Jesus. Yeah, we went we went we went here that's why we came back. Okay. He caught her at the right of the dollar right at the money. He when he because she was right here. Then we start following. We we didn't leave her we kept following until you know she was she was shivering so we put her in the car you know we were also scared. >> thank you guys. Who's watching your daughter? Her doctor and mom. Where's your mom at? Where's the mom at? I'm not I'll call her. Call her call her. Come here let me make sure it's your daughter come here. We got your phone numbers man if we need you guys we'll we'll give you guys a call. I I I love you guys take it to the next level. Yeah, we're definitely looking into it he better have a good excuse. Hold on. She said dada. Okay. Okay let me talk to you let me talk to you for a second. Talk to him first. Where is where's the where's the mom and what how did we get here? How did why was the kid running down here and then went south on 200th Street? Who lives here? Who lives here? Does anybody know? Now you you better get home now. Now you better get home now get nobody home. Okay so so what happened? Does he speak English? Yeah. Okay so what happened? I know I know it's I know I don't want to talk about personally or anything I know I get it she's your daughter I have daughters and I'll be I'll be petrified. I'd be scared she was. So let's just start what happened. >> I'm numb. It's okay. You take a breather for a second. And then you live in this house right? Yeah. This one? Yeah. >> Then who was watching your daughter? I am her mom. Okay, where were you? I just went out for a little bit I thought she got home. I I thought she home. Were you watching your daughter first? We both at home. Okay, you're both at home. Yeah. Okay. Who left first? She left first. Your your wife? Yeah. And then you left. And then I called her that I need to go and then I'll come back and she said she on the way. From the start the father's story made no sense. He shifted blame pointed fingers at his wife and dodged every question. The officer had heard enough and it was time to confront him with the harsh truth. Is that your mom? Did you leave your daughter by herself? Because I thought she on her way. So I'm I was so she took me that's what I thought. So you left her daughter by herself. So you your wife was coming. Yeah. But your daughter was by herself. Yeah that's I thought it just for like a minute. So that's why I left. That's why you left? Yeah. I didn't look at the the time. You didn't look at the time? No I didn't. Can I hold One second one second. He's with his daughter it's okay. I'm just trying to get this information down. Your daughter. Open the door. Right out. Did you see her running? Yeah. You know how busy it is? She ran and went south on 200th Street. Cuz Get get get the number. I mean my um father-in-law like he in in the 200. I mean Yeah, but my name is my son's. You told me that your wife left first right? You called your wife to say hey I'm going to leave and you left all this here. Oh. Left her four year old by herself. You said you come from and then she was on this busy street with all the busy little cars there is man. She ran. One way or another sir it's probably going to get we have to contact CPS. Okay. The fact that you left her home alone that's You understand? Yeah. Okay. You can talk to her there but you're not going to pull her out of my car okay. All right. Is there a reason why you left her home alone? I thought I thought her mom was on the way. Did you have somewhere important to be? Nothing important than my girl now I mean Well something important enough that you left her. I'm I'm not trying to belittle you I'm trying to understand this. Okay because I get it you thought your wife was on the way. I'm trying to figure out what was so important that you decided to leave instead of just waiting for your wife to get home. It's been an hour just to let you know one hour. We are with her. And these guys saved her life man. Yeah, I mean Yeah, we saw We have kids too yeah. We she was right here when we saw her. We were going to our business and we just U-turn you know. Yeah, we'll call you guys if we need anything else. Thank you. All right sir thank you. So right now we have to figure out whether or not we need to take her to CPS and you guys will have to work through that system or if we can leave her with you. At this point I don't feel like we should be leaving her with you. So, is it the only way like We have to talk to our supervisor first. Okay, you want to move your truck, you're more than welcome to move your truck. Hey, so I found the child. Um the father's here now. And he stated that his wife left first. And he was taking care of his 4-year-old. And he decided to leave his 4-year-old by herself. And left thinking that he'd be back in time. And the daughter opened the front door and left. Two males found her and called her back. Hey Muñoz. Come over here so I can listen in. For an hour. Yeah. At least an hour. The father's weak excuses only made things worse. His nervous rambling couldn't hide the obvious signs of carelessness. But as officers pieced the timeline together, each new detail revealed how lucky this child had been to survive. He said he was running like crazy. He said that we wouldn't book him right now. Okay. Yeah. No, no. We're not booking him. We're booking him. We're looking at taking the kid. That was the first thing. Yeah, he said I was like, "This is child endangerment." And he's like, "Well, how long she was gone?" I was like, "She's been gone." I was like, "At least at least an hour." He even said like these guys they grabbed her an hour ago. And I don't know how long he's been gone. Like he won't tell me the time. He's like, "I don't know the time when I left." So, I'm assuming it's been longer than an hour. >> Probably. So, one way or another we're referring this to CPS, right? >> Okay. Uh we got to look go look up the and go look up the child endangerment stuff. See what you can knowledge yourself up on. Let me know what fits best with this. Okay. You're good, man. I got I got him. I'm going to close the door. Sit with her. Exactly. When officers looked closer at the family's living situation, their concern turned to fear. Then, right on cue, the child's mother appeared. Okay. Oh my goodness. So, the child was found on the roadway by two people. Oh, really? They had sat with her for about an hour. Oh my goodness. So, before we start yelling at him, sir, you want to stand over there? I want to get your side of the story, okay? Oh my god. >> You want to stand over there, please? You, ma'am, stay here with me. Oh my god. Okay. I'm in the hospital with my dad. Okay. >> Right now. I told him to uh just bring my baby to my mom house. To your mom's house? Yes. My mom house on the road. Bring it down. He was under the impression that you were almost home, which is why he left cuz he thought you were going to be able to pick up right where he left off. No. I told him to bring him home to uh I didn't know that he he just left her. Why would she be home by herself? I didn't know uh he was here earlier. Okay. Are you guys having marital issues? Is that why there's no communication or what? No, no. We No issues? Yeah. Any other kids? Yeah, I have kid at my house. >> kids do you have? I have three kids at my house. At your house? Yeah, and one kid with him. Where is your house? It's just on the road way here. >> guys you guys don't live together? No. Okay. He he left it. He just left the kid home by yourself. Ma'am, I I don't want to sit here and listen to the argument back and forth, okay? I Yeah, I I I I you can go to the hospital and not I'm with my dad in the hospital. >> at? Which hospital? Uh Valley. Valley? Yes. >> Okay. He was under the impression you were going to come here, it sounds like. No, I told him if he said I'm not uh then I come home right away because I just tell him Um uh bring my kid. Yes. We're separated? >> married. >> Never married? >> Yeah. >> But you guys all have kids all the same kids? >> No, just one I'm sorry. >> That's all. Oh, oh. We're trying to figure out what's going on. That's all, okay? Yeah, and he thought maybe I come home, but I I thought he maybe we meet on the street because he thought I'm come home right away, but I thought he bring the kid to my mom house. That's why. >> the same address? Your mom's house? Yes. Same one? Yes. Yeah, that's why he misunderstood me. Okay. I'm sorry. I thought he said >> Listen. So, I've got to talk to my sergeant, okay? >> Oh, oh no. >> Figure out what's going on. Figure out if we're going to release the child to you or if we're going to take the child under CPS. Okay? So, I'm I'm the one that take care of baby because I I sleep here this morning. I just left the baby here with him. Yes. >> Why don't you just go home? It's right down the road, right? Yeah, because on the weekend we stay here. And then I I I thought he uh he bring the baby Okay. So, weekdays you stay here, weekdays you stay here, weekdays you stay with your mom. >> Yeah, but he misunderstood maybe I come home and get her, but I I said I'm busy with my dad in the hospital. Maybe he misunderstood me. And then maybe he thought I'm come home right away but after he left, but I'm not because I'm with my dad. Okay. Uh maybe that's why the baby uh opened the door and she uh she she tried to get out of the house. Does she normally get out and walk on her own? >> No, no. Does she know how to get out of the house normally? No. Uh there's nobody home and then she just uh go out get out. >> Okay. Does she know how to use a door? Yeah. She does, right? >> Yeah, she's 4-year-old. Okay. Go take a seat in your car. We'll be right back. The mother insisted she had been caring for her sick father, calling the whole ordeal a miscommunication. But this so-called misunderstanding could have ended in tragedy. Something that those careless parents didn't seem to understand. Child is been out of the house for at least an hour, no one home. Uh I got it. Oh, yeah. No one's home. Uh couple of dudes picked her up and sat with her for an hour. She was walking along the roadway on 10108. Um they kind of talked to some neighbors and figured out where her residence was. No one at the house. As we're on scene, dad finally shows up. I guess the neighbors probably called him. Uh so, we're we're looking at doing uh what do you call it? Reckless endangerment for the child or at least Um and then taking child and charging dad, but mom showed up on scene. Mom and dad live in separate houses. Uh but she stays with him during the weekend. She was over at Valley Medical with her dad and told the male half to bring the child over to her. He thought that maybe she was coming home, so he left the child at home thinking mom was about to be there shortly. Mom never showed up. Child walked out. So, at this point we're probably going to release child to mom, do a CPS referral for both. Uh cuz mom's D O L address comes back to a different address, which is actually right down the road, which is what she's saying. Yeah, it's more so dad was just being a jabroni. So, we're going to release to mom and then CPS referral if you're cool with it. Yeah. Well, he was under the impression that she was almost home, which is why he I know, 100% but that's what I was I was going with originally and then mom shows up and actually leaves up a valid story, so that's why we're not removing him right now, but definitely doing a CPS referral. So, mom shows up. Yeah. I don't think we have any That's what I'm looking at, too. And also CPS. Yeah, I think it's more than I mean there is the the part about leaving them right with out any care, but Yes, but the this is a little different. It's not like he's purposely doing that. Or that it's like a track record of it, huh? So, they live separately, but on the weekends she stays here. This is their only child in common. Uh she was over at Valley Medical visiting her dad who's in care right now. So, called him and said either bring the child to me or drop him off at my mom's house. She thinks that maybe there was a miscommunication, right? Cuz he heard "Hey, I'm going to come pick up the kid." Not "Hey, come drop off the kid." So, nonetheless, this [ __ ] we're looking at reckless probably state at large for reckless. For reckless endangerment of the child? Yep. Uh but she's going to go with mom and we're going to do a CPS referral. To CPS? Yep. It was becoming clear that this wasn't just a simple mistake. The officers pressed the mother for answers, and that's when the real story began to unravel. Thank you. I'm so sorry. >> with you over here for a second? Yeah. Yeah, I show you uh this is family because uh my my dad's in the hospital, see? That's why we in the hospital right now. Oh, okay. See that? Yeah, see that? With the family group. Yeah, see that? My dad have a seizure. That's why I'm there with him. You see that? I'm I'm not lying. And this is your ex-husband? No, this is my boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend now or still boyfriend? He's still boyfriend. >> Yeah, he's still boyfriend. We we still live together. Sometimes. >> He You text him saying that Who texted you about dropping off the kid off? He He called me. Okay. And he he called me earlier and say "Where are you? I'm come home." So, he called me. He called me What time is it? So, from what she's saying, she told you to bring the child over to either her mom's house or Valley Medical. No, her mom. So, she told you to take the child to her mom's? No. She told me she on the way. She's on the way? Yeah. Okay. I mean, I could bring to her mom. I mean, like Okay. Why would she tell me that she told you something different? Cuz she on the phone, I I couldn't hear like all the same thing. Okay. What time did you leave the house? I've been looking at the clock. You didn't look at the clock? Was it morning? Was it afternoon? Do you know what time it is now? No, it's like um uh like 11 He called me in the morning um maybe around >> Yeah, around something 11. About what? Uh about uh come home with the kid. And then I said I can't. Bring the kid to my mom house because my daughter there. My daughter 18. She can take care of the baby. And then I tried to call my daughter and she I tried to call my mom and my daughter and ask them to take care of the baby. >> What's his phone number? Can you get his phone number? >> Yeah, and then he he made understood I come home. But because I think that I he bring the kids home. That's his phone number. >> number. And then I didn't know he left the kids. He's crazy. >> Oh, so he said >> Maybe he think I'm I'll come home right away. But normally he called me, I come home right away. Uh before he left. But this time because I told him I was with my dad. But maybe he don't believe me or something. I don't know. Probably he don't hear me or something. >> There's not a history of this before ever. No. No. The mother seemed convinced that her husband would never do something so reckless. But the more he revealed as he spoke to the officers, the more that illusion fell apart. How long do you think you've been gone? I mean that having good time. Minimum, right? That's what my partner said. At least 1 hour. Yeah, good. I tried to look for something so I can fix my truck because they uh They got this thing on my truck. They dropped the thing. So, at the very minimum we have to refer this case over to CPS. Let them know what happened. They're probably going to be in contact with you guys. They'll have their own separate case. We'll leave you guys with a case number. She's going to go with mom. You may be looking at criminal charges. So, a court date for you. It's called uh reckless endangerment, right? Your actions led to the child being in danger. Does that make sense? I'm just giving you a heads-up so you're not surprised. That's all. Yeah, but I don't know. What can I say? Not a lot, man. >> What can I do? Nothing right now. Let's leave that here. Thank you. Why you on the road? Why you don't go get baby? Thank you, sir. Uh-huh. Hey. Stay out of the road, okay? Listen, I'm just going to read over you the facts and circumstances. Right if I find that there's no probable cause to cite you at large, you will not be receiving a court date. Let us review that, talk with some of our supervisors, figure out what the next step is, okay? All right. If you don't see anything in the mail, then you probably don't have anything. Got it? All right. No, but Like I said, man. So, it it sounds sounds like a massive miscommunication, right? No at the very minimum, like I said, I have to send this the case over to CPS. Yeah, I >> They're going to be in contact with you guys. So, just be aware of that. As far as criminal charges, like I said, let me review the facts and circumstances. I'll call you and notify you what we come up with, okay? All right, sir. All right. Thank you. In the end, the child was placed safely with the mother, while the father was charged with reckless endangerment. The case was handed over to child protective services. Speaking of evil parents, this mother-father duo couldn't care less about the well-being of their runaway toddler. He couldn't [music] find And why didn't he call the police? He was hoping that hides. She likes to hide. She has my >> [music] >> and she does to me all the time, but She doesn't run away on him. >> How old are your other kids? They are 7 and 9. >> 7 and 9. Do we know where they are right now? >> [music] >> Um they should be home at this point. This this is going to be child neglect, whatever it is, cuz look how far we are from the house. On May 3rd, 2025 in Vero Beach, Florida, a neighbor playing with his daughter made a chilling discovery. A 3-year-old girl, alone, covered in dirt and bearing fresh injuries, was spotted stumbling out of the woods as if she had been lost for hours. When officers arrived, what they found would haunt them for years to come. Yeah, thank you. Um I'm sorry. As a father, I'm shaking right now. Um me and my daughter out in the yard playing, I look up right there. Where that fallen tree is? Yeah. Came out of here. I don't I know everybody around here. This is not anybody's kid. Hi. Came out of them woods. I'm shaking right now. >> What kind of truck was it that drove up? It was a white car. I'm not sure. Look like an old Toyota, like a '90s. Like a like an old Corolla or something? >> Kind of. And it was full of look like migrant men. Okay. And they weren't acting suspicious or anything, but they were like, "Hey, hey, is this your kid?" I was like, "No." And then they were trying to make her over there. And I was like, "No, the hell you won't." And they this literally just happened. And not 3 months ago and yeah, and now it's going to happen all over again, you can see. You're all right. I I I understand the child child likes to I was freaking out cuz I literally just got home because I know you can hear this thing go driving on the neighborhood. >> dispatch. I was like, "Whoever pulls up besides an officer or not and they made me secure my firearm in the house. Yeah. She wasn't going anywhere. Still not until she left. You know offense. Oh, I know. Believe me. As disturbing as the scene was, the officers quickly remembered this wasn't the first time they had encountered the child's father, Cody. Just a few months earlier, he had been at the center of a serious neglect case. And now as the pieces fell into place, all the suspicion pointed right back to him. This is my house. This is my little one. Yeah, yeah. Luckily, everybody knows we're pretty smart. We don't have a bunch of predators. Yeah. I think we only have one We only have one over there. Well, I mean I know we got a couple Yeah, one over here on the corner. Yeah, I mean I I know some are adults, but the ones that Yeah. Okay. He's the one with the truck, right? Yeah, it's No, there's another family. There's a Oh good god. Yeah. Yeah, there's Yeah, they have like five of them. Five kids. ended up down here. I mean, we know about them, but we They're there every other weekend, so I've seen that. I was out here with uh with a mini bike and you guys had the whole SWAT team or whole whole crew over there. So, I would be worried. It's the Browns' house. Do I need to be worried? No, they just They just He just They're just crazy. Okay. Is it the one on this side or the one It's It's on this road right here, 26. >> Okay. And it's uh the one at the corner. >> With the trailer Uh I think it's the It's one with all the trash out in front. It's like pretty trashy out. It's like the It looks like a Fenced-in one? No, it's the open Take a left right here. Your first left. All three corners, there's a a Oh, man. Yeah. If you pull up on your thing, so I know that when you turn to one, there's the fenced-in area with all the lights and trash. I don't know what they did. And then there's the old man down there with the pull-behind. >> Was that the one that came outside or no? Um I don't know. I've never seen him, only the bald guy down there that's registered. And then there's um another like a black gentleman down there that's registered. But I've never seen any of those two down here. And the ones that are down there in like the trash and stuff. I don't even know what they look like. I guess the one that came outside wasn't a predator. Oh, that's not good. That's the first thing I asked him cuz I guess there's one right here down the street. Yeah. Oh, that's They're all in here because there's no schools here and Yeah, there's a lot here. I think uh dad he's working outside and help and I don't know. Help. Yeah. Yeah, that's that that trash is right there. Oh, it is? Right at 22nd Street. There's a There's a >> [snorts] >> patch of woods here? Yeah. And the house with the trailer, I think. Yeah, I don't I don't think it was on purpose. I guess I don't just think he wasn't paying attention for a second Hopefully it was just short time. >> He said it was 5 minutes. Like literally he he he was like on the phone he was coming home. >> Oh, that's not what the Uh that's that's what she said up here. They they they had that traffic complaint [music] over off of 43rd and 8th. Yeah. I had literally sat there for 2 days and gotten one speeder. >> Yeah, that's normal. The reality turned out to be darker than anyone expected as the little girl had been left completely unattended for hours. When officers confronted the mother, her words [music] only deepened the unease. Hi, ma'am. Hi. How old are you, honey? I I I know this might feel a little bit daunting and I know you spoke to the deputies already. But I'm the deputy who's here to investigate whatever happened today, okay? Okay. So, can you tell me what happened to your knowledge? All right. To my knowledge, [music] literally I could probably tell you the phone call. I received this phone call. I just got done like shopping and pick my friend up. I was dropping her off at home. Okay. Just hanging out a minute, you know, chit-chatting, whatever girlfriends do. And he called me on the phone and said he Who's he? Okay. And which I she's only like two blocks down, so I immediately came and double-checked the house. And then I as soon as I got in the car to leave and drive around the neighborhood, I seen the deputy here and I came here. So, who called you again, sir? Can you clarify who who called you regard called you and say again He couldn't [music] find And why didn't he call the police? He was hoping that hides. She likes to hide. [music] Yeah, she has my and she does to me all the time, but He doesn't run away on Do you guys live together? No. You're not living together right now? Separated. Are you legally married, [music] separated or How long have you been separated? Um it's been like 2 weeks. >> [music] >> 2 weeks? >> Yeah. And what time did you drop him to him today? I um well, we all had went to go earlier and get something to eat and what have you and get a few birthday >> [music] >> things cuz he needed to go. And I dropped him off. I left at it was 5:30. >> [music] >> 5:30 p.m. Like 10 to 6 Yeah, it was like in between 5:30 and 10 to 6 is what I Okay, so you dropped >> [music] >> I dropped him off. Between 5:30 >> picked picked up my friend. And how long did you have to be there with him today? The mother revealed that she had dropped her daughter off at the father's home around 5:30 p.m., yet didn't receive a message until 7:21 p.m. of the child going missing. For a 3-year-old, that gap was inexcusable and nothing either parent said could make up for those lost hours. She was only there Like I don't very long. Just a couple an hour or two. Okay. >> Maybe. And after that she said you can run some errands with that. Do you guys have a custody agreement or anything in place or are you guys working it out together? >> it's it's just he Yeah, basically I take care of her all the time and I you know, because he's done this before. What do you do you mean he's done this before? All right. So, I just got out of a open DCF case because the last time I and his care ran away. I'm trying to think who the deputy was. It was a It was a lot of every bunch of them. So, but um So, this is so It was like in December or January. She's walked Of this year of like this year, December / January. Yes. I I can't remember exactly >> enforcement involved in that case? >> Yes. >> [music] >> Yes, because a lady went and back to the dad and had already called law enforcement. So, y'all were already on the way. >> [music] >> So, on and so forth and Now, in the same issue I was Did he get in trouble with law enforcement during that incident or not? No. No. No. I The only DCF case was on me cuz it DCF lady letter says it falls back on it's my responsibility. All right. So, to clarify, so today at 5:30 p.m. you went you dropped off her at the dad's while you were while you were doing some errands and shopping and then at 7:21 [music] p.m. he calls you from his phone saying, "Hey, I can't find What else did he say to you?" Um I don't know. I mean, it was kind of like you know, like, "Are you sure?" At the time I didn't know that my other my other boys were there, too. And they must have followed along with their friends. And so How old are your other kids? They are 7 and 9. 7 and 9. Do we know where they are [music] right now? Um they should be home. With dad? Yeah. Okay. But um So, there's two other kids that are there right now. Yeah. Well, they go to their friend's house and that's why I was asking where the boys were and they were supposed to be at their friend's house. But they know they're supposed to be home by 7:00. The mother's calm demeanor made everything feel even more unsettling. She spoke about her missing child as if it were nothing serious and couldn't even tell where her other two children were. To officers, this was a classic case of individuals not being fit to be parents. And when the witness recounted the events again, the urgency on their end escalated. Can you tell me exactly what from the beginning what you saw what happened? >> Yeah, I was sitting over there and I saw a corner of my eye seeing her come out of the woods over here. Like right out of here. And I was just waiting for somebody to walk cuz it was like adjacent to the truck. >> Was it walking or crawling? Walking. Okay. Perfectly fine. And then when I got up and walked over here, I looked and there was nobody coming. And right in front of where this white SUV my friend was right there, there was a uh like an older I want to say like a Toyota, maybe a four-door. And there was about four or five Hispanic men in there. They weren't They weren't acting aggressive or anything. And they were like, "Hey, here is them. I'm like, "No." And they were trying to take her over there to There's a gentleman lives here named where the where the truck is over here. And they're like, "It's them." And I was like, "No, no. They got boys. It's not." And they're like, "Well, >> [music] >> take her." I was like, "No, you're not. You're not nobody." So, I I told him He called about an animal call for So, and then they came by one more time. But I think they were just making sure that I wasn't doing And then Can you walk over there? Can you show me specifically where she walked out of the Yeah, right Well, I directly come out. Come from this way. And I was just looking this way. She wasn't coming down the And I said, "Hey, what are you doing?" Came right here. Hands up. So, I was sitting right there and this is when I standing right here. Did she appear to be in distress, panicking? She was very happy. Didn't seem scared at all. Didn't seem to be scared >> with Have you ever met her before? Never. Okay. Never Um There's a lot of children that resemble the neighborhood, but I can personally say I've never seen her before. I've And there was obviously I have no one or no adults around. Just I don't Nothing. the the car full of the strange men. Okay. Um I'm going to go down there and I'm going to supposed to be two more kids, 7 and 9. Oh, wow. I need to be sure the other kids are not missing. I don't want mom to leave yet. Okay. Um and I want to see what DCF wants to do. They just had a case for the same issue. Yeah, I overheard you. >> And there wasn't there wasn't an arrest in that case. Uh so, I don't know the circumstances of it. Nonetheless, this is um So, we're going to go down >> say how long? Do we ever get a time frame? >> I Mom dropped off the baby at 5:30 p.m. >> [music] >> Okay, get off So, I don't know how long dad Dad called her at 7:21 saying that, "Oh, I can't find her." And that's why mom drove over here panicking to know what happened. Right. So, I have to go talk to dad to figure out fill in the blanks. But um at this point this this this is going to be child matter what it is cuz look how far we are from the house and and all that. Uh Is that coming out of the woods right there? It's wild. Like that's not a trail. No. Means that they'd be crawling through the woods. in the woods, yeah. Or animals. Anything. Yeah. Or that car could be strange stuff out there. Well, there's like 20 something that just live over here. Like you never know what this But can you just be sure she has a leaf? Yeah. I'll hang up with you if you need to. I'm going to tell her right now. One thing was clear. If the neighbor hadn't intervened, this could have ended in an irreversible tragedy. Now, the officers' focus shifted to locating the other two children and ensuring their safety. It's like a still house. We tried knocking and nobody came to. There's nobody around. There's two other kids that are supposed to be here, 7 and 9. We haven't heard the window shakers aren't going. There's nobody We tried knocking on that fish door thing and we haven't heard like from anybody. And then there's a If you go by these power poles, there's a trail that goes all the way along and I think that maybe that's where she went. All right. >> You can tell it's like a well-worn trail between It's like a mini alleyway between the houses up here and Did you get everybody's information? Okay. Hey Cody, this is Corporal Riz with Indian River County Sheriff's Office. We're currently outside your residence. Uh we're here to do a welfare check on your kids. If you can give me a call back or step outside the house, thank you. She doesn't have the key. So, she's reporting She wants us to go in and check the welfare of her kids. If they're not here, she said they probably ran off to a friend's house. And Adrian's trying to get that information out. Uh well, they're not here and they're not there. They're missing then. Oh, 100% yeah. We'll be calling everybody out. So, All right. Let's make sure we clear this. And then she said this might not work cuz it depends on the deadbolt. It's only on one side of it, but Look up there. All right. There should be another Tell me how to get in. No. Which way to go? Cody, this is the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. If you're inside, make yourself known. We are going to make entry. Cody, this is the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. If you're inside the house, make yourself known. We are going to make entry. Cody, Sheriff's Office. You in the room? Since we are no longer searching or in the residence, we can deactivate our body cameras. Actually, just pull pull the car up here. And then I'm going to um we'll take the laptop out and bring it over. Amidst the panic of locating the other two children, officers realized that Cody, the father, was nowhere to be found, likely hiding to avoid the inevitable arrest. When officers finally tracked him down the next day, his reaction confirmed everything they feared. Yes, sir. Hey, this is Corporal Riz with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. Yes, sir. Hey, who am I speaking with? Cody Goldman. Hey Hey Cody, this is Corporal with the Sheriff's Office. How you doing today, man? Not doing too good, man. All right. Well, we were trying to get a hold of you yesterday, but you weren't home. My My I was home. I saw my when And my phone they say y'all found it in the ditch, but it must have fell out of my pocket or something when I'm, you know, it scared me. So, I I I ran down the ditch. And then I seen the officer at the corner of this thing. And like, I didn't know it You know what I mean? She just She was playing in the front yard and then she ran down the ditch. All right. So, Yeah. So, Cody, um would you be willing to talk to me in person? Nope. Because y'all say y'all issued a warrant out for my arrest. I'm definitely I'm not going back to jail. I don't want to go to jail. I don't deserve to go to jail. I don't understand I don't mind talking, you know, but the last time they tricked me. They They took me I I I don't I So, listen, I don't know So, Cody, can you hear me? Yeah. All right. Well, let me just explain something to you real quick, Cody, real fast. And then And then I'll I'll I'm going to jail. I can't go home. Well, hey, man. Let me explain something to you real quick, Cody, okay? Cuz I understand you you reached out to another deputy cuz you wanted to talk and I appreciate that, okay? But Cody, just because of the the allegations of what's going on, I just want to make you aware that you understand you have you do not have to talk to me, correct? I know, but I want to I want No, no. I I know I legally have to say this to you there, Cody. That's all. I got I'm I'm just trying to be sure I do my job the right way. So, you understand, Cody, you understand you don't have to talk to me, right? And you can hang up at any time. Do you understand that? I do. With that in mind, are you willing to speak with me, Cody, over the phone? Yeah. I'll talk I'll talk. But I I don't want to go to jail, man. My wife My wife is leaving me. She's leaving me again. Cody claimed he had lost his phone in a ditch and refused to meet officers in person, insisting he'd been tricked into arrest before. His excuses didn't fool anyone, but officers decided to play his game to lure him into a false sense of security. >> So, Cody, let me ask you this, man. What What happened yesterday? What hap- What happened? All I did She was playing right there in the driveway. Like my buddies just left from going to the scrapyard or whatever, you know. And >> [music] >> she was right here playing in a little sand pile out front. And then she moved over there to the ditch. Well, I had to walk around because I can't just cut through my backyard, you know. Okay. Through the fence cuz I don't got a gate. So, I She was right there by the ditch and was in stuff playing at that time. Okay. So, then I I walked around because my wife saw the dog close to it. It scared me for whatever reason. I've never done anything to harm this poor dog. Yeah. But it runs, you know, he's scared of most males. Okay. And he got out down the road. He ran down the road. So, I wasn't even trying to run him. You know what I mean? I I tried Coast to Coast to and then I come back like I was literally probably 20 ft somewhere, you know? And then sheesh, I looked up down I'm like, "Damn, I don't see her." >> [music] >> So, and me and my wife was just texting at the time and stuff, you know? And I mean, you can go back and look on the phone and then I was like, "Oh, settle down." I called her [music] right away and said uh here's I went upstairs and looked, you know? Last time [music] I seen she just went to my kids bus stop, thank god, but she Yeah. I I followed all of her feet tracks >> [music] >> down the ditch and then I heard them and so I wanted to let my wife know, you know, like hey, the the officers down there at the corner of the road, go talk to them, [music] you know? And Okay. And that stuff and um yeah, she just she just ran down the ditch and I was following her feet tracks. If I hadn't turned around to go talk to the old lady in the driveway, then I would have [music] I would have caught her in time, you know what I mean? Instead of showing concern for his daughter, Cody fixated on avoiding jail, twisting his story at every turn. The more he spoke, the clearer it became. This wasn't a scared father, but a man desperate to escape consequences. >> The dog took off, he went to catch the dog and then when he turned around she was gone. Yeah, she is what happened was she went down the the drain to a little bit Yeah. and then through my neighbor's house, there's like they got both of them got fences, my neighbor's. Yeah. So, there's like a little pathway in between the fences. I'm I'm assuming that's where she came out at and then the neighbor on the corner or whatever neighbor close to the corner um called it called you guys and cuz I guess I seen the white car trying to to take the people a car full of people in a white car, so, you know? So, so you saw you saw a car full of people. Why didn't you try to No, no, no, the the man the man already the the man on the corner or whatever already had him, so that's what I'm trying to you know what I mean? He he said these people I guess these people were trying to take her. That's that's just the rumor on the streets and that's what the old lady said, a car full of people. Oh, so you So, okay. No, no, but okay. But no, no, only tell me what you saw, not what you heard. So, did you didn't see any of that? That's just uh what you were told by someone else, correct? Yeah, yes, yes. Okay. Um Which way did your dog take off when you were trying to catch your dog? Where did your dog go again? Uh Well, he goes to my neighbor's house directly like right behind me. Um his name's But opposite opposite of the ditch bank cuz you would have saw your direction. Right, right. So, all I did was step out in front of my driveway. I walked out the ditch to the dirt road. Okay. And Costa was already running around the corner like headed back south on the dirt road, headed south again, you know? So, >> Yeah. I already knew where he was going, so I turned around and like in 3 minutes. It wasn't even that, you know what I mean? So, let me ask you this. Why didn't you call 911? I said I don't I don't have a phone. I mean, I do have a phone. I do have a phone. Yeah, I did. Well, at the at the time you had a phone cuz you were talking to your to your wife. >> right. I I didn't mean to. I'm so used to not having one. I literally Yeah. But um yeah, so I I didn't even feel the need to call 911 because she didn't go far normally, you know? Well, how did you know you're located? [music] I seen the officer. Or Brandy she went around the block and then she came back and then we both was in the middle of the dirt road. I was on a bike [music] and she was in a car and I seen the officer down there talking to the neighbor and then my wife went down there, you know? Okay. >> [music] >> To talk. But you see how it looks though when you >> It does. I know the family there. >> you never called the police about [music] it. You didn't you didn't you didn't come out to say, "Hey, listen, I stepped away for a minute, she disappeared." Instead, you you left your phone in the ditch bank >> [music] >> and then you took off. >> No, I didn't I didn't leave it in the ditch bank. It was I must have fell out of my pocket or something, but then Brandy See, I get nervous when she said, "Well, they said I said I called her my own wife on the phone and she said I said, "Is there is everything okay?" She said, [music] "Well, no, not everything's okay. You got a warrant out for your arrest and blah blah blah." That shuts me down, man. I go into hiding when that [ __ ] happens. [music] I You know, I don't I don't I've been in locked up most of my life, so I don't I don't want to go back and I'm not trying to go back. On May 12th, 2025, after a week on the run, deputies finally located Cody William Gobel hiding in a parking lot in Vero Beach, where he barricaded himself inside an office, cursing and refusing to come out until officers forced the door open. During his arrest, deputies seized 6.19 g of substances from him, turning a case [music] of into one involving narcotics and resisting arrest. All three children were placed safely with relatives, while Cody was booked into the county jail with his bond set at $17,000. [music] Those people didn't deserve to be parents and neither did this mother who slept soundly while her toddler wandered the dark cold streets. He woke up in mom's car, he was alone, the car was turned off. We're looking for his mom and she used to live in 102, that's where he was knocking. The officer woke up um David said woke up in a car that was turned off. What? What? I was in it. Oh my god. On February 25th, 2023, officers responded to a 7-11 after a toddler wandered into the store around 2:00 a.m. in freezing weather. The child told them his mother had left him in her car and forgotten about him for hours, leaving the officers no choice but to take on a parenting role for the boy. Do you know where he lives? No. He's going to show me where he wants He says he wants some warm up first. Thank you. Okay. He says he was in mom's car and he came from here. Oh. Show me. Well, He didn't eat much. I I would say I would 2:00 How do you know his mother has left him What if he's allergic to something here? Oh. Yeah. How's it going? Sorry. No, it's okay. All right. That's good. Yeah. You're not allergic to nothing. You sure? Yeah, are you sure, buddy? Cuz a lot of people are allergic to that. That mine? Yeah. Oh, I'll take it. I'll come back and get it. You get tail from the black car? He said his mother Thank you. Thank you. What up, bro? Good luck. Well, if my car is locked, then Do you SROs have contact or access to their stuff at home, I mean? I'm not sure. I may have to use you cuz you got a car seat. Do you need a car seat? You know, do SROs have access to their stuff at home? They do. Um what school you go to, bubba? Lincoln and we live Southside. All right, let me let me close the door. I'll tell him to be careful, you okay? The only problem I have with putting him in the backseat of your squad is I want him up front to show me where he lives. But I don't want to have him in the front. Uh we'll figure this out. What's he saying? He just He woke up in uh his mom's car. You guys said it came from that way. Can you head that way and see if there's a car door that's open? He woke up in mom's car and he was alone, the car was turned off. Do you have mom's name sound like something? All I got. Okay. I'll be right behind you. You say you go to Lincoln? Okay. All right, buddy. We're going to need your help. You got to look out the windows and tell us which way to go. Okay. You live over here in these apartment buildings here? Yeah. So, you go in there. Okay. Okay. You're looking Oh, my mom's car car is so and Let's try to remember where you where mom's car is at. It's like that. You with the fire sign on it. It's over there by by the store with the fire sign on it. Do you know what color car mom's what color mom's car is? Silver. Silver? Okay. It says it's a truck. That's what he knows it is. Okay. What this one here? This one's not mom's, is it? It is. This one's mom's? That's mom's car? The deputies had a hard time understanding why a 9-year-old boy would wander so far off from his mom's vehicle. Now that they had located the mom's car, it was time to get a few answers. Is it locked? Yeah, it was. It was locked. I was front door was. This doesn't look familiar? Yes. My my apartment is across the In that building right behind us? Yeah, I'll tell you what, pull up the screen. I don't know the apartment is across the street. Okay. Ah, there we go. Hi. Hi. He's saying this doesn't look familiar. He said it's across the street. Over there? The plate came back here though. The plate? Um She's in the house and she comes back here. Well, what apartment? She said your number is 104. But it's not here. We had a call through a 104 on 28th of January. That's a different one. That's Sparrow. That's his 858. >> Yeah. Let's go to 858. Um I'll walk over there. Okay. All right, then. I'm going to go back. Hey, bud. Okay. Instead of finding answers, the deputies were left with even more questions as the truck the child identified seemed to be locked and empty. After that, the responding officer decided to go door-to-door to find the careless mama. Hey, long time no see. Sorry. We got a a little kid here and we're looking for his mom and she used to live in 102. That's why I was knocking. Where do you Where's his Where's he live at? Across the street. >> Okay, we're going over there. We're trying to make contact with mom. Last house was right there, so that's why I was knocking. So. Yeah, he's like 6 years old. I don't know. That's what we're going to find out. Is Is the the building to your left? Did Is it Is that where mom stays? No. No. So, is the building to your right where mom stays? Is it Is Is that your home? No. No. Okay. Oh, she lives over there, but just in that apartment. She She lives in that apartment over there? Uh-huh. In the In the big building to your left? Mhm. Okay. Then you think your door number is 104? It is. Okay. You just found my apartment. I just found your apartment? Mhm. What's that? I'm getting someone on the phone now. What's going on? How you doing? Good. How's it going? I don't know where she's at. You don't know where she was? Okay. Last thing I knew she was across the street. Okay, yeah. That's where her registration comes back to. It's all set they don't live there. He said he lives across the street. Well, that's what the guy that lives in 102 said. Yeah. He He's the guy in the wheelchair there. >> Yeah. He said that she lives across the street, so he thought it was this building. No, no, he he he right. He's finally coming here. I got to get him to Shay. You guys are trying to call him right now? All right. Do you have a phone number just in case I can't get a hold of her? If If If you can't find her right now, I need to have a phone number. I get that from you guys? No, you can't get possessed by candy. Possessed? I don't How How so? Because if you like it too much and and you smell it, you might like pull out like your eyes out. They're like easy. It's your first time eating this week? Mhm. When is the last time you ate? I ate many times, but not this time. Mhm. Okay. Many times, but not this time? Mhm. Why would her car be over there? Was it warm? No. Almost makes you want to go over and look at the video at 7-Eleven [music] and see how long it was. I don't know if we'd see it. I don't know if that reaches all the way across. Maybe Thirsty's will work, but You guys want to get that camera off up there in that intersection. >> [clears throat] >> Is Is Is Tory Is Tory your brother? Yeah, he's 17. He's 17? Mhm. Okay. Wait, how do you know that? I'm just with I I I can I can look stuff up on my on my computer. I found brother in house there at 857 102. The child seemed to vividly remember his apartment to be 104, but officers found themselves in a predicament when a person at 104 refused to take ownership of the boy. Still, they continued to persist, not leaving the apartment, and that persistence seemed to work out in their favor. What's going on? Who's Shay? Yeah, you see I just woke up. Um Damien said woke up in a car that was turned off. What? What? You have a son, Damien? Yeah. Damien? He was in my car? Yeah. What the Who was in your car last? I was. When was this? What? He was just But I could have sworn he was just here. Call her Uncle Froggy. They said they just talked to him in the wheelchair. He said he was here yesterday. Yeah, I talked to my uncle. Yeah, they said he told us he stayed I got him out. He was. Let me get my coat. We're We're bringing him right over here. He's just across the street. I can't Uncle Froggy help? >> No, he's in our squad right now. Can he go squad car? Come on. He's coming in. We're bringing him to you. >> Okay. What kind of can't What kind of candy do you got? Kit Kat? Yeah. No. So, when was the last time you were in the car? I was in my car. What time is it? It's what? Three. Yeah. Almost 3:00 in the morning. >> Quarter to 3:00. The last time I was in my car I came back from Walmart. Okay. That was like 10:00 a.m. Okay. Okay. Yeah, my uncle came over here and everything. Was he with you when Yes, we went to Fun Night and then I went to go get something to eat and then went to Walmart. And I came back. Where you been at? I was in the car and I was asleep. He was in my You fell asleep or something? Yes. I could have sworn he came in with the He was up ordering everything out the car, pulled one of my kids out the back. I don't even remember hearing that at 10:00. Huh? You got back here at 10:00? Yeah, and I pulled up right here and let all my kids out. If [music] he was sleeping in my car, I wouldn't Which car is this? It's a Dodge. It's the one that's It's parked across the way? At the Quick Stop. Yeah. That's my car. So, you pulled up, dropped all the kids off here? Yeah, and then I pulled and parked our car where my daughter parked the car and we walked over over here. And I went to the back and went to sleep. Okay. Yeah, he was at 7-Eleven for about 10 minutes before they called us. If you want to ask him anything, we can. He said he woke [music] up, he was all alone and he was cold. This is who was in the car with you. Okay. So, y'all can ask This is my daughter. Who was sitting next to her? Okay. I don't know. I got stuff all [music] in my car. Um And y'all was I had my three little kids in the back and she was in the front seat. Okay. But y'all can ask her if she was just knocked out. If that heartless mama had her timings right, the child had been left unsupervised in the freezing cold for almost 4 and 1/2 hours. And instead of feeling shame over her actions, the mother instead blamed her daughter, who wasn't even driving the car. You saw him walking with you? I don't know. He was in the car last coming back from the school. Coming back from the school? Yeah, cuz we went to the school for baseball. Okay. And where did you go after that? Uh here. Where did y'all go before we came here? Oh, no. We went to Walmart. Okay. And then we came here. Do you remember seeing him get out of the car? Yes, I did. Okay. Yeah. 10:48. Well, we're going to have to check the cameras. I I believe that there's going to be some surveillance cameras at It's not this little parking lot here. Well, um Yeah, there um Thirsty's will reach all the way over there 7-Eleven. But you're You don't remember him coming in? I don't remember seeing him myself come in. I just assumed that all my kids is in the house because I've never [music] not got them all out the car before. So, Yeah. and then by me running in and out with the stuff, I just assumed that he got out of the car. I didn't know he was still asleep in my car. Yeah. And then we all was in the house. My uncle even came over here and everything. I had no idea. I Everybody when I asked where the boys were, everybody said they was in the house asleep already. So, All right. Um The mother had the audacity to paint the scenario as an accident when all it did was showcase how unfit she was to be a parent. Fed up with her excuses, the officer decided to deliver her the finishing statement. I don't know what the outcome of this is going to be. There's a potential that you could be charged with endangering the health of a child. He may need to be been >> [music] >> sleeping in the back of a van possibly for the past 5 hours. In the backseat of my car or my back cuz my trunk has boxes, these moving boxes in the back of my trunk. Okay. I get that. No, I'm just I'm just saying that's that's a potential, okay? I do have to notify [music] DCFS of what happened tonight, so they'll probably be in touch with you. Um is this a good address for you right now? Yes. Okay. All right, I'll be in touch with you, okay? All right. All right, thank you for bringing my boy to me. No problem. I was scared. Yeah. I appreciate it. Mhm. Okay. All right, thanks, Shay. Her car is right here. That car? Yeah, the car that he came out of. It's parked right here. I'm not going to be able to see it. Do you want me to come back and pay for that kid, Kat? I don't have my Are you sure? Yes, I want to pay because he was crying. >> sure? So, yeah, I'm sure. Because I want to buy for him because he was crying, so then you reminded me oh oh don't give anything which is allergic. Yeah, yeah, I thank you. Thank you. Sonic what? You want to leave all your property with her? You're going to be in and out in like 10 minutes. Completely up to you. I got to search you when you get in here. You don't really don't need anything. You want to leave your phone or that? Again, you're going to be in and out. April 14th, 9:00 in the morning over in Sycamore is where you need to go. This is what you're charged with. So, that's yours. I need two signatures from you. What is that? Stating that you are going to comply with the stipulations of bond. Can't leave the state of Illinois without permission of the court. You got to give written notice to the clerk of the court of any change of address within 24 hours of such change, and you can't break any more laws while you're out on bond. If you do do that, they could revoke your bond, and you could be charged with violation of bail bond. Okay? I don't have any papers. I don't have any paperwork. I don't have anything prior to traffic. I don't have any cases with DCFS. As I've never had a problem. I have nine kids, and I've always had my children. For my son to not get out the car and get under a blanket and me to see other coats in the house is ridiculous. To say that I saw the look on his face. Any child in that situation would have had a look of panic in their face. But, to say I felt something for that child and to charge me and I've never had any of never been convicted of anything is redundant to me. It's really stupid because now things are going to get harder. And if you really cared about my kids and how the situation went, why couldn't you charge when I've never even been in trouble? Do you want to read what the complaint says? It's It's hearsay. In the end, the woman was charged with endangerment. That mother was definitely evil, and so was this mama who didn't notice her child missing for over an hour. I've never seen this little kid. What do you keep pointing to? This one? They found her? Are you mom? Yes. Okay, so who was supposed to be looking after him? Me. That's me. On April 1st, 2024, officers received a call from a woman who had found a 2-year-old by himself with no parent or other adult in sight. The officers were dispatched to the location to assist the young boy in getting back home, unsure of how long he had been alone or what had led to him being on the street. And he was on the officer's side like in my window like this. So, I got out and he was like shaking. No, he wasn't in the car. No, but he was like looking at you. >> in the car. Okay. So, I was like, oh no. And then he like was crying a little bit. So, I got out and he was like gave me a hug and everything. I said, "Where's your mom? Where do you want to go?" >> you live down here? And he pointed >> Do you live down here? Yeah, that's my house right there. >> Do you recognize this? I don't. I have actually never seen him in He tried to go in her house. Like I was like, "Where do you live? Where do you stay?" And my house is right here across the street on the corner. So, I walked him across and then he like pointed in and she was like opening the door cracked, just kind of peeking out. And he tried to walk in, but I haven't seen anybody. Hey, buddy. He's been diagnosed. Is he totally nonverbal? >> He tries to say something, but we can't I can't make out what he's saying. So, I'm saying at least two or three I'm right in the blue like Do you want to hit my foot? Do you want to shake my hand? And I'm right there with 44. And he's pointing over here. I've never seen she's never seen him on her street. Do you know your name? Found him in this area. Do you know your Do you know your name? No. When officers spoke to the caller, she explained that she had observed the little boy for 25 minutes hoping that someone might come back for him. At this point, the officers took over the search for the mother, but it quickly became clear that this wouldn't be an easy task as the child seemed to be nonverbal. Have you seen him before? I mean, just I'm saying it's a lot of kids over here, so he looks familiar. Okay. All right, come on, buddy. Okay. I'm having dispatch run through Okay. all six of these streets, so just to see if there's ever been a call before. Is this your house, buddy? Is this your house? That one? Let me get a good We knock on it first, bud, all right? Hey, man, can I borrow you for a second if you don't mind? Cuz you're young. Do you live down here? No, I live on 7th. Do you live down here? Do you recognize this one? No. >> No. Okay. All right, thanks, man. I appreciate it. You know, my son is Hey, dear. I know you're you usually know like everything that's going on, so I'm like I mean, maybe she knows she's home. Do you Do you seen him? Cuz you you helped us last time we were down here, so Yeah, I got a house full. So, that's Easter. I've never seen this little kid. All right, come on, buddy. That might make sense, actually. Is it over here somewhere? Possibly. The officers checked with nearby residents to see if anyone recognized the child. Unfortunately, no one [music] did, emphasizing that this search was like finding a needle in a haystack as the child could have wandered many blocks away from his home. Mike wants us bring him back there. Back to the station? >> Back to the station. Okay. Leave a unit canvas. So, I can canvas. Do you want to take back? Or I can take back, but he's going to start uploading to social media. Yeah, I can I can take the kiddo back if you want to do that. Do you have all your notes and stuff? >> I got everything. Yeah. Come on, buddy. Let's go back. All right, come on, buddy. The officers took the little boy back to the station while continuing the search on their own, allowing him to get some rest as they had no idea how long this search would take and feared that this could be a case of abandonment. They found her? Are you mom? Yes. Where do you stay? What's your son's name? Yash. Here, come over here, man. Is there anyone else at the house? Is it just you? Yes, it's it's um their dad's there right now. >> Okay, so who was supposed to be looking after him? Me. That's me. Okay. He just had been like 20 minutes ago. I usually leave my screen door locked because he opens my door and go out. This is the second time he's done it. And I caught him he was at the park. This was what? Yes- day before yesterday. Okay. He just started doing this. I don't I don't play that. My my kids don't come outside at all play with other kids. They're always in the house. That's probably why because he's always in the house and needs to get out. What's your name? Divasia. D E V A S H A I A I A R O W What's your last name? Yes. R O W S E R I got four kids, too. I It's not just him. All right, man. So, we're going to do we have him at our station. All right, so I'm just going to take you back, and then we'll we'll talk about everything there, okay? All right, so you want to hop in the back of mine? >> Um And we'll get you going. >> Can I let um um my baby's father know first? Yeah, I'll drive you I can drive you over there, and yeah, we'll we'll get it handled there, all right? If you want to get on the passenger side, we'll get on the passenger side. After nearly an hour of intensive searching for the child's mother, she finally showed up out of the blue. She was taken to the station to be reunited with her son. While the mother was relieved to see her son again, the officers [music] knew what had to be the outcome of this incident. All right. Divasia, I understand the you are going to be cited today for endangering children. >> [music] >> Now, before you freak out about it, you have your day in court, you can explain what happened, that you were busy preoccupied with the other kids. I am going to listen before you get upset. I am going to put everything in there about how he could possibly be on the spectrum and that we don't know, which would work in your benefit. >> Like this is like so not fair and like it's not fair cuz I'm not It's like Hey, sweetie. And and like you told me to, you went out trying to find him. You tried to You called. >> I was on the phone with Just just understand from our side, it was an hour. We were starting to put his picture online. We had a lot of steps moving to try and find you because we couldn't. Okay? This is not the end of the world. [music] At the end of the day, we are here to assist you. This is a simple go to court, make your case. They're going to read our report, okay? So you know, we do have to contact CPS anytime a child goes missing and we we reunite him with the family. That's why I was asking you the questions about home life. I don't see any issues as of right now with what you told me, but they're probably going to come out and just want to talk to you and say, "Hey, what's going on?" All the same questions I asked, but probably a little bit more detailed, okay? Getting discharged, it is [music] like not the end of the world. You have court on Wednesday. It's going to be at 10:00 a.m. >> a car. My car I have a car, but it's not even working right now. Okay. I have four kids. I I don't even have any help. So what I'll do >> transportation? So what I'll do and that's And And like I said, this is That's why you're not going to jail. I'm giving [music] you this. What I will do is I will write down Do you want me to write down the phone [music] number to the court and you can call them and say, "I have to show up Wednesday, but I don't have a ride. This is [music] what I got charged with. How can we work together?" Okay? And they do do that, okay? They might not know what you're talking about immediately because the [music] court won't have our copy of this until tomorrow morning. So maybe wait until tomorrow morning to call, okay? So like I said, they won't have a copy of this until it goes over tomorrow and it gets reviewed. But as of right now, your court date is on Wednesday the 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at the court. The address is listed right here. It's the one right across the street from Burns, okay? If you don't think you can make [snorts] it, call tomorrow morning. Call them. They always work with people, okay? Officer Hackney is going to take you home, okay? He's going to take the kiddo home. You guys can go together. Do you have any questions for me on what you can expect going forward? I know a lot of parents think because something happened and we have to do our job and we're stuck between a rock and a hard place, but they think this is the end of the world. They think someone's going to come take their kids. Like I said, I talked to you about his home life. He's going for The other kids are going to school. You're doing your job. You're feeding them. They have beds. That's all going in here. So I don't see an issue coming of this, but they do have to follow up just because and we've had an incident. So I'm going to ask you Do you have any questions for me of what you can expect going forward? No, I've been through um this before when my um oldest was a couple months old. So Okay. >> I mean I don't know how it goes. Okay. Then again, that's not saying you're a bad person. I honestly think in this situation, I mean with him being able to show that he can push a chair like and I will put that down. I'll be like, "We were talking about home life and he pushed a chair up to the door." And like I said, I mean on my camera that he has that capability to do that. And if you're saying by, you know, he's two and he's dressing himself every day, that shows a high degree of intelligence, okay? So um but Officer Hackney, if you wouldn't mind giving her a ride back home, um make sure she takes this with her and if she's got any questions, just answer them. Awesome. Those four, okay? The mother had a prior record of endangering the welfare after leaving a child unattended in a vehicle in 2022. Moving on to an irresponsible father who made no effort to look for his missing [music] child until the deputies showed up to confront him. He's two and a half now, so he knows how to like unlock doors. He just figured all that stuff out, so he just went out here. You have to realize I only saw him two weeks ago. He like grows so fast. Quick in and out and he's watching his ABCs on the Cocomelon cartoon and I didn't hear him and I guess he walked out here. He like, "What the hell's going on here?" So the baby was outside for 20 minutes on his own? At least. >> At least 20 minutes. On March 16th, 2025, the Florida Flagler County Sheriff's Department received a troubling call about a 2-year-old in a messed up diaper roaming the streets, but what they didn't know was just how bad the situation was. >> I was in the bathroom. Yeah, he's fine. We were out here earlier with him, right? Yeah. Yeah, we just got up this morning and then he He's He's two and a half now, so he knows how to like unlock doors. He just figured all that stuff out, so he just went out here. We don't even stay here, so You don't stay here? No. Where do you live? >> My My My parents' house is where he Where is that? Up at the the hammock. So what are you doing here? We just stopped here this morning. Where is here? The dog out. [music] My house. Uh I've been here before. I knew you lived here. At the time I stayed where I stayed with my mom, so yeah. You exchange your child here to your wife. >> Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Is she coming to pick him up today or No. No. Tomorrow. Okay. Why didn't you come out through this door that you went in when I saw you when I walked up? I was out there going out this way to see what's going on. No, I think you knew what was going on. I didn't know there was like a bunch of people here. No? I was just kind of assessing the situation back there. 2-year-old that was walking in the street and then you saw me standing in the driveway. I'm wearing a deputy uniform >> Brother, I'm just a dude with his kid. And then you won't open the door when I knocked 10 times. That That outside in the back patio. I was seeing what You came out the side over here because you just didn't >> I don't want any trouble, guys. I appreciate everybody's help. I I There's really not a big deal Do you have your ID on you? Uh yes. I just want to let everybody know that the the baby's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine. >> What's your son's name? I don't want any ish issue. >> Well, you have an issue. And then what's his last name? I only saw him two weeks ago. He like grows so fast and like >> The man, who was later identified as 44-year-old Ross Judy, was initially knocked out drunk and tried to nail the blame on his toddler, but things started getting really ugly for him when his neighbor began to talk to the cops. Y'all need to take that kid. Can you tell me what happened? About 20 minutes before we called, I saw the baby wandering around here. Well, I figured Ross was in his driveway. You know, I just said, "Oh, Ross is out letting the kid walk around." You know, there's not much traffic. All of a sudden, I see this this car slowing down, stop. Another one going, "Oh God." And I went, "Oh And I went out there and sure enough that baby was out there. 20 minutes later, he's inside passed out cuz he's a horrible drunk. That house needs to be condemned. Run me through what all what all transpired, Yeah, I got up. He had woken He had woken up. I had gotten up. He went to watch Cocomelon and do his ABCs. So he's in there doing his ABCs. I go to the bathroom like, you know, cuz sometimes you got to take a in the morning, you know? So I went to go do that. Normally it's quick in and out and he's watching his ABCs on the Cocomelon cartoon and I didn't hear him and I guess he walked out here. He must have been out here must not been too long or somebody spotted him and obviously when you see a toddler in the street, for God's sake, you're going to freak out and be like, "What the hell's going on here?" So the baby was outside for 20 minutes on his own? At least. >> At least 20 minutes. But it probably was longer because that's when you came That's when I saw him. Okay. >> You know, I went out back and I talked to the lady. I said, "Y'all need to call the police." I came back in. I called the police. They called the police. Do you know about the time that it was the from the time that you last saw him until Right right when uh the neighbor, Sharon, came over and brought him in, you know? So the neighbors I don't know if it was her. She said some other neighbor called you guys. Otherwise, she knew, you know, who he is. As the situation unfolded, things continued to look bad for Ross, but nothing prepared the cops for the level of revelation they were about to get from Ross's neighbor. So the baby was outside for 20 minutes on his own? At least. >> At least 20 minutes. But it probably was longer because that's when you >> That's when I saw him. Okay. You know, I went out back and I talked to the lady. I said, "Y'all need to call the police." I came back in. I called the police. They called the police. Do you know about the time that it was the from the time that you last saw him until Right right right when uh the neighbor, Sharon, came over and brought him in, you know? So the neighbors I don't know if it was her. She said some other neighbor called you guys. Otherwise, she knew, you know, who he is. She immediately brought him in the house and brought him to I'm saying, but do you know like the amount of time it was from the time you got into the bathroom cuz you weren't Oh, it was I mean He must have been out here just for a minute or two. I I know y'all can't do anything, but I'm going to find his the mother. But have you Has anyone ever reported to DCF? Not to my knowledge. Okay. No, he This is a first time anything's happened like this. Okay. I I know he's a drunk driver and I'm going to start calling on him every time something happens. I I didn't call, but I know he drives drunk. Okay. I mean has has any Has this happened before? No. No. No? Well, he drives a little Jeep. I got that modified Jeep that I made for him and he's used to being around the neighborhood collecting golf balls, driving around in his Jeep. So he's probably too comfortable around this neighborhood, but you know, this hour of the day on a Sunday, he shouldn't be out there at all, you know? Yeah. So yeah, it's highly embarrassing And then you said the front door was locked? >> Yeah, it was dead bolted, yeah. He could reach it, I guess. And I know y'all are going to let him off. I know your hands are tied, but I'm going to find his what the mother's and she needs to be aware that Ross let that young wander this neighborhood. She needs to do something about not letting him have that kid. >> Well, there's probably something going on, but I'm I'm sure she's >> but listen, Ross is full of dookie. He's he'll tell you anything. He lies. He lies. He's a gutter drunk. I know. My brother is a gutter gutter drunk. And and they're just and they're pitiful. They're pitiful. I don't I mean, I'm I'm stunned that Mr. Escape Artist here has managed to do that in the amount of time that he did. Yeah. Trying to think if she fell off. So, when the neighbor came over and notified you I was in the bedroom at that point because I had just went in there to find [music] him to make sure he was still watching Cocomelon. She comes walking in the house and I'm like, "What's going on?" Were you already awake? Yeah. Your uh cameras work? No, they don't. That one's just a dummy and the other one's a dummy as well. Well, that one actually does work, but it's dead. And there was another one, I think it's fallen down. They can't be left with children. >> Right. Two years. They got a pool in their backyard and you ought to see it. It looks like >> Did you guys go in the home and find him passed out? >> That lady over there >> went over there. Okay. I would have just called y'all [music] and let him sleep. Katie needs to know. The mother needs to know. >> to have to know. This isn't something that we're just going to let him off with. This [music] is her child, too. But it's a bad situation. At this point, the officers began to press Ross harder about the situation and that was when he suddenly began to get more agitated. His mom is local or what? No, she moved to DeLand, so we don't even see each other. I just pick him up to and from daycare. It's okay. Okay, we're going to be okay. We're going to take you away. >> So, you were in you're in you're you're >> to my master I went to my bedroom from my bathroom not realizing that he was [ __ ] outside. >> So, you weren't asleep or anything like that? No. No. And he was in his room watching Cocomelon? Yeah. So, how did he how did he get out? >> He he opened the deadbolt somehow. The deadbolt? Yes. >> How high is the deadbolt? >> About right here. He reached up and got it. You say about right here. Yeah. And he's about right here. He can reach. He can reach. Is there a step stool or something like I don't know what he did. I'm telling you, I deadbolted that door at night, of course. Father of a 2 and 1/2 year old. You think I'm not going to leave the deadbolt on? The door doesn't even latch otherwise. So, he's never tried to open this deadbolt before? No, we don't we're not here very often. We're not here that often. He stays most of the time at my parents' house when he's with me. For this very reason, cuz I have a pool that is un- unmaintained. Can't afford to maintain. >> So, why are you guys here now? Well, we we stayed the night here last It's my last night with my son. I wanted to just be with my son. That's it. I just wanted to be with my son. I'm sorry he got out in the street and I'm sorry the neighbors obviously obviously flipped out. She Well, they're saying he's been out here for over 20 minutes. So, that's my concern. >> of how long it was. I can't tell you. I don't know what 20 minutes is to other people, but it I don't think it was that long, but >> that's what they're saying, do you? Well, I thought he was in his bedroom watching Cocomelon for 20 minutes. It's okay, buddy. They're not going to take you away, okay? I promise. It's going to be okay. I'm glad that my neighbors helped out and I just want to move on and get the rest of my weekend with my son and because I'm just a dad who misses his little boy and I only get so much time with him. He's well-fed. We went miniature golfing yesterday. I'll I'll take you through some photos in my phone with which will let you know that he's a well-taken care of little boy. His pajamas don't match. That's fine. That's not our concern right now. Like I understand I understand. He's not in a He doesn't live here. He's not He's not even He's my son. He I only see him part-time. If this turns into something else, I'm never going to see him again. And it's not because of any domestic issue or anything else. It's because her and her mother decided that they wanted to move to DeLand with my son and say goodbye to me and take this baby and run with him. And I get him luckily because Katie, his mother, is decent enough to still let me spend time with him. I mean, how can I screw this up in 3 days a month or 3 days every two every twice a month, you know? I've I've somehow I've somehow managed. >> Okay, well, I asked you earlier how long it was and you said it couldn't have been more than a minute. >> minutes. I I didn't realize he was out here that long. I don't know what you said, but >> it's been over 20 minutes and who knows how long he was really out here because that's just [music] when she noticed him out here. Well, I remember when he woke up, I like I said, I thought that he was in his bedroom watching [music] Cocomelon. I could hear the music going and as long as the song is going, cuz I don't even have internet. I used to use my phone. >> diaper been changed? >> Uh last night right before bed. It's 9 It's [music] after 9:00 a.m. Just when the cops demanded to see inside his house, Ross quickly activated full defensive mode. But with the cops, Ross had little or no option. >> the next step here? I don't know. We're just standing here. We're waiting for them to Yeah, okay. I'm not over there, so All right. I'm ready to just carry on with my day at this point. Well, it's not something easy to >> I know I know I know I know. I understand. So, based on the totality of the circumstances, do you mind if we just go inside, double-check the welfare of the living situation? I know We don't live here. He does not live here. We were just stopped here last night and we ended up staying here. I know, but he's your child. You said you you have him for a certain amount of days. >> I'm not okay with that. Because of the fact that I have a dog that's not well. Smells bad. He's got an ear infection. Well, we're worried about your son, not your dog. Right. Right. So, if a child is staying here, no matter if it's for a day or if it's for 6 months or a few hours there needs to be some sort of uh We we camp out in my truck most of the time. the child. You camp out in your truck most of the time? Well, like a lot of times with him, we just hang out in my truck. I try to spend as little time here as possible. I don't even meet my ex here to transfer the child on most occasions cuz it's midway. Well, because of everything that occurred today, we need to check out the welfare of the home. I don't want anyone coming in the house right now. And why is that? Because I I again, I've been staying with my parents. I normally stay with my Okay, but last night you stayed here with the child, right? Right. And this is your residence. We spent a few hours here between like 10:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. That's a long time. So, does he have a like a bed? Yeah. Okay. Can you confirm that just the living situation of Yeah. I carried him in and he stayed in his room. Can we confirm that he has like a proper bed? He has proper Ross, can you come over here for a sec? It's like I'm in trouble. Yeah. Yeah. What's grandma's phone number? 904 What am I being charged with? I need to grab two things before we if we have to leave I'm being arrested. My medication and my Hopefully my phone. Well, I got to take it first. What is grandma's name? They have my location. Huh? Please say grandma's name. Joyce. If I'm going to be in jail I'll have to get out. I have a I got a key to my work vehicle. Why is everybody so mad? Why are we mad? Do you see what your inside of your house looks like? Do you think that's proper living situations for a child? >> in the middle of a busy street by himself while you were while you were sleeping as a drunk. Good job. Good job, bud. Hey, how about some nuts? You need some nuts? Oh, good job, dude. You have a rusty chainsaw outside. You have nothing but broken glass bottles. >> on your >> is disgusting. No screen on your >> you're asked why I'm mad. Have a seat. Okay. Go, buddy. I know, he's going to be okay. Watch your head. There's there's no there's like no walking room in there. The smell in there, the flies in there. I'm sure it That house didn't just get like that over the past couple weeks. It's had to have been It had to have been like that when you were I said, "Get that house cleaned up." And he goes, "Oh, I am." He's got an excuse for everything. In the end, the toddler was rescued while Ross was charged with neglect, abandonment of a sick animal, and abandoning an animal.