He's very underweight, very behind developmentally. >> He's a one-year-old, a bit malnourished from what's in there. So stay in the social worker state. >> Some children endure situations so disturbing that officers know immediately something is terribly wrong. But what happens when the police become the only ones left to save them? >> We don't have permission. >> Okay. Well, he's going to sit there in a dirty diaper. >> I think he died there. >> You obviously don't understand that you're not in a position to care for children at the moment and it's unacceptable. >> This is just a messed up situation. Okay. >> I [music] just I I'm flabbergasted how and how it just keeps escalating. >> Shook him. Just like just calm down for me. Just calm down. Calm down. Calm down. And he just he wouldn't calm down. >> These were the moments when good cops rescued helpless toddlers from their nightmare parents. We begin with what first appeared to be a lost child, but soon revealed a heartbreaking case of a young girl abandoned in the heat by the very people meant to care for her, left without food or water. But why did mommy and daddy drop you off by yourself? >> Cuz they had to go somewhere. >> And did they tell you they were going to be back? [music] >> No. >> On April 4th, 2025, deputies from the Valuchia Sheriff's Office were called by a concerned woman who had found a 6-year-old girl wandering alone outside on a hot day with her dog. When officers arrived, they found the child sitting in a chair under a carport, exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. What initially seemed to be a lost child would soon reveal a troubling story of abandonment. So, you don't know if you live nearby here? >> You don't? Okay. You don't know mommy and daddy's name? >> I do. >> Okay. What's mommy's name? >> Um, Kana. >> Quana? >> But why did mommy and daddy drop you off by yourself? >> Cuz they had to go somewhere. >> They had to go somewhere. Did they tell you they would be back? >> So, you don't know? >> No. So, how long have you been here? >> Just for a minute. I just came. [music] >> I thought that you said that you've been here since morning. >> I woke up and I just came. >> Okay. From where though? >> The girl explained that earlier that morning, her mother and her mother's boyfriend had dropped her off near a nearby park. Hours [music] passed, but no one ever returned for her. Left alone with only her dog for company, she had been abandoned without food or water. The deputy's first priority was making sure the girl was safe before beginning the search for the adults responsible. >> These should fit you perfectly. Brand new. It's >> okay, girl. >> Here. Here. I'll hold her while you talk to her. Okay. >> Where are those wipes I got you? >> Um, so what about school? Are you in school? You're not in school? >> You're going to be homeschooled? >> Yeah. >> So, you never been to school before. And how old are you? >> You're six. >> They walked you to the park. >> Both mommy and daddy. >> And did they tell you they were going to be back? >> No. Okay. >> The police car. >> Yeah. We're going to take you for a ride. >> Would that be fun? Tell them. They better turn the lights on so you can see them. [laughter] >> All right, >> you guys good? >> Yeah. No, we just wanted to make sure she was okay. >> Yeah. >> All her vitals out. >> Okay. All right. You ready? >> All right, dude. >> What's your puppy's name again? >> Ghost. Ghost. >> Ghost can't ride in the police car, but you're going to see Ghost once uh once you get done once we get done with our ride, you'll get to see Ghost after that. Okay. >> All right. So, I'm I'll hold on to Ghost. She's going to ride with Deputy Martin. You want to walk up? >> Let's go see Deputy Martin. Come on, >> Deputy Martin. Where's Martin? Martin, >> are we going with you? >> Yes. >> This is Deputy Martin. He's my friend. Okay. >> You got to put your seatelt on. >> It somehow made sense to me. This kid on the sidewalk. >> We're homeless and we live in the forest. What does it all have to do with leaving a kid on the side of road? >> She got out of where she was at. Where are we staying at? >> Sit up like a dog kill. >> No, I didn't. >> I have no clue about >> I was trying to go get water. >> No, that's not what what I'm trying to >> I was trying to go get water and soup. >> We have just been going through >> You stand over here without >> Yeah. I'm sure after. And in the end, the mother and her boyfriend were arrested and charged with desertion of a child and abandonment of an animal. Meanwhile, the girl's grandparents were contacted and arranged to take custody of her, ensuring she would be cared for after the ordeal. Up next, a neighbor's call for a welfare check led officers to a home where two small children had been left to survive in conditions no child should ever face. >> Oh Jesus, there's a little kid. >> Yep. >> On February 18th, 2026, deputies conducted a welfare check at a house after receiving a call from a concerned neighbor. When officers arrived, they found the home in a condition they later described as something no human being should endure. The floors were covered with a thick layer of trash. Feces were smeared across the walls at a height matching that of a child. And a faucet had been left running, flooding part of the house. Jesus. When's your place? Anybody in here? >> Oh, Jesus. There's a little kid. >> Yep. Hey, buddy. Kids back here in the bathroom. Check that other room. I got a kid down here. >> The officers then found two children, ages four and five, left completely alone in these atrocious conditions. One of the children was attempting to eat raw meat that had spoiled and the other child was found curled up on a bedroom floor. I got to get back here. >> Are they okay? >> No. Hey, buddy. Hey. Hi. Hey. What the? This is Jes. Where you at? >> Where you at? >> We got two kids. One's completely naked and the other one's covered in. Would you mind getting a couple uh safety blankets so we get them wrapped up in the cars? Let's get one coming to check them out. Hey buddy, where's mommy and daddy at? >> 1707. Yeah. Can you start this way? >> 17. What is the number of occupants you have from ages? We've got two small children inside >> three and one >> probably four. >> Hey buddy, you want to go? >> I got cheesy getting them some blankets. We're going to pop in the car. >> Whatever's going to be closest to the cars cuz they don't have any shoes or anything. >> Hey buddy, can you follow my partner? Can you follow my partner out that way? >> As the investigation continued, detectives later discovered the children had been left to fend for themselves for several days while their mother, Crystal Farmer, used narcotics. The children were taken to the hospital and fortunately did not suffer major physical injuries. In the end, Crystal Farmer was arrested and charged with abandonment, seconddegree abuse, seconddegree abuse in the presence of another young person, [music] and lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation. Next, officers investigated a disturbing case after a three-month-old baby was rushed to the hospital with suspicious injuries. >> My child did not hurt her baby. >> I What's going on? >> Sorry. >> Sorry. Sorry. My son's heart rate is jumping. >> So, I just shook him. I hard shook him two like one or two times. >> On October 3rd, 2024, officers responded to a call in East Molen, Illinois. A 3-month-old infant had been rushed from a home to Peoria Hospital with suspicious life-threatening injuries. what the police were about to uncover would be far worse than they imagined. >> So, we're working on right now. I was wondering, do you do you live here? >> No, I'm It's my daughter you're talking about and she's in Poria with her son. >> Okay. >> So, >> so we got Do you mind if we step inside so I can kind of, you know, fool you on some situations? I don't want your neighbors to be involved or anything like that cuz I don't want her business to kind of go out to the apartment complex. >> So, at this time, like I'm I'll be honest with you, no one's in trouble. But when when incident like this happens, >> this situation, excuse my language, is really [ __ ] up to be honest because [music] my child did not hurt her baby. Neither did it. This is just a messed up situation. Okay. >> I just I I'm flabbergasted [music] how and how it just keeps escalating and I'm just >> And I I fully understand your frustration of that part. You know, it's it seemed like it's a traumatic incident already. >> Close that bathroom door. >> It's a traumatic incident already before you guys. I know you guys are going through a lot, but you know, for us, we kind of have to like, you know, follow [music] procedure, you know, cuz a lot of this is very traumatic. And >> I'm trying to fight it back cuz I got to take clothes back up. So, >> no, no, you're fine. However, you know, we're just we're just trying to figure out like kind of what happened and just rule out any possibility that your daughter or her boyfriend or husband [music] >> boyfriend. >> Okay. Boyfriend did anything. >> The following day, police went to the baby's mother's home. Instead, they found the grandmother. The officer explained he only needed to ask a few questions to understand what had happened. Andrea then recounted her routine from the previous day. >> I h you know cuz I get up in the morning. That's what she does every Wednesday. >> Okay. [music] >> And so she dropped him off. He was perfectly fine. Happy baby like he normally is. I got him out of his car seat. You know, he was dry. So [music] I changed I didn't change him. I didn't fed him his bottle. Okay. >> And he's smiling a normal normal kid like he normally is. [music] >> And after I fed him his bottle, he ate of course. So, I changed him and then we sat in the rocking chair, turned on some white music and just rocked him like I normally do and he went back to sleep. So, I put him in the play pen. [music] >> Okay. >> Like I always do and I swaddled him >> cuz he sleeps better. And I kept the white noise going. So, I turned on the TV because it kept me busy cuz I won't go to sleep with him, you know. >> No, I understand. >> So, I I've got I had her there too. She was Well, she's in her room sleeping with [music] the dog. I got her up. Yeah, she was getting ready and as she's getting ready, I'm taking care of the baby, feeding him again, changing him, whatnot. And uh >> he was normal and I mean, no crying, no fussing, just normal. So, I came here. [music] Um I called D. He didn't answer the phone, so I figured he was sleeping, but he had actually texted me actually [music] in the midst of all that. I had to just to see how his baby boy was doing. Okay. >> And I tried calling him back, but he must have been already asleep. [music] >> So, I tried calling him when I got here. He again didn't answer. So I just waited in the car until she got there, got in the back seat with him and took him out of his car seat, [music] you know, and held him and just, you know, gave him another bottle. >> So >> what what time was that at that uh you came back to drop her off? >> Uh probably about between 8:30 and 9:00 >> at night. This in the morning. >> Oh, in the morning. Okay. Okay. Okay. Sorry. No, I'm good. I'm I know how long you >> I'm just trying times in my head. >> No, no. And like for my record, >> like just trying to process everything cuz this this is just >> 8:30 9:00 when I got over here. Is that about right? Cuz we called you, right? >> I talked to you guys 9:30. >> Okay. So that cuz I was already here for a while before we called you. >> I was on with you guys at 9:30. >> Okay. So you you probably got here around like 8 8:30ish. >> All right. So I might have told the I might have told him wrong then when I left. So you got here around 8ish. You made a facetime phone call with him around 9ish. You left around 10ish when he was when Kay after 10. Yeah. So that she and then she settled down. >> She went and laid down with him and whatnot and with and D was laying in bed. Went down and they laid down and whatnot and then I left. Not sure >> you had already left around 10:00 at that point. And then >> and I had just checked in. >> You were texting her, calling her throughout like that time frame >> until she went to work. And then I had texted D and D had said that, you know, they're doing good. Um, that was sometime after 2:00 and they were doing fine that he was uh he was getting ready to lay him down for a nap and last I knew. So, I mean, as far as I knew, everything was fine. >> Andrea described what seemed like a normal day. She stayed with the baby, fed him, and said nothing unusual had happened. According to her, the infant was fine, but the police knew something had gone wrong, and that was exactly what they were determined to uncover. >> And then you left around 10:00. You said >> we left for 10. >> Okay. And then you received a phone call from her later that night at like at 6:00 around those hours. >> I got a call from him. >> From dad. And then Kaylee called me shortly. Like I was talking to him when Kaylee called me from the ambulance. >> And then uh so uh Brandon, you're Kayle's dad. >> Yes. >> All right, Brandon. So like I kind of mentioned before, I'm not sure when the FaceTime started as far as uh kind of why we're here. So, we got the uh DCFS report earlier in the week saying that there was a child that got basically transported from this residence. Um, and then the parents are involved and everything like that. Um, okay. >> So, we then got informed today that the child's going [music] to be brought to Peoria, like I'm I'm sure you're already aware of that. Um, and now, you know, [music] the things aren't good for the child. So DCFS, DCFS and local law enforcement when it comes to anything like that as far as child's, you know, child life or anything like that, we have to investigate. So I'm not saying that anyone's in trouble or anything like that. We're just trying to get the facts at this point. We're the fact finders right now. So as far as criminal charges, there aren't anything like that. I'm just trying to get like piece together what happened. So that's that's why we're here. Like I like I talked to Andrea before, like I understand this is a traumatic incident for you guys. I know all you guys are coping in your own various ways. >> Keep everything straight too when you're exhausted. >> And I and trust me, I hate being the guy that's asking you guys the same question a hundred different times. >> And and that's fine. And I've got phone calls and I've got records, too, of when you'd be at a certain place if that's ever needed. >> Okay, >> I've got it in my phone. You can have the phone record and see when calls were made if you need it. You can have locations. [music] I mean, whatever we got to do because I want this to the bottom of this how things have happened. >> Okay. Well, Brandon, I appreciate that. >> The officer explained to the grandfather, identified as Brandon, why DCFS was involved, assuring them that no one was in trouble. It was just a normal investigation. The grandparents appeared willing to cooperate, but now it was time to speak directly with Kaylee, the baby's mother. >> Hi. >> Hi, Kaylee. This is Detective Brazil with the East Mine Police Department. I'm with Officer Decker. So, like I told uh Andrew and Brandon, so no one's in trouble. I want I want that to be known. No one's in trouble right now. So, basically, we got contacted by DCFS about like the whole incident and your son um being transported to Poria. So, whenever there's an incident like that, we're required to investigate. So, we're like like I said, we're just here for the facts right now. Um >> you knew you knew that that we were going to have a detective contact us. Remember that? Well, yeah, but they they originally told us, you know, I thought they were going to come up here and talk. >> So, that that that's also going to go with my spiel right now. So, I am not going to talk to you over uh FaceTime or anything like that. That's not going to be my part. We do have two detectives that are going to come up to Peoria um to talk to you and talk to Is D there as well? >> Yes. [music] >> Yeah, he's here. >> Okay. So, they're going to just talk to both of you guys. Just basically more or less um what I kind of interviewed Brandon Andrea for. all the same questions, maybe a little bit more, and just kind of get the facts together of what we have right now. >> Wait, what's going on? >> Sorry. >> Sorry. Sorry. My son's heart rate is jumping. >> Okay. >> No, >> but Kaylee, I just wanted to make that real quick. I can let you go and then you can get back to the situation cuz I understand you have a lot. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Kayley, can you still hear me? >> Can you still hear me? >> Hear you? So Kaylee, like I said before, I'm just kind of giving you the peace of mind as far as like what is ultimately going on right now because I know you have a lot going on and with different like agencies being involved as far as DCFS and then police. I know you're kind of in the dark about a lot of things. So I'm trying to be as transparent as I can just letting you know that hey, I'm talking to like basically everyone I can in the residence talk to Andrea, talk to Brandon cuz obviously they were there. I'm uh then going to keep talking to like the neighborhood as well. Maybe they, you know, just kind of canvasing the area, see if anything's out of the ordinary. We're doing that just for documentation purposes if because right now no one's in trouble or anything like that. But when an investigation like this happens, >> you're talking to our neighbors. >> Yep. >> Oh, okay. I mean, >> we don't really talk to anybody. >> Yeah. It's just going to be one of those like has has there ever been like kind of like anything out of the ordinary conversations or anything like that? Just so we can say that we did our part. Um and then there are going to be detectives coming down to speak with you. So, at this time, we're getting a search warrant for the residents. Just see if there's We're just going to come inside. We've already been here before. Going to document anything that >> they're getting they're getting a search warrant for the residents. >> For what? >> So, at this point, it's going to be anything that would elude any physical harm the child could have experienced. So, it could be basically as far as like anything as far as blood, any bodily fluids or anything like that. So, [music] we're we're just here right now to just kind of do our part in the facts of it. >> So, like I said, like I said, Kayie, so it's going to be for like any blood, bodily fluids, or anything like that. >> Once again, officers clarified the situation, explaining that some of them would head to the hospital to speak with Kaye in person. For now, they needed to document a few details at the house. Meanwhile, at Peoria Hospital, other officers were already talking with the doctors about the baby's condition. and neurosurgeon and I'm the IC physician. So um at times it takes time to develop could it be days or could be could it be weeks but again uh there should be always a threshold even one time an injury occurs not necessarily that that's the first time it sometimes it can happen or sometimes it could be repeated thing where there's more volume so the head is like a kind of fixed box. It's whatever bleed blood or whatever comes in and it's it's going to create pressure. That's what we saw on the first city scan when we uh when the kid came 2 days ago. >> Um you have the emergency. >> Yeah. The kid could have died otherwise. Yeah. There was >> Yeah, >> absolutely. There was nothing else that intervention couldn't have done timely. Yeah. >> So when did that when did that happen? >> Two nights ago. >> Two nights ago. cuz by the time pupil was blown meaning there's so much pressure that brain is telling that hey I can't deal with this anymore so I had to open that up and relieve the pressure that was a life-saving surgical intervention >> if something bad happened like accidentally that doesn't make a parent >> I know I know but this all this looks really it's intimidating to children this age these are kids it's intimidating my children. >> It's intimidating, but I can handle myself. >> No, I try to make things as least invasive as possible because I told her my number one priority right now is to make sure that I have all the information so that the medical team has the information because if something happened accidentally and a parent is afraid to say, >> "Yeah, I'm not afraid to tell you guys anything. If somebody did it, if I thought either one of them did it, I'd sell them down the river if I thought either one of them did it because my number one goal is protecting that kid right there. That is my world. I text my daughter Snapchat every morning and I and his nickname is Squish. >> That's what she told the time. >> And I I tell him I go, "Squish, what are you doing?" 3:00 in the morning, I'm at work. I go, "Squish, what are you doing? Are you having a bomb? Are you being nice to your mom and dad?" Meaning, he's not keeping them up. My daughter [snorts] within 10 minutes always texts me back with a picture or a video of him so I know he's doing okay. And it's all nothing against, but it's usually my daughter caring for him. And um that's what I do every day. I text him at 3:00 in the morning and then throughout the day periodically I do the same thing just because he's my he's everything, you know, to me and his grandma. To me and his grandma. >> At the hospital, officers also spoke directly with the baby's grandfather, Brandon. He assured them that if he had known anything, he would have told them, emphasizing that his grandson meant everything to him. The conversation with the grandfather continued as police tried to piece together the family's story. and being told that I'm the only one that can be in here now and otherwise nobody else can be in here. That is very stressful because >> I'm sorry that wasn't done from the get-go. It should have been and then I got this and we were like, um, >> but why are we making that decision? >> So, >> because I have to explain it to my daughter's mother. >> Very simple. Super simple. Our timeline from that day going back 24 hours identifies three different people who were in contact with this kid. And because we're at the very beginning of the investigation, um, we do that to just be super safe. >> But my wife wasn't with him that day either. She's been taken off the list as a supervisor. >> Your wife? >> My wife? >> I don't necessarily agree with that. >> Yeah, my wife. I was told that your people told them that my wife was off the list and I was solely the only one that could be supervisor. They might have told the wrong person. I thought >> because my wife was originally made one, but my wife usually has them Thursday and Friday mornings till he picks them up. >> She should exife. >> Well, Kayle's mom is my ex. >> Okay. >> My my wife Kayle's stepmom >> is another caregiver. Stephanie Rosler. >> Okay. >> That's my wife. >> Okay. We'll sort that out later. My protocol is that anybody who was in a caretaking role in, you know, that day and maybe the immediate day prior, >> I haven't seen him since Sunday. >> That's what I was told. And you guys have never had a DCFS investigation before. Obviously, new parents, so >> it's not as scary as it sounds. Okay, I know this whole thing is scary, but >> DCFS is not as scary as it people may have made it seem. Okay, >> so what happens is we automatically get phone calls for head injuries. That's just a go. >> And then because of that, they automatically have to be called. That's a big thing. >> Um, so we always have to interview. We just long way away. We're here together. Interview you once together. Do it all together. So originally what was added was head injuries by neglect. >> Uh, when we woke up, it was watching TV. She put TV like a cartoon movie on for him to watch and we all watched it. Okay. >> Um I just know Monday all Monday and plus Monday night or Monday evening two night it was all just chilling in the room just >> Okay. >> hanging out and Tuesday and then Tuesday. >> Mhm. >> I slept all day until 9:45 cuz I had to work Tuesday night. >> Next, investigators questioned the baby's father, Deontinez. Just like the others, he insisted the infant was fine, but officers suspected otherwise. They were convinced the family was withholding important information. >> The only thing that's not checking out is what led up to cause these types of injuries. These types of injuries don't just occur accidentally. >> Um, and that's what we're trying to figure out right now is that something happened more so than what you're telling us. Okay? We know that you're omitting information. You're not telling us the entire truth. Okay? I think here's what I think. I think you're telling us part of the truth. Okay? And in this line of work, people tell us these little bits of information. Okay? Often times, people tell us 70% of the truth. Okay? I don't care about that 70% of that truth. I do care about it, but it's not the most important little bit of information that we have. Okay? >> I just shook him. I hard shook him two like one or two times. heart shook him just like just calm down for me. Just calm down. Calm down. Calm down. And he he want to calm down. So then I just rocked him. He was just like he he was calm but like he was still crying but in that calm voice. So that's why I got the patient around, went in the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, went back in the room and uh laid down. He was still like when I laid down in bed with him like he was still crying. I'm like like oh yeah like he was still crying. I rocked him again. Rocked him again. Rocked him again. I probably shook him again. Just one time. Shook him like, "Come on, baby boy. Just come on. Just go back to sleep for me." I rocked him and then he finally went to sleep. But I think I think by rocking him too much that's how he got here to sleep. >> So he did he continue crying after that or did he stop? >> He stopped. >> How much time passed between that point right there? The second time that you shook him. How much time passed between that and when Kaylee got home? >> About an hour or so. Hour and a half. And did he cry at all at that point in time? >> No. >> Did you look at him? Was he conscious? And and was he breathing normally? >> He was breathing normally. Yes, he was breathing. Yes. >> Was he looking around? >> Yes. Like he always he loves to look around. >> Yes. >> In the end, the baby's 23-year-old father, Dontinez, was taken into custody. He now faced a serious charge, aggravated battery of a young [music] person. Moving to the next case. What first looked like a simple medical emergency would soon reveal a situation where two toddlers desperately needed rescue. >> She said the kids had had lunch. The kids said they haven't had anything to eat up today. >> Your son's in a dirty diaper. Is there clean diapers in the car? >> Yeah. >> Do I have your permission to grab one out for him? >> You're not being a good parent. That's why you're under arrest. >> On October 12th, 2024, officers rushed to a store where an intoxicated woman had collapsed while shopping with her two toddlers. What seemed like a medical emergency would soon reveal a far more disturbing reality. >> They're right back up there. >> She is gone. Doesn't offer something. >> I think she was in town for >> She got two kids over here. Can't get anyone to watch the kids. The other medic got a hold of someone. Whoever was said, "I don't have to ask in my car. This isn't my problem." >> Are the kids okay? >> They're okay right now. I mean, they haven't haven't eaten until they're hungry, but they're not. >> She is looking at her. >> She pinpoint. She's straight her speech. She denies any medications, any alcohol. She denies any type of >> she can barely stay away. >> She said the kids had had lunch. The kids said they haven't had anything to eat today other than >> If you can't keep your eyes open, I need you to sit on the ground. >> Okay. >> Are your kids allergic to anything? >> No. >> No kind of peanut allergy? Nothing like that? No food allergies. No. >> Okay. >> Do you have an ID on you? >> I just used it. >> I have demographic shift. >> You just used it? How'd you get here? >> You drove like this? That was stupid. >> At the scene, the police officer was informed that the woman identified as Jennifer denied using any narcotics even though she was visibly high. Jennifer also claimed that her children had eaten lunch, but her son said otherwise. Now, [music] the officer was about to confront her face to face. >> What have you taken today? >> That's a lot. Every single one of us can tell by looking at you that you're high. So, what have you taken today? >> What? >> Very ready to lay down. >> Yeah, cuz you can't keep your eyes open cuz you're so high. >> I'll tell you again. I'm tell you for the first time. You started back before the hurricane. >> Yeah. >> We live in this house for 7 years. >> You're not going to talk louder. I can't hear you. Okay. I'm going to read this to you. Okay. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you? >> Exactly. >> What don't you understand about them? >> What's going on? >> Listen, you're having a conversation with me right now. >> I know. >> Oh, come here. >> He's going with him. You're >> Yeah, but why does he have my keys to my truck? >> Stop. >> He does not have permission to go. >> We're with him. He's fine. >> No, he doesn't. No, you don't have the right to take my son out of this. I'm trying to talk to you right now. >> Brother, you're separating his brother. You understand your rights? >> I don't understand my rights. Why don't you understand my rights? So have you taken my son away from his brother? Now you're taking all three of us apart. >> Oh, is it that son's responsibility to take care of his brother? >> No, but the three of us are together. >> He has severe ASD. >> He's fine. >> I feel like you're taking him as an adult out the store. >> We're not doing anything with him as an adult. >> I have the right to stay with my son. >> Right now you don't. >> My son? Yes, I do. >> Right now you're with me. You're being detained. >> Why can't I be with my son? Jennifer, you're being detained right now. >> No, I want to know why I can't. My son is one. He's severely autistic. You've got him over here crying. >> You put your children in this situation. So, you either need to sit down or you'll just throw in handcuffs. >> You're making me feel afraid of why you're taking my son out of the store. >> He's with law enforcement. What's going to happen? >> Yeah, but why are you taking my son out of the >> We're trying to figure out what's going on. You can't even stay awake or answer my questions. We're trying to figure out what's going on with you. I've been telling you the answers because so many different people and then you didn't let me talk to my son. That's not legal. >> It's perfectly illegal. >> That's not illegal. >> You watch too much TV. >> Come here, baby. You're helping, big brother. >> I'm sorry. >> Can I ask her a question real quick? >> Your son's in a dirty diaper. Is there a clean diapers in the car? >> Yeah. >> Do I have your permission to grab one out for him? >> I'll go get it for you. >> No, I need you to wait here. I'm not looking for anything else. >> I'll go get it for him. >> I just want to go in there for a diaper. >> I'll get it for him. Do you need to stay here and talk to her? >> I'll go get it for him. You don't have permission. >> Okay. Well, he's gonna sit there in a dirty diaper in a dirty diaper diaper. I'll buy him a new diaper. >> Jennifer couldn't stay engaged in the conversation and answer the police officer's questions. She also wasn't willing to cooperate with the officers who only wanted to help her children. But by doing that, she was only making her situation worse. >> So, you're separating all three of us. You're bombarding me. Nobody's listening to anything I have to say. You're taking my son out of the store. You obviously don't understand that you're not in a position to care for children at the moment and it's unacceptable and it's not >> and you can talk to the officers. I've been talking to Jonathan >> under child. >> Before we give you all of this, I need you to acknowledge the fact that I read you your Miranda warnings. >> Do you need me to read them again? I the thing is is that I don't understand big words. >> You can hire a lawyer or the court can appoint one to you. Does that make sense? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> You don't have any. >> All right. So, now that you understand each of these rights, do you want to answer our questions and tell us what's going on and why you're in this state? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Let's do that. >> Now, you can tell us what's going on. No one's going to answer. >> Don't start from like your childhood. Just tell us what what's going on today. >> We need to know what's today. >> October 12th or 13th. Sunday or Saturday really backs up to the storm is when I got a flat tire. We have been staying in a hotel. The reason we were staying in a hotel is we hadn't found a place to stay yet to live yet. My sister has position my dad's will. >> What happened when you woke up this morning? What did you do? >> I went ahead and got my fix and my tire. >> Okay. I drove over to because it wasn't enough. But I drove over to this tire place and I needed a new tire. They said it was going to be 60 bucks. They emailed me email. >> Mhm. >> They were all I know. I'm trying to think. >> You taking medication? >> On medication right now on my own. So their dad had a stroke. >> So their dad had a stroke. Okay. >> Oh my god. You know, my life, you know, did you pay? Cuz that's their stuff and they're they sent this from the year before that that other people bought and that I bought his dad bought. You know, what do you want me to do about it? And blah blah blah. He really stole from making it up to these kids that I really didn't know what lost but I wanted after I lost my days and I had like a ticket for like $100. >> Wake up. Wake up. Jennifer was led out of the store in handcuffs. As the minutes passed, she grew increasingly drowsy, struggling to respond to the officer's questions. For the police, it was clear they had reached the limit of her cooperation. >> I'm going to go get my car open. I'm just so tired. Like, I haven't slept because we've been sleeping. Suck. I haven't been able. The first time I ate my son about me eating sleep. Anything else for me or you guys think about me eating? >> All right. Thank you for calling me. They're going to arrest you. >> Don't do that to your kids. Don't do that to your kids. >> Because I Because of me, Jennifer, what's wrong with you? Go to your >> Because I want them to know what's going on. >> Your child is a child. Let him get a child to know that you guys are rushing me. >> Yes, cuz he knows I'm trying to protect him. I've been trying to provide. >> Jennifer, you and I both know that you are not just tired. You've taken something. I'm not stupid. I wasn't born yesterday. Get in the damn car and stop doing that to your kids. But he's doing good. But he has no one else to take care of. >> And you're not able to take care of him. That's why you're under arrest. >> The budget in right now to go home and go to sleep. >> You're not being a good parent. That's why you're under arrest. >> Just before anybody can just get a case. >> Sorry y'all day. I know you guys have more important things to do. >> This is more important than anything we were doing. The kids are more important. >> The kids are more important than anything else. I don't >> People can fight it out over gas. These babies can't protect themselves. There she's driving in that state with the kids, >> right? She doesn't need cheese locking. She didn't on the way here. >> So far, it sounds like they've been living in different hotels. They stayed in a He doesn't remember the name of it, but they stayed in a hotel last night. He said the last time they were in a regular home. It's been about a year. Mom does feed them. They just stayed earlier today. >> Yeah, they're screwed in the car. >> I really haven't got to get into like the and everything. >> Real quick, I start cleaning his hands and stuff. Do you guys want to take pictures or cuz it's poop under his nails so I need to >> Yeah, we'll take a picture. >> Let me see those hands holding that cell phone. >> Can you show me your pretty hands? All right. You're doing awesome, buddy. Thank you so much. >> I got both of them. >> You said uh you were saying your mom's training the house, right? What's that lady that you said? >> Heather. >> Heather. Yeah. Who's that >> person >> that has a daughter? A mom sister. your mom and sister. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Do you have anybody heathering the contact? >> Yeah. >> Let me ask you a question. Do you know the difference between a truth and a lie? Always tell you that the sky is green. Is that a truth or a lie? >> It's a lie. >> Okay. If I was to say that you go to Palm View Elementary, is that true or a lie? >> True. >> Okay. >> With their mother under arrest, officers turned their full attention to the boys. The younger child's hands were dirty, a clear sign of Jennifer's carelessness. The older son answered the officer's questions, giving them a clearer picture of what the children had been through. Does your mommy act like that normally? >> Kind of. >> Usually when she doesn't get that much sleep here. >> Has she been up for a long time? >> Yeah. >> Does your mommy smoke at all? >> It helps her like calm down. >> What does she smoke? Do you see what it looks like? >> Purple notes, just purple cigarettes boxes. >> Purple cigarette boxes. >> Yeah, she usually smokes like three different ones. None out of row, but she usually bottles them from strangers. Do you ever see mommy do anything else other than smoke? >> Not really. >> Not really. Okay. But who takes care of you and your brother? >> Me and my mom. >> You and your mom? >> Yeah. >> So, you help your mom out a lot? >> Yeah. >> Are you big brother or little brother? >> Middle brother. >> Your middle brother? >> Yeah. >> Where's your older brother? >> My 15year-old brother parents won't let the brother ever see my mom. Just me and my my brother. >> Oh, does he have a different dad? >> Yeah. A >> what about you and your little brother? Same dad. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Does your brother go to school? >> No. He stays home with mom. >> Yeah, cuz he can't talk. >> Okay. >> And there's no school. >> So when mommy acts like this, how often would you say mommy kind of feels like that and acts like that? Do you know? >> Two days. >> Usually a couple days. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Does it happen a lot or a little bit or not really? >> A little bit. >> Does your mom ever sleep for a really long time and leave you in charge of your brother? >> I don't know. Do you ever take care of your brother? >> Yeah. >> For how long would you say is the longest? >> Mostly like a few minutes. >> Okay. >> Usually gets on my nerves sometimes. >> Okay. >> I just give him just >> the hotel where you guys are staying at. Do you remember what it looks like or what it's on building with close to subway? There's supposed to be a cop like on a light. >> Okay. >> So, is it normally just you, your brother, and your mama? >> Yeah, usually my dad. Usually your dad too, but he's sick right now. >> No, he's not sick at all. He's just in surgery. >> Oh, he's in surgery. >> He just stays at Blake Hospital. >> Do you know your dad's name? >> Donnie. >> Do you know how old your daddy is? >> 55. >> He's 55. >> His birthday? >> No. >> That's okay. I don't know. >> Do you know what hospital he's at? >> Blake Hospital. >> Blake. >> We're going to try to get a hold of your daddy. Okay. >> They already did talk to him. >> They did. >> EMS did. >> We'll send somebody over to talk to your daddy. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. You okay? >> Yeah. You have any questions for me or anything? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What's your question? >> Uh, why did mom get arrested? >> I don't think your mom is probably doing her best right now. Okay. I think that you guys need to be taken care of a little bit better. >> Okay. I'm sorry that that that happened to you. >> Where are we going to be staying at? >> Well, we're going to go try to talk to your dad and see if we can get you to stay with either him or some other family. Okay. According to the boy, his mother was often like that, which was why he helped take care of his younger brother, who was non-verbal. He admitted he was worried about what would happen to both of them now that their mother was under arrest. The police officer reassured him, making sure he knew they would be protected. >> I promise you, we're going to find you somewhere safe for you and your brother to stay. Okay. I promise you. >> Mom makes jokes like he likes ice cream so much. >> Uhhuh. >> That he stole his roommate's ice cream. >> Oh, really? >> Not really. Your mom sounds funny. Can I ask you something? >> Yeah. >> When was the last time you and your brother had a bath or a shower? Do you remember? >> I don't really know. >> You don't know? >> Like we have been going to hotel. The hotel. The hotel. >> Uh-huh. Is that normal or is that just cuz of the storm? >> Not storm. Just we were staying somewhere in our truck. Then it got too scary for my mom. So, we went inside. >> Okay. >> Going to be on the way, but it's going to be a few minutes. I don't have a booster, >> so we can't transport the child over to the front desk and hang out there. >> Sounds good. >> That's where we're at. There's no sense of keeping her here. >> I'm [music] gonna call one of my guys come over here and maybe they can go into the store and buy the old man. >> Sounds good. And like I said, his diaper was sold. He's nonverbal. >> All righty. >> Thank you. In the end, Jennifer was formally charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, as well as two counts related to neg. Up next, officers respond to a troubling situation and discover a one-year-old baby showing signs of malnourishment. >> We came out and he [music] had this big forehead. >> I'm sure you're concerned a mom. >> I thought I knew [music] it, but I don't I don't know. >> Is his little belly sticking out? Is it [music] can I mean sticks out like that >> when he's constipated? That's just how Griffin is. >> That's [music] just how Griffin is. >> And I'm going to question you and I'm going to come hard at you at times cuz I want to find out answers. >> On April 6th, 2023, officers responded to a call to a hospital following a report of concerns regarding a young family member's well-being. Medical staff noted that the individual appeared in poor condition and was not meeting expected development milestones. >> Okay, so what's going on? >> So Griffin came in. He's got a big from about here down from his nose. Weird markings on his ankles. So that's what we call DHS concern of nonacal traumas. Um mom says that he woke up from a nap with the on his face. [music] Explains the ankles as eczema. The doctor said they look more like frostbite burns. Is this concern? Um they don't look like bruises. >> Mhm. [music] which you can see, we have pictures, too. It's not like a grab. They do look It's It's odd. So, they did a full non-ACL workout. So far, the CT [music] showed no brain. Um, he has large ventricles. He's very underweight, very behind developmentally, belly descended, like a malnourished belly. He does have a mass in his belly. So again, we can't rule out that there isn't malnourishment happening yet, but there is a cause of the [music] descent of his belly. I would say that was concerned. >> So he had an appointment in February. Okay. >> I'm a little concerned their lack of looking at this child cuz apparently they checked off all boxes for meeting developmental milestones. He's in an infant car seat. He's not meeting development. >> Right. Right. Right. >> Just ask the doctor. He's in the 25th percentile. So, he's in that lower, >> but it's not showing that on his medical record, though, is it? Like, >> I'm not sure how they put that in there or not. >> And he was 18 lbs in February, and he's lost 2 lb since then. We could go in there >> once we head that way. I'll have detectives contact myself and pull a number and >> kind of speed them up. They might show up just cuz it's on call. We'll uh figure out what's going on with mom first. >> According to the medical team, the baby's arrival at the hospital raised suspicion due to an injury that extended [music] from his head to his nose. The baby identified as one-year-old Griffin showed signs that something might be wrong. Further examinations pointed to his mother, 20-year-old Ashlin Forget as the main suspect. >> I'll just sit down. >> And then uh which one are you? Ashlin. >> Yes, I'm Ashley. >> Okay, Griffin being a little better. Hey, how are you? Lots going on, huh? All righty. I'm sure DHS has a couple questions they got to run through and I'm just here for their half. Basically, generally injuries like this, we make a case out of it just cuz how young he is. >> So, what's going on? We were called because there was concerns regarding potential malnourishment, the brute on [music] his face. >> The issue of the we woke up this morning at about 9:30 breakfast seemed to play the game and all that stuff and at about 2:00 we woke up and I went out to bed in the sle. [music] >> What time did you guys lay down for nap? >> Uh we laid down at about 11:45. [music] He came out and he had this big on his forehead and [music and singing] I was breaking out. So I called my mom and she told me. >> So I could tell you now just looking at it that looks more than just recent. It looks more than just the date. So it didn't just happen within the admin. So >> well I didn't sleep. >> So okay like I'm going to say the way he feel that's not recent. It would have happened within the last several days but it wouldn't have happened today with the coloration and all of that. >> Well I have a video of him from yesterday. >> Yeah that's what I was trying. >> And so he just woke up a random giant on his head. Where does he sleep? >> He sleeps in his friend and living >> who always around him. The only people that are ever around him are my roommate Cassie and my mom washed him on honestly Saturday. >> So what what's in his crib? Because like I said like that doesn't just happen. I >> at this point Ashlin's statements claiming it was just an accident did not make sense to investigators especially because the mark on Griffin did not appear to have been caused by a simple accident. >> That's not making sense to me. Uh there's a on his face. Uh seems like it's actually caused possibly a couple days ago. It doesn't look recent from what Jill's stating. Just unexplainable from forehead all the way down to the center of his nerves. He's a one-year-old a bit malnourished from what's in there state or the social worker state. It's just mainly the uh mother brought him in because she found him with the this afternoon. He woke up. She's saying she doesn't really know how it occurred. uh just placed a child to sleep earlier the day and then he just found him with a when he woke up. So, okay. So, I don't have too much on this. I mean, we're just trying to figure out why he's injured. It's basically it. I'm sure you're concerned as a mom. >> I probably but I don't I don't know. >> Yep. That's what we're trying to figure out. I'm not a doctor. Uh I don't deal with this as often. So, whatever she says is it's kind of just what I'm going off of already. He seems like he's taking a nice little nap. So, or at least laying there comfortably. I don't have a kid of my own, but I do have a lot of nieces and nephews. He is a lot smaller for a one-year-old. They're I mean, maybe it's just genetics or something, but >> his parents are short. [music] That's my thing. >> Yeah, >> both of us are very short. So, I get the >> Yes. So, I've always >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. It's just Yeah. I [music] mean, I mean, my my in-laws aren't that tall either. They're I'm the tallest. They're about shoulder width and still their kids are one year oldly a lot larger. >> My 14year-old and 12y old siblings are both. >> Yeah. Again, it's >> Yeah. It's it's almost because it's genetics. Again, we're just trying to figure out what's going on and this there's a whole process we go through in state of Iowa. That's just what they do with the DHS. >> Mhm. >> But I'm not surprised. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, you might know a little bit what what's going on and how they investigated. >> All I know is that DHS workers were calling in the home. Mhm. Mhm. >> There were this long investigation. They >> every so that's basically what we're going through. We're just going to figure out what's going on with uh Griffin here. >> Griffin's injuries were severe. Officers told Ashlin it was only an investigation, but her concern and fear about what they might discover were clearly visible. >> I'm basically just here again just to report and recorded. Um they're a mandatory report unfortunately. That's why DHS is here to make this and then I just make the case for them so they can just follow along with it. That's just how it is. a picture and a video from yesterday from your memories cuz that I know that wasn't there yesterday. >> Okay. Yeah, if you guys can find that, that'll be perfect. I'll I'll document that down. >> Perfect. >> Yep. I'll document that if you guys have it. >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> You know, you fell or something last like couple days. Maybe I'll take care of them. >> Sometimes >> no day care. >> Sometimes when he's in his >> crib. Mhm. >> He does get irritated. >> Okay. So, his soothing thing to do is to rock back and forth. >> Mhm. >> This is what he does. >> Okay. >> Um, >> which is normal for kids. I I rock back. >> Sometimes we'll sit too close to the back's crib and it's >> it's on piece. >> Right. Right. >> And well, his [music] pet, but every time I hear it, I go out and I move him away from the back. >> Mhm. >> But he always ends up being where he was. >> Okay, understandable. I'm going to go ahead and do pictures. [music] Do you mind are you okay with staying in here while I do pictures? Cuz I have to take pictures of of him as well. But the detective is coming down. Um so I'm going to hold off on finishing questioning um until she gets down here. [music] Okay. >> Ashlin repeatedly tried to prove that what happened to her son was just a simple domestic accident. However, the doctor's statement further raised suspicions that Griffin was suffering from abuse and >> um so he was 7 [music] kilos when he checked in and looking at his growth chart, he was 9 kilos 2 months ago at his pediatrician which 9 kilos is, you know, I think that was like the 27th percentile is what it was and he dropped to the 11.11 percentile. So that those two things like this with his significant weight drop was like this got to be [music] >> okay. >> And he was relatively good cardiac so heart rate was a little small. So instead of we knew a lot more >> and I'll get this from public what what brought that? >> So they [music] said just in the middle of the nap like mom didn't know went down he was totally fine and when he woke up he had this mark on his head. >> Okay. >> And who she checked in for. >> Okay. Um and so she had thought was unclear where it came from. You know, initially resident had thought maybe this liquid burn, which it doesn't to me. Um and I said the fact that mom had said there before nap, >> now it's there after nap. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. So anything else? So low heart rate [music] is that on back is that what is that indicative of? Well, so that so initially with the low heart rate in the on the forehead um he was drinking and fairly responsive. So that that makes me think of you [music] know when you have intraraanial bleeding that's smashing stuff. >> Um irregular breathing, [music] low heart rate again, >> high blood pressure is kind of big three that we look for. We didn't have the other tune but that low heart rate was like I think something right. >> So we went and did a CT and it was okay. We didn't show anything abnormal significantly abnormal. >> Okay. [music] Um and then kind of we were thinking, okay, he has his back and all this. I think this is um this is his feet also had [music] like this of >> Mhm. >> super cold and he was cold as well. He was 92° core temperature [music] >> was just way low. So all that kind of put together made us think what's going on with this kid that >> yes didn't show anything. The um abdominal team also did and that was shows an obstruction of unknown >> ideology. Um he was his stomach is super full [music] so it has a bunch of air in the breasts before we can get any answer. So I think the plan is to admit and [music] then recheck at some point but >> don't know what the obstructions from. >> Okay. >> Like a bowel check. >> So an kid that has not had a previous abdominal surgery, it's it's rare for an obstruction to occur in the first place. >> Okay. Um, and so deep, but >> yes. [music] >> We'll go in and finish with her. Um, the new answer. >> If he has any more questions, don't hesitate. >> Okay. Yeah. Say, I might grab you when we're done. If that's okay comes up and we'll clarify some stuff. >> Sound. >> The doctor's testimony became a crucial point. Intestinal obstruction, lack of weight gain, and abnormal body temperature further revealed to police the suffering Griffin was enduring at home. The arrival of another witness could make Ashlin's situation even more complicated. >> So, um, I'm in school and she called me probably about 3 to ask me if I could give her a ride to the ER, which I don't have a car at the moment. So, um, my stepmom had the car cuz she had an appointment and then I had a dentist appointment at 3:00. Then she went and she called one of my other friends and that friend came and gave her a ride. So, basically, that's how I got involved in this. And then, >> did you just meet him at the hospital? I got here at 1755. The last thing I wanted to ask you, when was the last time that you saw? >> Uh, the last time I saw was his birthday party, aside from occasional FaceTime calls. >> So, when was it on his birthday? >> Yeah. January 15th. >> Okay. So, cuz I'm It's hard getting there with cuz I'm in school. Um, the last FaceTime was today and then before that probably a couple weeks ago at best. >> Okay. >> I've seen occasional snaps on Snapchat, but that wasn't that big yesterday. >> Like there was it was probably like there was one like that big like just a little bit of discoloration, but that's like >> um it was just on his face. It just He's [music] a very pale baby. He always has been. >> Picture or >> It was a picture. Yep. She's got a bunch of them. from yesterday as well. >> Do you have the picture that she saw? >> I don't. It was on Snapchat, so it just it automatically went away. It was like even in some of the pictures she has, it's just a little bit of uh discoloration, but it's not >> as like that. >> Investigators decided to question Ashlin in a separate room. She answered their questions calmly. But when details about the environment where Griffin lived began to surface, the investigator's attention was drawn even further. >> So, where does Griffin go most days? Is he with you? Does he go here? Does he have >> He's typically with me >> with you. Okay. Now I am unemployed. >> Okay. If you can't watch them, who would? If you have an appointment or >> need a break or whatever it might be. Okay. When's the last time mom watched him? >> I want to say Saturday. >> At her house or she came to yours? >> At her house. >> So he went over there Saturday, spent the night home on Sunday. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Since then, has anyone else watched him? Does Cassie ever watch him or does um >> No, no one else. Okay. So, tell me just a little bit about Gerard. Is he How is he? Is he a good baby, a fussy baby? Okay, we we saw he's a good sleeper, so you got that going for you. >> Um, he is typically very happy. >> Okay, awesome. >> He's typically like laughing and giggling and there's only like two toys he likes to play with. Other than that, he gets into everything else. >> Okay. Is everything that's not the toy that seems to be fun, right? The only thing that comes with it. Okay. How is he? Is he walking, crawling, cruising? What's he do to get around? >> He is crawling right now. >> Okay. He's taken his first step, but he's not quite to >> not like off on his own. Okay. Well, he do like, you know, like pull up and stand up on the couch and then kind of cruise around on that. Okay. >> How many bedrooms is your apartment? >> Two. >> So, you share with Griffin? >> My bedroom is too small, so he has like a little section in the living room. Oh, >> okay. >> Just to [music] himself. >> Okay, perfect. What is he? A crib or a pack and play or a bed or a crib? Okay. He woke up from our nap at 2:00. So that's when I went out and saw a big spot [music] on his forehead. Whoa. >> So So let me pause you real quick. Does he take his nap in his crib too? His nap in his crib, too. >> I don't bet you're too That is That is great. I didn't know, especially with Cassie, if it was a problem area. >> No, it's not. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, he took a nap, got up about 2:00. Did you nap, too? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. Did he wake you up or did you wake him up? I woke up beforehand. Okay. >> So, I woke up like 30 minutes beforehand. >> Okay. >> And then I heard him crying, >> which technically means that he's awake. >> So, that's how he lets you know. >> Oh, yeah. >> Ashlin's statements did not align. At first, she claimed Griffin had hit his head during a moment of agitation. But as the investigation deepened, her story began to change, revealing another side marked by failure to meet basic needs. >> So, about 2:00, you he starts fussing. You go out there and tell me what's going on when you get to the crib. >> Well, I get to the crib. I see like some red spot on his forehead. So, I moved his hair and it was like from his hairline to the bridge of his nose. I'm like, "What the fuck?" >> Right. >> I got him food because he was to eat. >> Okay. What do you have? >> I set him down and then I call my mom. >> Okay. >> I'm like, "Mom, look at his forehead. What do you think of this or should I just take him in to the ER because I I don't know what to do. I'm a first time mom, >> right?" And she's like, "Take him to the ER." >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you got him up. What What did you give him for a snack? >> I gave him Cheerios. >> Okay. Did he eat him? >> Yes, he did. >> Okay. Did he have anything to drink? Did he have his juice? >> He did have his juice when I put him in his snack. >> Okay. >> And then after we drank that, I gave him water. >> Okay. Okay. So, he ate and drank just fine. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the crying when he woke up, was it his normal like, "Hey, mom, I'm awake." Or was it like something's wrong? >> It was his normal hang up. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you go get him. Did he seem to be uncomfortable or unhappy or what was kind of his demeanor when you got him up? >> Sometimes it's hard to tell. >> Okay. >> Typically when I go out there and I go to pick him out for snack or he's put his arms out. >> That's what he did. Okay. >> But he always Okay. So, once you got him up, did he stop crying? >> Yeah, he stopped crying. >> Is his little belly sticking out? Is it can you >> sticks out like that >> when he's constipated or that's just how Griffin is? >> That's [music] just how Griffin is. >> Okay. >> His belly has always stuck out like that since he was born. >> Investigators were left with more questions than answers about the injury on Griffin's face. Ashlin's explanation did little to clarify what had happened. >> So, we came in because of this mark on his forehead and I obviously I just saw it. Does it look now the same as when you got him up or has it gotten bigger or smaller? It looks a little bit faded. And I have a picture of us, too. >> Okay. Yeah. >> From earlier when I brought him in. >> Oh, perfect. Okay. >> I brought him in. >> So, it's much >> redder than before. >> Okay. >> This was yesterday. >> What happened there? >> Do you know what that mark was from? >> So, when he gets angry >> Uhhuh. >> or frustrated, >> he rocks back and forth. [music] >> Okay. >> He just does a self soothing type thing. And I do it too. So, I never thought it was a big issue. And he's self soothing. >> Okay. >> So, >> he's trying. [music] >> Yeah. >> And sometimes he'll sit too close to the back of his crib and he'll just the back of his head. >> Okay. >> Uh but when I hear it, I'll move him. >> Okay. >> But he always ends up right back to that same spot. >> Okay. So, like I've talked to people about it before to see if it [music] was because he's self-destructing or if it's something else. >> Yeah. They're like, "Well, sometimes it can be normal like it's just sitting to [music] his back or something." >> I don't know. Was this >> But so that he the back of his head when he does that? So, what what happened up here yesterday? >> Uh yesterday he had on his toy [music] like just a little car. He went to lean over and it he hit his forehead. >> Okay. >> The marks found on Griffin's body suggested unsafe living conditions over time. When investigators pressed with key questions, Ashlin's responses only reinforced concerns about her ability to care for her own son. >> Um around what time? >> It was like right after lunch. >> Okay. >> His foot was super swollen and they couldn't figure out why his >> He was here for the flu. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Like it was so swollen that his foot was really hard. >> Both feet or just one foot? >> Just the one. Just one right foot. >> Yeah, I think so. >> What urgent care two 3 weeks ago? >> I think the one over by Southeast 14. >> Which urgent care? What? What name? Union Mercy. What? >> I think it was I'm pretty sure it was [music] >> on Southeast 14th. >> Yeah. So, it was swollen before Christmas and then purple a few weeks ago and they've never figured out what it is. >> They never could figure out what >> is that the same foot that he has that the mark on now like the dry spot has started. Okay. >> I think that's left foot. >> So, it's all been his left foot. >> Yeah, >> it's all been his left. Okay. >> Any history of use? So if I were to um do a screen on you tomorrow, you would come back clean. No illegales whatsoever. >> Just that's it. >> How often do you smell? >> Not very often. I just do it when I'm in pain and I cannot sleep. >> Why are you in pain? >> Um I have back issues. >> Uh so where do you use it? I do it in my own room. I have my window wide open the entire time I smoke or I'll take it with me just eating edible. >> And then where's Griffin at? >> He is in bed. I don't smoke until >> Okay. So, I'm going to let you know that is an issue. Even though he's in bed, you're the primary caretaker for him [music] and you have to be sober at all times, especially with his age. Um, I understand pain and all of that, but you have to be sober at all times. >> At this point, Ashlin's admission that she had left her son alone at times could further complicate her situation. >> And then my role is, as you know, with DHS is to investigate any suspected lead cases. So, we're always called any time that there's concerns like [music] that and it's unknown how it happened. Um, if it's like a small group of something, kids get [music] that's normal. But the significance of the on his forehead and it comes down to his face and not having an answer as to what happened and how it happened. That's why a lot of times we're called with stuff like that. Um, I do want to make it clear, I got a call from your sister out there, um, from the front desk. That's not appropriate. Um, I gain information from doctors and I'm going to question you and I'm going to come hard at you at times because I want to find out answers um to find out what happened to him. I'm not saying you're guilty or you're or you're innocent. [music] Our job is to find out what happened to him and how how to best help him. Okay. So, having your sister call or [music] whoever it was that called me um at the front desk, did you tell someone to call? >> No. Kylie, Kaye, someone like that. They specifically asked [music] for me. So, >> my sister is six. So, >> okay. So, this was an adult female. They asked by for me by name specifically about this case. And I just [music] told told the person, I'm not going to listen to you harass me and I'm not giving you any information. [music] So, I can interview anyone. I can talk to your mom and interview her, but I have to have your permission so I can give her any information. So, if your mom, if you want me to be able to give her any information regarding my case or anything like that, I have to have permission from [music] you. Okay. But I'm not going to be having a bunch of people calling me and [music] doing all that. Um, >> okay. Um, so I'm not sure who it was or whatever, but let's not do that again. Okay. because that kind of puts the wrong foot forward regarding investigating. Okay. >> You think you know who? >> The only person I told the whole situation was my mom and my best friend who was here, >> the one that you guys had talked to. >> So that's >> So I was standing right outside the room when they called that front desk down there at the other room. So and it wasn't an older woman's voice. So So just so you're aware that, you know, that did happen. Um, so let's just make sure that doesn't happen again. Um, you know, like I said, our job is to investigate, try to figure out what happened. We're not saying you are or aren't guilty. Our job is to figure it out. >> The investigation was still ongoing. Ashlin's release seemed to go smoothly and the agreements appeared settled, but in one moment, in an attempt to evade the police, the situation took a turn for the worse. >> Hi, I'm Detective Gimpolo with De Mo police. Okay. >> Is Ashlin here? >> Uh, no, she's at visitation right now >> with Griffin. Yes, >> she's What's your name, sir? >> I'm Warren. more. I think I talked to you on the phone. I just couldn't remember your name off the top of my head. So, I'm just still still just trying to talk to Ashlin. Did she get a new number or something? Cuz she's not responding to any of my messages. She's not returning my calls. We had had an appointment set up to talk again and I just can't get back a hold of her. So, >> all right. I tell you what, she'll be here by 11:00. >> Okay. Where's she doing the visitation? Well, 10 times now. >> I don't know where you told >> Oh, Carrie took her. Okay. Okay. I don't know where they >> Not a lot of people talking to me about this whole situation. >> I know work. And I appreciate you and Car's help so far. Like I said, Ashlin just I know her phone was shut off for a little bit, but then we she sent me she had sent me that, hey, I got it back and then we had set up to meet and then she just she didn't show up and then she quit talking to me and so I just again I'm just trying to get a hold of her. So I thought I'd stop out here. So okay, she'll be back around 11 though. >> Yep. Should be they should be back here about 10:50. >> We'll try back or maybe we'll try to call Carrie again. Trying to >> trying to get her to answer my calls. So I appreciate your help, sir. Thank you. Ashlin's actions were far from wise and her fate no longer seemed to have any other alternatives. >> Yeah, I'm Detective Campo with De Mo police. I need to speak to an Ashlin. I think it's for for might be her last name. She's here right now on a visit with her child. >> Are they in a room? >> Yes. >> She's going to go to jail. So, we'll wait till the meeting's done. >> Okay. I just want to make sure she doesn't. >> We don't want her to run away. [music] >> So, at the end, can maybe Griffin leave and then we'll talk. I don't want to do anything in front of Griffin. Maybe if he can leave the room and [music] >> mom. Well, >> my supervisor is coming out. >> Okay, >> we'll wait till the end of the visit. >> You have 15 minutes. >> Yeah, you see your child. I'm good with that. >> It's the last time. [music] >> Hi. >> Hello. >> Kiddles with mom. >> Okay. >> What time did they say the visit is supposed to be over? >> 10:30. So, we went out to the Ashley has just been evading. So, um I was just trying to talk to her at one point. I went out to the house and they're like, "Nope, she's at a visit." So, I called mom and she's at the visit till 10:30. So instead of trying to track them down later, we're just going to come here and try to keep us. But I don't want She doesn't know I'm coming, but I don't want to do anything in front of Griffin. >> I don't know what the normal protocol is, but at the end if Griffin could maybe leave the room and then we'll go in and talk to her and put her [music] in custody in there. >> Okay. So I certainly don't want to make it and that's not what we're trying to do. But now that she knows [music] I'm a little bit, >> would it make the most sense to just maybe go in there when it's over and [music] tell mom that I need you to stand back a little bit and or stay back a little bit and then you come with me. >> Cool. Is it just Ashlin and Kay? >> Mom, Kayia, and the child >> and the child. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, yes. I don't Where does Griffin usually go after this? Is the >> with Okay. So, you three of them >> walk out to Kayia's car. Kayia takes Okay. I didn't know if I can't remember the family that she's placed with, so they're not here. Kayia takes them back to daycare. Okay, perfect. Yeah. So, maybe if Kayia can just take Griffin, we'll go in and talk to Ashlin. We'll make it very quick and easy. Thank you. >> Thanks, buddy. >> At this point, Ashlin seemed overwhelmed by the consequences of her actions. The evidence was undeniable, and the breaches of agreement were only growing. >> That you guys were here. >> So, this is Detective Beerstrom. He just works with me in my office. So, I I've been trying to get a hold of you and you're not you haven't answered my messages. I've tried calling you. I haven't had any calls in the text coming from you because I have your number saved. >> Yep. Yep. And I have and I know that it was your number was like out of service for a little while there at one point. So, um, but since you told me it was back on, we had a meeting set up and you I know we had to reschedule that and then you didn't show up for that meeting. Anyway, I'm just telling you the reason for us coming here is cuz I just can't get a hold of you any other way. >> So, I'm not being embarrassed. >> You are. Since we spoke last, I've talked to the county attorney and charges were approved for just the entire situation with Griffin. So, it's child endangerment and then of a dependent are the charges that were approved by the county attorney. So, that process has already gone through. I've got the charges. They're in the system as a warrant status right now. So, you're going to go to P County today to get booked in on those. >> Can I ask you? >> Here's what we'll do. Okay. So, I will have you take your backpack off. We are going to have to arrest you, but we can give your backpack and all your property to your mom if you want. You'll be able to see your mom. >> Ask if not I can take >> No, you're not outside. Some of the calls outside. >> Okay. Is she out in the car right now? >> She should be. She's driving a big black SUV. >> Big black SUV. >> An older kind of suburban. Isn't that what she drives? >> Oh, she sees me walking up. Hiccup. She's about to walk up. >> Well, how about I just go talk to her right now and tell her what's going on. All right. And that you're going to >> Her mom's not aware. >> Well, we called her. >> Okay. >> So, I'm pretty sure she's aware. >> I've talked to her many times throughout this process. >> Cuz usually your mom is your ride, right? >> Yep. Okay. >> Well, turn around. >> Yep. Do you have anything on you? >> I can take that off. >> No. >> Hi, Carrie. >> Yeah. I'm Detective Beers from the De Mo Police Department. >> Hi. >> Sorry to bother you. >> That's okay. >> So, I have bad news. Okay. >> Um Ashlin is going to go to jail today. >> Oh. For what? >> Well, in light of the whole situation and charges were approved for a defendant. >> Okay. >> And some child in [music] things just related to the whole situ. I'm not the case agent. The case agent is in there. >> Can I come in and say hi? >> Absolutely. Yeah. She wanted to see you. Anna is Could you want to take her bag, too? That might might make it easier. >> Yeah. Let me pull my window off real quick. But I figured I'd just come get you and let you know. I knew you were out here. So, >> how long will she be in there? >> I you know, honestly, that's going to be a >> until she see >> she'll get booked in. I don't know what if she has a bond. She might have to see a judge and then they'll set a bond and figure all that stuff out. >> Okay. [music] >> Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. >> Did you see Kaye leave? >> Yeah, she's gone. >> Yeah. Okay. I was didn't want them to be sitting in the parking lot. >> It'll it'll be okay. Things will work out the way they're worked out. Please tell me Kaden is proceeding. >> Okay, I will. >> All right. Well, I appreciate her. >> He said he wasn't sure how long she'd be in there. Do you know the process for that? >> I don't know. It's It's going to be up to a judge. So, it'll be at least overnight. Um could you see a judge in the morning? There's not a bond on this warrant. Um so, you will see a judge in the morning. Um but then from there, I I don't know and I just don't have any say in that. That's up to the judge on what kind of bond he would put on, if any. and then you know your ability [music] to post that or if they do pre-trial that's I I just don't have any part of that so I can't give you a a good answer for that but it will at least be overnight I can tell you that cuz there's not a bond okay >> me updated [music] >> so Griffin is completely gone we think okay we wanted to make sure he was gone before we little but it's still not something we want him to see okay if you've got her stuff nothing else you need out of there Ashlin >> no >> okay all right we're going to head outside in um and they she'll get phone calls and she can contact you cuz she's got your number. Okay. All right. Follow him. Ashlin, >> I love you. >> Don't see there. >> In the end, Ashlin Forget was charged with endangerment. Endangerment causing harm and failure to provide proper care. Next, officers rushed into a home after a desperate call only to find a 9-month-old baby in an alarming condition, revealing a nightmare no child should ever experience. Not the next. [laughter] >> They're here. They're here. THEY'RE THEY'RE >> I SEEN FLIES come out of like flies in her mouth and I look at her. So I walk over there to catch her. I catch her like this and I see she wasn't breathing. >> So not something was wrong with her. >> Bro, I didn't do Why do I have to go to jail and y'all DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO BEAT MY KIDS? On September 23rd, 2024, officers in Whiteall, Ohio, received a frantic 911 call from a distressed woman identified as Charity Dryer, claiming her little girl had suddenly become unresponsive. Aware of the severity of the situation, Officer Joshua Merritt rushed to the scene, hoping to reach there in time. >> Where are they? >> They're here. They're here. THEY'RE HERE. THE NEXT. [laughter] >> They're here. They're here. THEY'RE THEY'RE calm down. >> So, what happened before they stopped? >> I think she was sleep. SHE WAS SLEEP. I CAME IN HERE. I CAME IN HERE. LET'S TALK OUTSIDE. ALL I DO IS COME HERE. HE LITERALLY JUST CAME WITH HE WAS LIKE, "BABE, WHY IS SHE NOT BREATHING?" I TOLD HIM TO GRAB A BABY AND I PUSHED HIM AWAY AND I PICKED HER UP AND I WAS TRYING TO SCARE HER TO JUST RIGHT. I PICKED HER UP AND SHE WASN'T BREATHING AND SHE JUST STOPPED BREATHING AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WAS. >> SO, when's the last time that you saw the baby breathing? >> Literally like 20 minutes ago, she was just breathing. I just went inside, just checked on her. I literally have been sitting here on the square on the phone talking. He's going there to PUT ON HIS COAT AND I'LL GRAB THE OTHER baby >> and he's thirsty and fly and she's not breathing. >> So So when's the last time you saw the baby breathing? >> And then will you stay out here with us on the head? >> Hey dear, please come over here. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> 20 minutes. She went over and she was rubbing her head and then she got up and after that she walked away. >> Okay. >> She was breathing everything just like 20 minutes ago. Literally >> just breathing. >> So where were you when you before you found out the baby wasn't breathing? >> I was walking right on the porch. I just I literally just walked in and put this on this on my hat. >> So then you go inside and what do you see? >> I I seen flies come out of her like flies in her mouth and I look at her. So I walked over there to catch her. I touched her like this and I see she wasn't breathing. So she came in. I'm like she's not breathing. I'm like I don't know if I'm tripping or not. She's not breathing. The foam around her mouth. Where did that come from? >> I just blew a SMILE IN HER MOUTH WHILE SHE was trying to >> I just blew it out of her nose. >> Okay. >> When she was doing it for impressions, I blew in her mouth and it just came out of her nose. >> Um and then what happened? >> Nothing. She's just like she stopped breathing and that's when you called us. She know we literally picked her up and she >> normally I know my title. She's going to wake up and she's going to pop her head up and look at me. I'm her mom. So when I grabbed her, >> hey sir, we can't have anybody inside the house. I grabbed her ID, please. >> Yeah. Do Do you guys have your IDs with you? >> No, I do. >> What's your social? I promise we're going to try our best and then we're going to try our best to make sure the baby >> Yes, sir. >> Hey guys, can you step that way? >> Is there anybody else inside the house? >> Who Who was all here when anything happened? Everybody left. >> Although Charity put on a dramatic display, the officers on the scene could tell that something wasn't quite right. That was because the state they found 9-month-old Aria Williams in was far from accidental. The young one looked malnourished, and it seemed her diaper hadn't been emptied in a long time. As a result, the officers took both the young man, Tyrone, and Charity, down to the station. >> So, she called us at 6:39. What time did So you discovered the baby first, right? >> I walked I was sitting sitting on the porch for a minute. I was smoking my mouth and I got chilly a little bit. So I'm like I'm about to go in the house. I'm tell I'm going to house get a jacket. So I go in the house, grab my coat and grab a little hat. So I look at the baby right. I see uh uh the the flies coming out of her mouth. So when I look at that, I go over there. I touch her. I walk over to her. I touch her. I see she wasn't breathing. So I'm like, "She's not breathing. I'm not tripping." So I walk to my girl. I'm like, "She's not breathing. I'm not tripping. She's not breathing." So she g my knees. She like, "Here, take your knees." She walk over to the baby. She pick her up. She picked her up. Her head was like just leaning back like and it was like not coming out of her no. I don't know if it's coming out of her mouth or her nose. So my she went outside tell my sister. My sister tried to bring the baby back in to run the baby in the house. Set her on the couch. So my sister set on the couch. She trying to do the uh I don't know is it CPR cuz she she used to work she work at the hospital. So she trying to get her back to together. So as she doing that my my sister told my girlfriend to get the uh put her I'm my head's everywhere her mouth to her mouth. She's trying to get her back. So as she doing that, she trying to breathe into her mouth. That's when stuff started coming out. I don't know if it's come out her nose or her mouth, but stuff started coming out. So that's she called y'all and that's when y'all came and tried to get her back. And >> so before then, like 20 minutes before then, she was like literally just breathing. Like my girlfriend walked over there, rubbed her head, sat over there over there by her and everything. And then she ended up walking away. >> And you said that was about 20 minutes before. So >> everything was fine. Like she was literally breathing all that. Like normally like nothing was wrong, none of that. She was sleeping on her stomach with her cover and all that. Like nothing bad. like a a normal day. >> And you physically saw the baby 20 minutes before this happened? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> And I instant when I seen the flies coming out, I'm like, "Son, this fly come mouth. Ain't nothing why is the flies coming out her mouth?" So when I instant I checked her paws and she wasn't breathing. That's how I found out when my papa passed away. I checked his paw too. That's how I figured out he was going. So I instantly checked her paws and I see she wasn't breathing. >> How many flies would you say came out of her mouth? >> Like she was like two of them and I'm just a stepfather. >> I understand. >> I just look at him with my real kids. I do come over with my real kids cuz I got a daughter but I can't see my daughter right now. Oh, kind of. I'm sorry to hear that. >> That's when I walked over and checked her paw. She wasn't breathing. >> Okay. >> I didn't see the cuz my sister when she picked up her body was purple. I didn't see that until I l test her. I said until I tested her pulse and they lift her up. That's when I seen her like her eyelid like her eyelid was like purple. Like it was like >> like like veins like red veins. I don't know what it like her veins like poking out like her eyebrows. >> And the baby was laying on that blanket. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Was the baby laying face up or face down? She was on her stomach like she was like this like that's how she us she lay like that and stomach on her stomach like this. >> Was she facing the room or facing the the back of the couch? >> Back of the couch but her face like went on it like on it or nothing like that. She was off. She was laying like this like sleep normal day like she always sleep literally and she would sleep like this just knocked out like a usual day and the cover was [music] wrapped like not wrapped up on the face but it wrapped like from from like right here >> like around her body. Tyrone's interview suggested that no foul play had occurred at all. Around that same time, the hospital where baby Aria had been taken delivered devastating news of her passing away. But the bad news didn't end there. An autopsy of the body revealed blunt force head injuries, skull fractures, and abdominal bleeding, which eventually ruled the incident a homicide by the coroner. The hospital also assessed Charity's other infant daughter and discovered that she had suffered a broken arm and head injuries. It was clear as day that the young ones had been horribly mistreated and it was now time to confront their mom. We're going to follow up on everything. >> Following up on everything. Everything that came out of your mouth, we are following up on. >> So I have to go to jail and I didn't even do nothing. I didn't do nothing. Michael, LIKE I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. I'M TELLING YOU EVERYTHING. I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. LIKE I DIDN'T I DID. I DON'T KNOW WHO I DID, BUT IT'S NOT ME. AND LIKE PLEASE, LIKE, BRO, PLEASE. IF I GO BACK TO JAIL, I'M NOT GETTING OUT. >> WHY? >> BECAUSE I'M ON PROBATION. I JUST WENT TO COURT and they told ME IF I UP ONE MORE TIME I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN FOR THE FULL FIVE. I didn't 5 years. >> What are you on probation for? >> FOR THIS IS STOLEN PROPERTY. I USED TO STEAL CARS when I was younger. >> And you think you're only 5 years in a Franklin County jail for stealing cars? >> It's not just that. I HAVE A STOLEN A POLICE OFFICER. WHY DO I NO. WELL, WHY AM I GOING TO JAIL? I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. >> WHAT I WANT YOU TO do is I want you to stand up, please. [clears throat] >> I didn't do nothing. CAN I PLEASE WRITE SOME NUMBERS FOR Y'ALL TAKE ME TO JAIL? LIKE I NEED NUMBERS. I don't have no numbers on my phone. >> I don't have no numbers on my phone to be able to call anybody. >> Well, get get the get the number. Tell us what numbers you want. >> Bro, why am I GOING TO JAIL? I didn't do anything. BRO, I didn't do Why do I HAVE TO GO TO JAIL? Y'ALL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO BEAT MY KIDS. [laughter] WHY DO I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO GO TO JAIL AND I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. BRO, >> let's go. We're not There's one more number. Come on. >> I didn't do nothing. >> I mean, we're giving you the benefit of the doubt. That's your dad's number. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's a 513 number. >> Okay. Call your property. >> Do you want to button up your pants? >> You said you have all the messages on there from you and Abigail, right? >> Most of them. Not all of them. >> But is there anything in here that's going to help us? >> To prove that I didn't my kids. Are y'all taking me to jail right now? I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. LIKE, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? I DIDN'T DO NOTHING. >> CHARITY, you want to give me the passcode so we can get the messages out of here. If this helps you, we need the passcode. >> How do you >> Am I going to get my phone back? I'm going. >> Yes. When we're done with it, we're talking a couple days. When you get out, >> I don't even know if I'm going to get out. >> You'll get to Franklin County. >> Do you have anything else on you? >> NO. WHY AM I GOING TO JAIL? AND I DON'T EVEN know who my kids >> explain it to you, >> bro. It doesn't matter WHAT YOU EXPLAIN. I DIDN'T MY KIDS. YOU'RE TAKING ME TO JAIL, BUT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE MY KIDS. >> WE'RE GOING to walk this way. Trey, >> can you grab that piece of paper? I need this number. >> We will. We will. >> Oh, Tyrone, I love you. >> Walk straight out the door. >> I didn't do nothing. YOU ARE TAKING YOU TO EVEN KNOW MY KIDS. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW MY KIDS ARE TAKING ME TO JAIL. Like I didn't do nothing. >> Traffic warrants. >> What? >> You have traffic warrants as well. >> How the D had a call in with flight. >> When a traffic war when >> I don't know you as >> I got that taken care of. I shouldn't have did it. So that's why the deal. >> Well, I'm saying there's also that. So, when am I GOING TO GET OUT? >> You're going to see a judge tomorrow. >> If they let me out, it's still not enough. >> [screaming] >> Subsequently, Charity Dryer pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and endangerment and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.