At a luxury hotel in Palm Beach County, Florida, police responded to a disturbing call about three abandoned children. Their mother, a known heroin user, had just driven off drunk, leaving them with strangers at a wedding. And when officers tracked her down, she made every wrong move possible. >> Uh her boyfriend rolled up with her three kids that weren't invited and he threw the kids at her and she's drunk, can't drive. He's a drug dealer. She's drunk and uh we don't want the kids to go home with them. Okay. >> So, that's what's happening. >> We got a call about a concern about your the condition that you're in that you left your children here. Some people called in and said you're extremely intoxicated and drove away. >> So, my name is Officer Gillicuy. Okay. So, I'm just here to talk to you about what's going on tonight. So, can you tell me what's going on with the kids? >> No. >> What's that? >> No. >> Step out of the car. >> All right. How much have you had a drink tonight? >> Step in front of the car. >> Do you have your ID on you? >> No. >> Do you have a driver's license? >> You don't have a driver's license at all? What am I working on? >> Um, will you run the tag for me, bro? >> I did already. It comes back out of to some guy. >> All right. What's your social? >> Some guy. This is my car. >> What's your answer questions? What's your social? >> You don't have to be mean to me. I own this car. >> What's your social? >> No. Find out. >> If you don't identify who you are, you're going to go to jail for obstruction. Okay. >> What? You're Are you Mal? >> See, you already know who I am. >> Okay. But I ran you in the I ran you in the driver's license this night and I can't find you. >> No, I am. I'm not playing the game. So here here's the thing. You have toident shut your mouth >> until until I ask you a question. You have to ident. >> You uh you need to identify to me who you are right now because here's the thing. Here's the situation you're in. >> You just left your children at a at a hotel without a guardian. >> So that can be considered child neglect. >> Ma'am, I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. Okay. Officer Dillui walks into chaos. A witness has already told him everything. Three kids abandoned, drunk mother, possible drugs involved. He tries the calm approach, asks a simple question about the kids, and she shuts him down with a flat no. That's strike one. She's got no driver's license. The car isn't even registered to her. When he asks for her social security number, she says, "Find out." That's not defiance. That's digging your own grave. Gilui warns her. Refuse to identify yourself. You're getting charged with obstruction. She doesn't care. She keeps playing games, acting like this is some kind of joke. Here's the problem. She doesn't understand what she's facing. Three kids left behind at a hotel. She drove away drunk. That's child neglect and DUI, both felonies in Florida. if there's injury or reckless conduct involved. Gilikuy tries to spell it out for her. Ma'am, I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation, but she's too intoxicated, too defensive, or too far gone to listen. This stop was already a disaster before she even said her first word. >> What is your social security number? >> No. >> How much do you have to drink tonight? >> Nope. Nothing. >> You had nothing to say? >> Sober. >> You like alcohol? >> I probably do. You're unsteady on your feet. You have red glass of bloodshot eyes in the same >> You have a strong strong odor of alcohol coming off your person. >> Okay. So, I'm conducting a DUI investigation right now. Go >> ahead. >> Okay. So, what is your name? >> Hey. No, it's not for me to find out. It's for you to tell me because here's the deal. If you don't tell me who you are, you're going to get charged with criminal obstruction. That's what's going on. >> No, I'm just mad. >> You know who this is? >> I've never seen that dude in my life. >> No, but if you needed a lawyer, >> have a nice kid. You're not even funny. >> All right, ma'am. So, here's the thing. You are displaying many, many indicators of possible impairment. I'm conducting a DUI investigation. DUI investigation. Are you willing to do some field sobriety exercises? >> This is where it goes from bad to catastrophic. Gilikuy starts documenting everything for his DUI case. She claims she's sober. He tells her she reeks of alcohol. She admits, "I probably do." That's not a denial. That's a confession wrapped in sarcasm. Then she tries to blame her bloodshot eyes on the son. At night, after leaving a wedding reception, Gilakui is methodical. He's checking every box, odor of alcohol, unsteady gate, bloodshot eyes. He tells her he's conducting a DUI investigation and asks for field sobriety tests. She refuses. That's her right. But here's what most people don't understand. Refusal doesn't save you. It just makes the officer's job easier. Now he doesn't need failed test results. He's got her refusal, her behavior, and everything he's observed so far. She still won't give her name. Instead, she makes a crude joke and acts like this is all some misunderstanding. Gilchu's patience is wearing thin. He's been professional. He's warned her multiple times, and she's treating this like a game. She's about to find out it's not >> all right. Refusing to do the DUI exercises as I've lawfully requested will force me to make a DUI arrest decision based on the totality of the circumstances and everything observed up to this point. And your refusal to participate in the exercises will force me to make a DUI arrest decision right now and can be used against you under court of law. >> All right. >> Will you do the exercises? No. >> Turn around. And arrest for DUI and obstruction and child neglect. >> Is there anybody here for your children? >> Can I make a phone call? >> No. >> Not right now. >> Yeah, she reads. >> Yeah, she does. She had a She had a lot to drink. >> Ch 25, can you start me feeling it for a search? Let's go and have her uh let's go to the front of my car while I try to figure out who she is. >> Come on. >> Why you got to be a dick, dude? >> Shut up. Come on. >> Talk to me like a car, bro. You going to take care of my kids? >> That's my part. You're not taking care of your kids. >> You going to take care of my kids, bro? >> You're not taking care of your kids. >> You going to take care of my kids? >> What kind of mother are you? You leave your kids >> I was >> What kind of mother are you? You leave your kids here? bad mother, I guess, cuz I'm a parent and I would never leave my kids drunk at a hotel with people I don't know. Do you even know who your kids are with right now? >> Gilikuy gives her one last chance. He explains exactly what her refusal means. He'll make an arrest decision based on everything he's seen. She says no again. That's it. Cuffs go on. She's under arrest for DUI, obstruction, and child neglect. Three charges in under three minutes. Then she asks if there's anybody here for her children. Think about that. She abandoned three kids at a hotel, drove off drunk, got pulled over, and now she's worried about who's watching them. Gilulei asks the obvious question, and she deflects with, "Can I make a phone call?" "No, you don't get to make calls when officers are still trying to figure out who you even are." The second officer confirms what Gilui already knows. She reeks of alcohol. Meanwhile, she's calling them names, cursing them out, asking, "You going to take care of my kids?" over and over like it's their responsibility. Gilui snaps back. What kind of mother are you? It's harsh, but he's a parent, too. And he's not wrong. She left three children with strangers while drunk. She can't even tell them who's watching her kids right now. This is textbook escalation through non-compliance. Every choice she made, refusal to identify, refusal to test, verbal abuse, stacked another charge on top of the last. >> For me, don't >> listen. Listen to me. Listen to me. This is about to go. >> Stop it. Stop it. >> I don't want to hurt you, but you're about to get there. Stop it. Well, we need to right now we need to find like a parent or a guardian. We My understanding is that there was a male involved here. >> Correct. He left on foot. >> Is he the dad? >> Uh, no. >> But is he like is he a caretaker of the children? >> He was watching them during the wedding. He got mad. She was having a good time. Came, threw the kids at her, left. They were fighting in the parking lot. She was trying to take the kids. I wasn't having it. This is not okay. This has happened multiple times. She was clean for a very long time and then started using her was you gentleman. >> Yeah. Um she >> No, absolutely not. >> She just seems really drunk. >> Yeah, she's >> Yeah. You guys could just back up a little bit for us. >> While Gilluy is dealing with the suspect's physical resistance, the second officer is piecing together what actually happened tonight. A witness steps forward and drops the whole story. There was a male watching the kids during the wedding. Not the father, just someone who was supposed to be supervising them. He got upset that she was having a good time, meaning she was drinking and partying while he was stuck babysitting. So, he did what any responsible adult would do. He threw the kids at her and walked away. Sarcasm intended. Then it gets worse. They were fighting in the parking lot. She tried to take the kids, drunk, unstable, and clearly in no condition to care for anyone. The witness refused to let her. That's when she drove off without her children. But here's the gut punch. This has happened multiple times. She was clean for a very long time and started using again. This isn't a one-time mistake. This is a pattern. She had beaten addiction, stayed clean, and then relapsed. The witness knows her history. They've seen this before. And tonight, at a wedding where she was supposed to be celebrating her best friend, she spiraled. The officers now understand they're not just dealing with a drunk driver. They're dealing with someone who may be using heroin again, who has a history of this behavior, and who just abandoned three kids in the middle of a crisis. The charges are piling up, and the backstory makes it so much worse. All right. This This is Sergeant Hick. She's going to search you. Come on out. Don't try any games like you just did. >> I'm not on me, dude. >> Okay. >> Step right here. She's going to search you. >> [ __ ] in front of everybody. Embarrass me. >> Face the car, please. >> All right. We understand your impossible hearing user. Do you have any needles on you? >> Are you [ __ ] serious? >> All right. We don't want to get stuff, man. Scratch your freak. >> Do you have any? >> No. >> You're about to catch a disorder. Okay. Stop. >> Ma'am, stop yelling. Okay. >> Hey, listen. >> Do not turn around. >> Somebody needs to bail me out. This is not okay, dude. >> Don't turn around like that. Do not turn around like that. Ma'am, stop. >> Hey, relax. Relax. Spread your feet for me, please. You're making this worse. >> Spread your feet for me, please. >> Spread your feet. Stop it. Stop it. >> Stop it. >> Spread your feet for me, please, Mickey. A female officer steps in to conduct the search and she asks the question that changes everything. We understand you're a possible heroin user. Do you have any needles on you? The suspect acts shocked. Are you [ __ ] serious? But that reaction tells you nothing. Of course, she's going to deny it. The female officer isn't asking to embarrass her. She's asking because getting stuck by a dirty needle can destroy an officer's life. Hepatitis. HIV, bloodborne pathogens. This is a safety issue. The suspect won't cooperate. She's yelling, threatening the officers. You're about to catch this. And physically resisting a basic search. The female officer is trying to stay calm, repeating, "Spread your feet over and over." But the suspect keeps jerking away, turning around, making this harder than it needs to be. At one point, she apparently splashes or spits at the officer, which is assault on an officer in most jurisdictions. She keeps screaming that someone needs to bail her out, that this isn't okay. But here's the reality check. She abandoned her kids, drove drunk, refused to identify herself, refused sobriety tests, and now she's physically resisting and threatening officers. Nobody's bailing her out tonight. She's going to jail and every move she makes is adding time to that stay. The officers are calling her Mikey, which means they've either finally identified her or it's a nickname. Either way, she's spiraling and this search is taking way longer than it should because she won't stand still for 10 seconds. >> Spread your feet. >> No, nothing on me. Yo, somebody better tear me out of jail. >> Ma'am, you're in no condition to drive your >> I know. I came back to get my kid. Yo, if somebody doesn't [ __ ] bail me out, I'm really [ __ ] pissed off. >> Mickey, we don't Mickey, we don't want We don't want to hurt you. Okay, >> I could tell the way you pulled me away. >> You're not allowed to yank away from us. I'm going to get you. >> Yeah, but like I'm upset. >> Okay, but you still have to follow our instructions. >> My best friend's wedding. I'm getting [ __ ] arrested, dude. Imagine how she feels, dude. I haven't made a rusty tank yet. What about my car? Can you go park my car somewhere? >> No, it's We're probably going to kill it. No, dude. Please. I'm so broke. Please don't [ __ ] Can you just at least go park my car? Ma'am, there's a consequence. >> Can you at least go park my I'm asking you for a favor. >> I'm not doing any favors. Stop moving your >> I'm just trying to [ __ ] help you. >> Carrie, I swear to God if you don't [ __ ] try to bond me out, dude. I'm going to be so mad, dude. >> You don't have a [ __ ] warrant. >> Do you have anything in your bra? >> Anything in your bra? Money or anything? >> No, I don't. I'm in a [ __ ] >> Now reality is hitting her. She's begging someone named Carrie to bail her out, panicking about her car getting towed, and suddenly remembering she's at her best friend's wedding. Imagine how she feels, dude. Yeah. Imagine your best friend invited you to your wedding, trusted you with your kids, and you got so drunk you abandoned them and drove off. Now you're in handcuffs screaming at cops. That bride is having the worst night of her life because of you. Gilakui tries to deescalate. He tells her they don't want to hurt her, but she has to follow instructions. She says, "I'm upset." That's not an excuse. Being upset doesn't mean you get to resist arrest. He's giving her a chance to calm down, and she's still fighting. Then comes the car panic. She's so broke and begs them not to tow it. Gilchu's response is perfect. Ma'am, there's a consequence. You drove drunk. You left your kids. You refused every opportunity to cooperate. Your car getting towed is the least of your problems right now. She asks him to do her a favor and park it. He shuts that down immediately. I'm not doing you any favors. Why would he? She's done nothing but curse at them, resist, and make their job harder. She keeps yelling at Carrie, probably a friend or the bride, threatening to be so mad if she doesn't get bonded out. But here's the thing, she's got no leverage. She's under arrest for multiple felonies. Nobody's rushing to help her tonight. The officers finished the search and she's heading to jail whether she likes it or not. >> Take you. Put your shoes back. >> I want to go to Put your shoes back on, >> dude. My >> All right. You've been placed under lawful arrest for DUI. I'm >> I'm now requesting you submit to a lawful test of your breath. >> For the purpose of determining the alcohol content, will you submit to a breath test? >> To a lawful test of your breath, you're in a blood. Nick needs to listen to this. I hear you. >> You will be my driving. >> You will be you'll be you'll be committing a misdemeanor. >> Refusal. Listen. Refusal to submit to the test requested of you >> is admissible in the evidence in any criminal proceeding. Will you take a breath test? Gilikuy reads her the implied consent law. In Florida, when you get a driver's license, you automatically consent to chemical testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing that test is a separate criminal charge, a misdemeanor, and it can be used against you in court. He's giving her the full legal warning, explaining exactly what refusing means. She says, "I hear you." And then refuses anyway. This is the second refusal. First, she refused field sobriety tests. Now, she's refusing the breath test. Each refusal makes the case against her stronger. Prosecutors love refusals because they can tell the jury she knew she was drunk. That's why she wouldn't take the test. It's not proof of guilt, but it's damning evidence. Gilui tries twice. He breaks it down, warns her about the misdemeanor charge, tells her it'll be used in court. She doesn't care. No, that's all she says. He marks it down. Okay. Refusal. That's another charge added to her growing list. At this point, she's facing DUI, obstruction, child neglect, resisting without violence, disorderly intoxication, and now refusal to submit to testing. She started the night as a bridesmaid at a wedding. She's ending it with six criminal charges. And she did this to herself. Every single opportunity to make this easier. Identify yourself. Take the test. Cooperate with the search. She refused. Now she's sitting in cuffs with a criminal record that's about to get a whole lot worse. >> Okay. Refusal. >> You take the [ __ ] off of me. It hurt. >> No. So right now you're under arrest for felony child neglect. >> Felony child neglect for leaving your children here. >> They're with my friends. >> Who are they with? Are you my best friend in 20 years? >> Can you mark the crime as a brother? >> I'm getting arrested for child. My friends over 20 years. >> All right, M. Can you slide across? >> Where Where are you bleeding from? >> I I don't know. I can't see my face, dude. I don't know. >> Did you hit your head on something? >> I don't know. >> Okay, we'll come in here and we'll take a look at it. >> Anything for you, officer? Cuz I neglect my [ __ ] children. Cuz I drape. >> Gilchuy drops the hammer. You're under arrest for felony child neglect. Not misdemeanor. Felony. That's years in prison if convicted. Three counts. One for each child she abandoned. Her defense. Dude, with my friends. Like that makes it okay. She left three kids at a hotel with people at a wedding reception. drove away drunk and now wants credit because she knows one of them. Gilui asks who they're with. She says her best friend of 20 years. But here's the problem. That doesn't matter. You don't get to leave your children unsupervised with wedding guests, even if you've known them for decades while you drive off intoxicated. That's textbook child abandonment. She keeps saying 20 years like it's some kind of legal defense. It's not. Then something changes. Gilui tells her to slide across in the patrol car and suddenly notices something's wrong. I can't see your face, dude. Did you hit your head on something? She says, "I don't know." That's a bad sign. She's so intoxicated or disoriented that she doesn't even know if she injured herself. Her sarcastic response, "Anything for you, officer? because I neglect my [ __ ] children because I drink is dripping with bitterness, but there's truth in it. She does drink. She did neglect her kids tonight. And now she's hurt, possibly from banging her head in the back of the patrol car during her earlier outburst. This is about to turn into a medical transport on top of everything else. Did >> you fall? >> I don't know. >> Put your feet out first. >> I can't. I'm just saying I don't neglect my children. >> I know, but just watch it. >> What do you mean, you know? So why are you charging ME WITH LIKE NEGLECT? BRO, >> I just said watch it, man. >> These are my kids. This is serious. >> This is my Listen, we we have to go to the hospital. >> This is my kid. >> My guess is you did that banging your head on my cage. Okay, so let's go. We have Ma'am, we have to go. >> I take care of my kid. >> Please sit down. We have to go to the hospital. >> I GOT DRUNK. OKAY, I HAVE to take care of my It's a wedding. I'm going to [ __ ] bride. Ma'am, please sit down. I told you. Damn, this is why I told you to stop banging your head on my cage. Okay, cuz now you have a now you have an eye cut. Okay, I didn't see that till >> she's bleeding. Gilikuy sees a cut near her eye and realizes she injured herself by slamming her head against the patrol car cage. That's self-inflicted harm while in custody, which means he has to transport her to the hospital before booking her into jail. It's policy. It's liability. and it's going to add hours to an already long night. She keeps insisting she doesn't neglect her children, but Gilaku is hurt enough. He tries to get her to calm down. I just said watch, but she won't stop. She's still defending herself, still making excuses. I got drunk. Okay, it's a wedding. I'm a [ __ ] bridesmaid. Like being a bridesmaid gives you a pass to abandon three kids and drive drunk. It doesn't. Gilakui warned her multiple times to stop banging her head. She didn't listen. Now she's got a visible injury. She's heading to the hospital in handcuffs. And she's still fighting reality. She keeps saying, "I take care of my kids." But tonight tells a very different story. He was initially charged with three counts of child neglect, DUI, resisting an officer without violence, disorderly intoxication, and refusal to sign a citation. She was booked into Palm Beach County Jail after receiving medical treatment. But here's where it gets interesting. During the initial court proceedings, the prosecutor dropped the child neglect charges, the disorderly intoxication charge, and the resisting arrest charge. Why? likely because the children were technically left with people at the wedding, not completely abandoned, and because her resistance was relatively minor. The case was transferred to misdemeanor court. The DUI charge was reduced to reckless driving. She was found guilty of refusing to sign a citation. Her final sentence, one year of probation for reckless driving. Think about how this started versus how it ended. She could have cooperated, taken the sobriety test, called someone to pick up her kids, and maybe walked away with a DUI and a harsh lesson learned. Instead, she refused everything, fought the officers, injured herself, and turned a bad night into a criminal case. The charges got reduced significantly. Some might say she got lucky. Others might say the system worked exactly as it should, separating the serious offenses from the mistakes. But one thing's certain, her three kids watched their mom get arrested at a wedding, and that's a memory that doesn't get reduced or dismissed. So, here's the question. Do you think the final sentence was fair, or should the original charges have stuck? If you found this breakdown insightful, drop a like and let me know in the comments what you think about cases like this, and subscribe if you want more deep dives into real body cam footage. Thanks for watching.