The vehicle has a problem. >> I understand. >> Like we don't have to just pretend anymore. >> Yeah, I understand. >> You can still see the smoke inside there. >> I mean you actually But why am I getting under arrest? It's not mine. >> How you doing? Hey, we just get paid by the hotel to do laps around the uh parking lot. >> Okay. >> Make sure there's no criminal activity. Make sure there's no people not doing things they're not supposed to be doing. And that's it. Um you mind rolling down that window for me, ma'am? >> That window? >> The one Yeah. >> Are you smoking? >> Yeah. >> Weed? >> Yeah. >> I got my kids. >> All right. Do you have any weapons on you, ma'am? >> No. >> All right. And you were doing this with her in the backseat? Just a couple questions for you. Do you happen to have a medical marijuana >> I don't know uh >> No, I don't. >> Do you know if your uh partner does in the passenger seat? >> buddy. >> All right. And it's very apparent the odor that's coming out of this car, okay? >> No no gun. >> Of cannabis. All right. Uh do you have a license on you? >> Um I'm okay. >> He was breaking something up as I walked up. Thank you. >> Are you guys staying here? >> Huh? >> Are you guys staying here? >> Yeah. >> All right. Are there any weapons in the car? >> No. >> At this point, the officers have explained why they approached the vehicle. They were conducting an area check for the hotel, and they say they detected the smell of cannabis coming from the car. That changes the tone of the encounter considerably. The officer also notices a child in the backseat, which immediately raises another concern because the adults are allegedly smoking inside the vehicle with the child present. Notice something important here. The officers aren't initially saying, "You're automatically under arrest." They're talking about a detention and a drug investigation while trying to figure out exactly what's happening. The woman is also allowed to maintain contact with the child rather than immediately being placed in handcuffs. Do you think the officers handled that part appropriately, or should the situation have been treated differently from the beginning? >> Hands up. Hands up. up. Hands up. Hands >> Bro, you're smoking weed. Is this your daughter in the back? >> No, that's my son. >> Who's that? >> That's my step my stepson. >> You know you're being detained in cuffs, all right, because of the drug investigation, all right? >> All right, cool. >> Sit back here. All right, so I'll be very honest with you, Miss Lobos. Um we're just checking out all people based on the odor of cannabis coming from your vehicle. We're just going to do a quick search for a drug investigation, and then we get out of there, okay? As long as that's the only thing we have, we have no issues. But if we find harder stuff, you also got to take into account that I'm not sure how old the child is, but you guys are smoking weed in the car with a child. >> Okay. >> All right. You don't have anything on you? Like a cigarette lighter or anything of that nature? So, just hang out for me. Stay in the car. Stay in the car. I'm giving you a lawful command, so you can >> Come here, Nene. Come here, baby. Come here. >> So, look. >> That's okay. Well, I'll come here. >> real quick. Out of courtesy for the child, I'm not going to put you in handcuffs, so you can hold onto the child. But you're detained, you're not free to leave. Do you understand what I'm saying? >> Come here, baby. >> Is that a yes? >> Yeah, that's a yes. He's not going to jail, right? >> No, he's just being detained, just like you are. >> Okay. >> We detain people in handcuffs. That is how we I'm not going to do that for you, so you can maintain >> Come here, baby. >> contact with the child, okay? >> Come here. Come here, papi. Yes, come inside the car. >> Hey, ma'am, you can get out, leave everything in, and go get the child, okay? How are y'all smoking in front of him? Huh? How are y'all smoking in front of him? >> In front of the baby. >> I'm not even in front of the baby, like >> In the same car, hotboxing the car with the baby inside. >> You know, she had the door open anyway. >> So? >> I got 81. >> Huh? >> The baby's window wasn't open. >> I understand. >> Do you? Stop moving around. >> I got weed in this pocket. >> How much weed? >> Like Like that much. >> Switch. >> Hey is where the situation becomes much more serious than simply finding marijuana. The officers repeatedly focus on the fact that a child was allegedly inside the vehicle while the adults were smoking. The officer describes the vehicle as essentially being hot boxed while also noting that the child's window was not open. Whatever someone's personal opinion about cannabis may be, the presence of a child changes the circumstances officers are evaluating. The officer even makes an effort to keep the mother close to the child rather than immediately separating them. That detail matters because it shows the officers are simultaneously investigating possible criminal conduct and trying to manage the welfare of the child. But now there's another problem waiting in that car, a white powdery substance located near the driver's feet. And that discovery is about to change everything. >> You got it, buddy? >> Yeah. >> Got it, buddy? Y'all staying here tonight? >> Yeah, I live I live here. I live in the second floor. That's the keys to my car. >> Can you do me a favor, put your hands Put your hands where I can see them. Put your hands where I can see All right, I'll go with him and have him sit in the car, all right? Go, Mommy. Go, Mommy. Mommy's calling you. Come around and get the child. Is there nobody else >> Come here. No. Wait, come here. We're not going inside yet. >> Hey. >> Hey. >> Hey. Listen to Mommy. Now, get over here. >> I'm here. Wait a minute, we're not going inside. >> Get here. Come here. Come here. Now you're in trouble. Come here. >> Come here. Come here. >> Can you go to Mommy? >> No. >> Stay with Mommy. You need to listen to Mommy. >> It's joints. That white powdery bag residue that we put into Orlando Police Department drug bag was on the floorboard where her right foot was the entire time. I just Give a second. You know how green gets. I just couldn't focus on him cuz I was focused on her moving her feet around. You guys live in Orlando? >> Yeah. >> You guys just Huh? You live here? >> In Orlando, yeah. >> Let me talk to you over here. >> Huh? >> So, I want to ask you a few things before I do. I just have to read you your Miranda rights. Anything you say may be used against you in court. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> Um so, as I said when we walked up, we're officers of the Orlando Police Department. We basically patrol these parking lots just to make sure no criminal activity is happening. People that are not wanted are not here. Guns, drugs, things of that nature, okay? We came up to your car. As I came up to the driver door, it was open. I could smell the smoke coming from your car. All right. We found a cannabis inside. Found drugs inside. And found another thing inside that was on the floorboard of the driver side where you were sitting. What would that be? >> I only saw saw, I don't know. >> know? You don't know about the small bag that was on the floor, small white baggie with the white powder in it? >> No, I don't do that, so I wouldn't know about that. The person that used the car before me was my cousin, but >> The reason you guys are >> I mean, I don't have no one to watch him. We were just smoking. I had the door open. I mean, >> The vehicle's hot boxed. >> I understand. >> We don't have to just pretend anymore. >> Yeah, I understand. >> We could still see the smoke inside. >> I mean, you actually question why >> Yeah. >> smoke and I that's it. I know you're not supposed to, but >> You're not supposed to smoke Even if you had a medical marijuana card, there's still rules and stipulations on how you smoke that. You're not supposed to smoke inside of a vehicle. You're also There's not a law against it. Hearsay, if you will. Some of it could be considered other things up a crime, but it's just more human nature not to smoke narcotics around. >> I'm under arrest? >> I'm I'm just talking to you. >> Okay. >> Like I said, you've been detained this entire time. You're not under arrest. >> He has to be here. He can't leave cuz he has to go to work and we don't do that, so >> He can't be arrested. >> He can't be arrested. I don't want him to get arrested. >> You want thing and not being able to are two different things. >> I don't want him to. >> Okay. So, buddy. Um So, that's your answer about the powder I was finding on the floorboard? >> We don't I don't know anything about it. I don't do it. >> Whose car is it? >> I said it's my mom's car. >> Okay. How often do you use the car? >> I don't um I use it to go to appointments. He drives cuz he's the one with the license. >> You don't have a license? Why are you in the driver's seat? >> Just sitting there. >> Do you usually sit in the driver's seat? >> Yeah, cuz it's my car, but I don't drive it like I said. >> So, it's your car, but you don't drive it. >> Yeah. Because my mom left it to me, but I don't drive it because I don't have a license. >> Where is she? >> She um just recently passed away. >> Sorry to hear that. Is there anyone else in this hotel? >> The baby. >> And that's your child? >> That's my baby. >> Is it the child with you in there? >> No. >> Now we reach the critical piece of evidence. Officers say they found a small white baggie containing a white powdery substance on the floorboard where the woman had been sitting. At first, she denies knowing anything about it and explains that the vehicle belonged to her mother who had recently passed away. Later, she acknowledges that she does smoke marijuana but continues to deny knowledge of the powder. This creates the central issue in the investigation, knowledge and possession. Simply being near an object does not automatically tell us who owns it or who knew it was there. That's exactly why officers keep asking questions about the vehicle, who normally uses it, who was driving, and where the bag was located. The defense of it's not my car may explain ownership, but it doesn't automatically resolve whether someone knowingly possessed something found inside it. What would you think if you were investigating the scene? >> Looks like it's probably So, as I explained already, we're officers of the Anaheim Police Department. We patrol these hotels, make sure there's no illegal activity, no drug sales, people breaking into cars, stuff like that. Um, that's why we're in the area tonight. >> Okay. >> I came up to the driver's rear window. I can already smell it. Okay. It is what it is. Um, it's even hazy in there when I walked up. Um, that's why it kind of turned from just, you know, I was hanging out, talking, to it being a drug investigation. >> I understand. >> Um, when I saw you, you were breaking something down in your fingers. What was that? >> Um, I was feeding it up. Actually, feeding it. >> Okay. >> Feeding it in my hand. >> Okay. Of what? >> Front rolling cigar. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. Honestly, it's the first time. >> Um, where's that joint? >> This is the other one you got. You were smoking. >> Okay. Is that the only one that was in the car? >> Yeah. And another one you found, the you with the other guy found it in my pocket, whatever I had it. >> Left of the or of the joint? >> The weed. >> I'll be honest with you, we found, obviously, the joint, the shake everywhere, like little residue of weed. Um, found the grinder. And then, also, there was a little plastic bag that had a white powder in it. >> Mhm. >> Okay. It seems like you know what that is. Or that you're kind of like >> Mhm. You said white powder was what? >> It's what? >> I don't >> what could it be? I don't know. >> I'm That's why I'm asking. >> That stuff. >> This is my first time in the car. I didn't put it there. It's not my car. >> no, I I didn't have that in my >> So usually when I know everything that's in my car, right? Especially something like that. >> So here I am asking you what was in that bag? >> In that bag? What could it be if it didn't have a bag? It got to be drugs or something. >> Where did it come from? >> I have no idea, man. I don't know I smoke weed. >> Smoke weed? >> You found my grandma or I saw you with my grandma? >> Yeah. >> What what did you say? I ain't got no I ain't got no reason to lie to you. I ain't got no weed, man. >> So that bag just magically appeared in the car? >> I couldn't tell you, sir. >> drugs don't just randomly end up in my car. >> I understand, but like I said, I didn't have no drugs on me. I had it in my weed. You found the weed in my pocket. >> How long you been over here? >> Oh, four years. About four years. >> You ever known or did you any drugs? >> Nah, not like that. >> I smoke I smoke weed. >> You never had any history with drugs? >> No, sir. >> So if we already ran you, we know the answer without you even saying the correct answer. >> Yes, sir. I I never been involved with no Maybe a car accident or something like that. >> And there's nothing missing on you? There's nothing tucked in on you? Nothing on your your underwear or anything of that nature? >> No, you can put your shirt down. >> That's a question I ask everybody. >> You can search me. I'm in the >> Uh we're not going to do that. >> I'm 49 years old. I ain't got no drugs or anything like that. >> All right, okay. Go back to the officer and have a seat over there. >> I don't I don't have nothing >> Anything else you want to say about this? >> No, sir. >> All right. Before I search you, do you have anything on you that's going to stick me, going to poke me, anything, any razor blades, needles, anything like that? >> No, I told you I had a lighter. No, I don't have anything. I don't even have pockets. >> Okay. All right, just spread your feet apart. Thank you. >> Hey, Alpha, leave a victim. >> Hey, buddy. Come sit back over here. >> Okay, thanks. >> Can you go sit back over here? Just for a minute. Go sit down, baby. It's okay. Go. Just for a minute. Go sit down. It's okay. Come here, buddy. Let's go sit back over here, okay? Okay, anything you want to tell me that I might have missed? Are you sure? Okay. >> Listen closely to the explanations developing here, because this is where investigators start comparing everyone's stories. The woman says she doesn't know what the white powder is and insists it wasn't hers. Her partner also denies knowing about it and says he only uses marijuana. The officer then points out that drugs don't simply appear inside a vehicle, which is a pretty direct way of challenging the explanation. At the same time, the officers already have other facts they say they observed. Marijuana, residue, a grinder, the smell of smoke, and the white baggy positioned near the driver's feet. None of those facts by themselves tells us the final legal outcome, but together they explain why the officers are taking the investigation seriously. And there's an additional issue hanging over this entire encounter. The child was allegedly exposed to the smoke. That could become a separate legal problem even if the ownership of the white powder remains disputed. >> Over there over here by the white car over there. >> Black car. Black car. >> All right. You understand what's going on right now? >> Yes, sir. I understand. >> So, it's my understanding you're saying that you have no idea what that what that bag is. >> No, I have no idea what that is. >> I'm not saying it's hers. >> It's at her It's at her feet, so she's going to she's going to take the ride then. >> If I'm not saying >> her possession. You know what I'm saying? >> I understand what you're saying. >> Unless you're saying that it's yours. >> I'm not saying it's not mine. >> So, then it's hers. >> I don't think it's hers either, but it was in the car too, but I'm not saying to her? >> Yeah, but it belongs to her mom. Her mom has passed away, so she can >> Yeah, she's using the car. >> You know, it's not like it was in the buried and stuff. It was on the floor. >> What drugs do you do? >> Weed. That's all I got. What drugs does she do? >> Weed. >> Weed, too? Do you ever lace your weed with anything else? >> No. >> Do you understand the scope of this? >> Mhm. >> When you guys were hotboxing with the kid in there. >> I understand. >> There's hard narcotics in the car. Where's the kid in there? >> It's at the floorboard of her feet. >> Not buried or anything. On the floorboard. >> No, I was sitting in the passenger seat. That's why >> Yeah. She also doesn't drive because she's jealous and she doesn't want to drive. She doesn't want to get in trouble that way. >> Right here. >> And is your license good? >> Yeah, my license is good. >> Isn't that our first rodeo? But if you're saying it's not yours and it's not yours. >> Not mine. >> All right, so who is she to you? >> That's my girlfriend. >> That's your girlfriend? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And that's >> 4 years I've been down with her. >> What's your name? >> What's up? >> No, tell me. Tell me. Yeah. What room are you guys staying in? >> 246. >> 246. All right, have a seat. Have a seat for me. >> 246. >> Have a seat for me. You don't You don't do that. What What's that? >> I don't do whatever he said he found. >> Okay. But what you do do But hold on, but what you do do is you hotbox the car with your son in the backseat with the window up. That's what you do do. Right? Right? And that's your door is open, not his. Right? >> I do smoke weed. >> With your son in the backseat with the windows up, your door was open, but not his. You don't think he's he he tests positive? You don't think so? Stand up. My partner wants to talk to you. >> Me? >> Yeah, my partner wants to talk to you. >> Got my keys. >> You good? Go to the trunk. You good? >> It's all good. Thank you. I need a double. >> You have my back for what? >> Ma'am, walk around your vehicle over here. At this >> This is the moment the investigation crosses into an arrest. The woman is still insisting that the suspected drugs aren't hers, while the officers are moving forward based on what they say they found inside the vehicle. Her concern about her son is also obvious. She repeatedly tells officers that the child has nobody else with him. But from the officers' perspective, they have to make decisions based on the evidence available at the scene, not simply on someone's denial. Notice how the officer warns her about additional contraband being discovered during the booking process. That's not a determination of guilt. It's a warning that anything found on her during jail intake could potentially lead to additional charges. The case has now moved well beyond a parking lot conversation. She is being taken into custody, and the evidence collected from that vehicle is going to become central to the charges. >> But that's not mine. >> Walk with me towards this car up here. >> But what about my son? >> We're going to work everything out and >> No, I can't leave my son. He has nobody. Please. My son has nobody, please. Please. No, no, he has nobody though. But why am I getting under arrest? It's not mine. >> One second, just face the car for me, ma'am. Okay, cross your feet behind the block, okay? So we don't have to take you down. She's fine. Ma'am, as you can see >> nobody. Please, that wasn't my >> I don't do that. >> There's no narcotics inside of this car. If when you get to the jail, you're pulled out, something is there, it will be charged >> mine. >> For a second, is there anything on you that you might have tucked in on your waistband, anywhere underneath your clothing? If you're introduced into the jail and they decide to be a victim, you can be charged with that as well. With that warning, is there anything else on you? Got a yes or no? >> No, there's nothing on me. >> Go ahead and have a seat for me, ma'am. I'm going to slide across so I can put this seatbelt on you, okay? What's up? >> I know. >> Can you just uh slide over a little bit to your left? Your arm and buckle. I'm just trying to get it so I can put your seatbelt on, okay, ma'am? >> I'm getting put under arrest. It's not even mine. You have no proof it's mine. How am I putting under arrest for because it wasn't mine, mine? How am I putting under arrest for because it wasn't mine, see? >> You guys good? All right. >> Can you please push my glasses up? >> Yeah, one second. Let me explain something to you before you go in here. I don't know if you've ever done this before or not. There's a body scanner in there. If there's anything that we missed >> There's nothing in my bra. >> Okay. Well, I'm just I'm just letting you know cuz you don't want another charge on whatever they're doing. >> Yeah. >> Nothing at all that we missed? >> No. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. >> Come on out. >> So, let's put the entire encounter together. Officers with the Orlando Police Department were conducting an area check at a hotel parking lot when they say they detected the smell of marijuana coming from an occupied vehicle. They discovered cannabis-related items and a small white baggie containing what was identified as methamphetamine. The woman denied knowing about the bag and repeatedly argued that the vehicle was not hers. However, according to the final narration, she was booked into the Orange County Jail and charged with possession of methamphetamine along with child neglect based on the allegation that she was actively smoking with her child inside the vehicle. The case ultimately illustrates why officers look beyond simple ownership when investigating suspected contraband. Location, access, knowledge, and the surrounding circumstances can all become important pieces of the investigation. The presence of the child also significantly raised the stakes of the encounter. What do you think? Were the officers justified in making the arrest based on the evidence described? Or do you think the woman's denial raises reasonable questions about possession? If you found this case as shocking as we did, make sure to hit that like button, share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for more jaw-dropping courtroom breakdowns.