arrest. Okay. >> Why? >> Have you ever heard of child neglect? >> So, what what we're going to do is issue a criminal summon for child endangering with a minute. >> Three-year-old child was left in a parking lot and called out for his mother in the middle of the night with no response. >> Put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest. Okay. [laughter] You can probably get us in grandpa's car now if you want. >> When the police followed the trail, the truth was revealed, making everyone shook. Child wandered through a parking lot, calling out, "Mommy!" in desperation. But what shocked the police even more was the mother's reaction. >> Arrest. Okay. >> Have you ever heard of child neglect? >> 916 detail. >> Trans your back. You're under arrest. Okay. There were knocks on doors, but no one recognized the child until a surprise phone call revealed the mother's identity and a story so unbelievable that it made the police suspicious. >> You thirsty? Where you think your mom is at? >> Um, my mommy's o over the teacher. >> She's a teacher? >> Yeah, she's a teacher. Look, that's a playground. >> Yeah, >> a playground with >> somebody from >> I I I went to the playground. You went to the playground. >> To the playground. But where which way did you come from? >> Um mommy's over there on the moon. >> You keep saying mommy's over here on the moon. I >> I went to the stairs. >> Did you stairs? >> Did you come down to go to the playground? >> Yeah, I come down to go to playground and the slide and blue slide. >> Okay. Who Who are you at home with? Mommy up. Is mommy in the house? >> Over that corner. Mommy's over the lake. >> She's over the lake. No, it it is not over the lake. >> Okay. >> But look, that's a water. >> Yeah. >> A waterfall. >> Okay. Where do you go to sleep at at night? Where's your room at? >> Uh uh I I go to bed. >> Where's your bed at? >> I I went to West Beach. >> We're in West Palm. >> Uh I went to the playground >> over here. >> Okay. Hey, how you doing? You all didn't lose the kid, did you? Okay. Have you ever seen this little guy running around? >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> How you doing? Um, do you have a child? >> Hi. >> How you doing? Are you missing a child? A little child? >> A little boy? >> No. All right. >> The mother insisted that she had given her child to the husband. But when questioned further, that name turned out to be a non-existent ghost. And >> you gave him to the father at what time? >> 7. around 700 p.m. or 7 a.m. >> 700 p.m. >> Have you left your your hotel or are you still there? >> No, I'm I'm still here. >> Okay. >> Um I've only been here for a couple of hours. >> Okay. >> How you doing? >> We called about your your child. Your child that's missing. >> Did you know that he was missing? >> He's supposed to be with his dad. Do you know where we found him? >> Okay. >> Where is your room? >> Okay. Who is in there with you? >> Nobody's in here. >> Thank you. >> So, you're here with who? >> Well, it's me and my son, but >> you just said that you and your son was >> We came here and >> you just said the room is for you and your dad or I'm sorry, for you and your son, but then you dropped your son off to the father. >> Yeah. Where did you drop the >> You dropped him off here. >> Okay. Where is your Where is Andy at now? >> I don't know. >> If you don't mind me asking, how did you communicate with dad to facilitate that meeting today? >> I'm going to get a Miranda car. Sergeant, >> do you have any other kids? >> Yeah. >> Where are they? >> I have another son, but he's with my uncle. >> Where do you actually live? Um, I live on my >> Why do you have a room right down the street? [music] >> To get away from what? >> Just to get away and just relax. >> He's just going to ask you some more questions, but before we turn the child back over to you, we're going to have to make sure everything is good here with uh we're going to have to check your room. We're going to have to check your car and everything. Okay. >> As police pieced together her disjointed testimony, she began repeating vague phrases. The boy still had no idea why his mother had disappeared. >> So, are you currently just living from hotel to hotel right now? >> I've just been like um just trying to get away. >> Okay, understandable. Who do you currently live with? >> My uncle. >> Your uncle? Um where where is that? >> Um I'm not sure he's >> I can't hear you, man. >> I'm not sure. >> You're not sure what >> where he is. >> No, no, no. Where were you staying today? You said this morning you woke up. at your uncle's residence. Where is that? >> No, I didn't wake up there. >> Well, you said at another hotel. My apologies. But you currently live with your uncle. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Where? >> What happened to me? >> This is all so I can understand and so that we can know if this happens again where we can come and find you so that we can give you the child. >> Um, it won't happen again. >> Sure. >> Um, I just You say I don't have the answers. >> But this is the thing, man. So nothing is really making sense right now. Basically your explanation of how things happen. We understand things happen. Okay. However, when somebody is being very evasive when we're trying to help them, it looks bad, very bad, especially when it invol involves a child. So I'm just trying to basically get your side so that I can understand why it is we got involved today and why it is that you know Liam is outside by himself. doesn't know where he is. Okay. He's supposed to be with his dad. Is there like a court order or anything like that? Okay. How do you all often communicate by phone? Yeah. Okay. Okay. Don't Don't Can I don't understand why you're uneasy right now. I'm giving you the opportunity. I'm just trying to listen it. I can understand if you were in handcuffs or something then like yeah, of course it's a reason to be uncomfortable. You're in handcuffs. But that's not the case. I just need your side of the story so that I can document in my report that's going to go to DCF why this unfortunate event happened. Just please explain. >> I can't hear you. I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> An arrest warrant was issued at the hotel. But the final shock came when the mother confessed the man she had been talking about all along never existed. Somewhat. >> Somewhat. Is it yes or no? Did you see the father today? Did you see him today? Did you hand the child over to him today? >> What's kind doing? Can I have his phone number so that I can call him? When's the last time you spoke to him? >> I deleted it. >> You deleted it. Can you show me your car logged in? >> Do I have to show you? >> You don't have to. I'm just asking. So, step out. I want to talk to you. Thank you. Let's put this up. >> 916 details. >> Put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest. Okay. Put your hands together like a prank. >> Under arrest. Okay. >> Why? >> Have you ever heard of child neglect? >> Yeah, but um I didn't neglect my child. >> Do you know what that means? Can you explain what child neglect is? >> Um when you don't take care of your kids. >> All right. Walk with me. Keep walking. See the 911? Stand right in front of the 911. >> Where is his his father? Is that right? Or is it Herbert? >> Well, um, >> what what what >> Herbert is his biological father. >> What What do you think we meant by father when we asked you that question before? >> Who's in Connecticut? >> Like who's who's there? Who's around him? >> Who is his father? It's not a trick question unless you don't know >> his um >> who who is his biological >> his biological >> chromosome father >> Herbert. >> He is where >> he's in another state. >> Okay. So who were you supposed to that you told us you dropped your child off to? You said Andy. Is Andy a boyfriend? >> Well, he's your husband. >> Where's his number in here? >> Oh my. You deleted your husband's phone number. Yeah. >> Well, you surely must know it by heart. >> She said they spoke on the phone today, so it should be on the call. >> The mother was arrested on the scene for child neglect, and the case was turned over to DCF for further investigation. The child was fed and placed in temporary custody of relatives pending a final determination from child welfare. Next, a child alone trudges down a cold highway. And when the police ask, "Does anyone know you're here?" the answer leaves them speechless. >> So, what what we're going to do is [music] issue a criminal for endangering with the mandatory. [laughter] >> You can probably go in grandpa's car now if you want. >> The 13-year-old boy shivered in the rain, admitted that he was left by his mother, but the surprise was she [music] was still secretly watching her son from afar. >> How old are you? Okay. Do your parents know you're out here? >> Yeah. I'm really close to home. >> Okay. That's the only reason we were called is cuz it's real dangerous. It's rainy and there's cars driving past. Where's Where's home? >> You want to get my mom in trouble? >> What's that? >> You want to get my mom in trouble? >> I won't get your mom in trouble. I just want you to get home safely. Okay. Give me one second. I'm going to turn my rear lights on. Yeah. You're You're not in trouble. I just don't want you hit by a car. It's raining and >> Yeah. Yeah. You want to get my mom in trouble? >> Is Is there a reason your mom in trouble? She doing okay? >> Turn your lights off. >> Okay. mad. >> Okay. So, did you run away today or how'd you end up out here in the rain? >> It's cold. >> Yeah, I was uh a second and she brought us clothes and so I asked if it was okay. >> Okay. Is she out here looking for you? >> She knows the cat I was taking, but she >> Okay. >> Okay. Um here, let me get you out of the cold. I'll get you home. Okay. That's again that's that's all I'm worried about. I want to get you home. Okay. It's It's uh almost below freezing. You're soaking wet. Are you cold? >> Not really. >> Not really. What's your mama's name? >> I don't remember, Joe. >> I think I've met her. I think I've met her before. Did you stay with your grandparents sometimes? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I was actually out there with you that day. Do you Do you remember me talking to you? >> Uh yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, I remember. I'll talk with you guys. You doing okay? >> Yeah, we're doing okay. >> You live with your mom full time now. Are you still >> Yeah, we live with my mom full time now. >> We got to clean up and we doing pretty good. >> Okay. Well, so I just wanted a break because I was yelling at her and saying stop. I didn't want to get her angry. And then I just asked if I could walk and then she didn't want me to. But so then she's been like following me like she parked there. She asked and made sure I'm okay. >> Okay. >> And all that stuff. >> So what where did you get out of the car? Do you remember like what business you were by? What street you were by? >> Um I don't know where. So you go there, you turn left and there's a bypass. It was almost around there. Did she pass you or did she did she turn a different direction? >> She's been like blowing and stopping around me like she's making sure. >> Okay. >> Police were shocked to discover this was not the first time this mother had been accused. The house had previously made them think there was a dead body inside. >> Were you out with me on that call where we almost busted through the door because the flies were in the windows and turned out she actually live there. Were you out with me on that? It was Sean. Okay. So, we opened a CPS case on this mom because for deplorable conditions um because the house was there was like dead animals lying around and um we thought she somebody was dead in there. It was so bad. So, this is her kid. So, I recognized him, started talking to him. They got in some argument. She dumped him out of the car at the bike path on Graange Hall and drove home, left him to walk and he's 13. He's so wet. This is the second time we've been called for. No parent in their right mind would. She said she she he realized he forgot his cell phone in the car and she drove by and held it up to show him that she had it and kept driving. How's it going? >> Yep. Yep, we do. I don't know if you remember. I I was out with you guys before we were at the house on straight arrow. >> Yeah. >> Uh we found him running around the road, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um go ahead and I I got all this. Go ahead and explain to me what he was in a really angry mood about fishing that he had been at. He was cursing at me. He was trying to jump out of the car. >> Okay. >> So, um I was getting concerned about him and so he pulled over. He got out of the car and he's been walking home and I've come up on him multiple times. He's like, "Come on, get in the car if you want." >> Okay. Okay. Um has this happened before? >> Yes. >> Um so I've been out here with him for probably 20 minutes. Where where have you been during that? >> I was trying to find him because I didn't know. >> So how did he end up out of your sight? because he was walking this way around and come on back and then she could have followed him. >> And then the mother returned with contradictory reasoning. She tried to justify that she just wanted to give her child time to cool down. >> Okay. And why not? >> Um I was trying to give him two days to cool down. >> Okay. Um so I know last time I was out with you guys he was staying with my grandparents part time. Has he been with you full time for a while? >> Yeah. and he's really been doing well. This is the first recent driver up in the country where he's saying he's been googling things like that and >> so >> Okay. Today you had discussion bugling ways to commit suicide. >> Well, today you didn't talk about that. He was better off. >> Okay. Um so he's he's 13. He says he's better off and you know it sounds you're leaving him in 30° weather in the rain to walk miles home. He's out of your sight for 20 plus minutes. >> Okay. And he's he's a juvenile on the on the younger side on a busy highway with no sidewalk. >> Yes, sir. I thought you let him out of your sight. >> Yes. >> He said that while he's been walking this, he's seen you pass by a few times and not stopped. >> I have stopped every [music] time. >> Okay. But before you said you didn't know he was here. You thought he was on grand. >> I haven't stopped him on this road. >> So I'm I'm going to make a call to our supervisor. Okay. I'm not I'm not going to release him to you yet. What I'm going to have you do is go sit in the car. We're going to pull over there and get off the road. Just kind of decide how we want to handle it. Right. Because this it's kind of an unusual [music] situation. I know there's there's history you have with CPS, right? Are is there still an open road has no sidewalk. What's the reason you let him out of your vehicle? Why did you drive away? He wanted to move a little bit of >> make him feel like you might need him. >> Just minutes later, the police made a no holds bar decision and what was considered a small mistake turned into a formal arrest warrant. >> Hey, let me get you help. And then you never see him again. >> I definitely scared looking for him, but I thought he was okay. And then I couldn't be getting. >> Okay. Okay. Um, go ahead and have a seat in your car. We're going to get off the road. We'll pull into the entrance over there. >> Just stay there. We'll pull over there and get off the road just so we're not walking track. So, I'm going to release him back to you in a second. Okay. I'm going to talk to him. Um, I want him to hear anything. I'm saying. Okay. I called a supervisor and discuss the situation. Okay. So, what what we're going to do is issue a criminal summon for child endangering with the mandatory coordinate. Okay. You're not going to jail. It's a misdemeanor. Um before because he's in your custody. Okay. Um any questions about that? >> Okay. Again, it's Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to send him over to you. Okay. I just wanted to [music] again I told him, you know, he's he's worried about about you, right? You're his mom's help. Um you're not going to jail. Nobody's in trouble. So, I told him cuz this is between you and us and the [music] court. He doesn't have to know. There's no reason for that. Okay. He's probably going to stay in grandpa's car now. >> [laughter] >> Grab one. He's going to take it from there. >> In Ohio, first offense, child endangerment, public endangerment, first class misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and slash or a fine of up to $1,000. The mother was detained for two days and the boy was taken into the care of his grandfather. The case is still pending and the mother is due in court next week to face a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment that could affect custody. Leaving your child in the middle of a freezing highway to give him a break. Congratulations. Now it's your turn to think hard behind bars. Hey guys, what do you think about this situation? If you like the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you very much.