off of him and I let go and he just went like that. >> Stop running. >> I'm going to be transporting you up to the jail. >> Children crying, left alone. Mothers fleeing with their kids. Fathers hiding violence behind a mask of blood. This isn't just news. It's a wakeup call for every parent. In Florida, a six-year-old boy grew so violent that police had to intervene. But the real reason that shocked them was beyond imagination. >> How often are you home alone? Like a lot. A lot or a little bit? >> A lot. >> On February 18th, 2025, West Palm Beach police received an emergency call reporting a six-year-old boy acting aggressively and attacking his own teacher. During the investigation, they were stunned to discover the boy was home alone with no one watching him. >> Kids not here today. >> Didn't show up to school. They're probably at the house. Moms are stay at home moms. >> Yeah, I figured when I seen those other small kids there. We have one that just had a December and two. >> Have you guys been out to this house before? >> Two in Colia. Two older kids in Columbia and three one in the oven, I think. Or >> two. Were you at the house or No, >> no, I was my first stop was here. See if school talk to him at all. >> Did you look at him? >> No, I didn't. This was all done after I left. >> Okay. Well, I guess we'll go check the house then, huh? >> Okay. Thank you. Sorry, you're welcome. >> 11:02 West Palm. Child's not at school today. We'll be 51 at the 10:20. >> Hi. >> Where mommy? Where's mommy? >> Can you open the door? Hi, honey. Where's mommy at? >> She went to work. >> She went to work. Where's stepdad? >> Yes. >> You're home by yourself? Nuh-uh. You're all by yourself at home. >> Why you don't go to school today? >> Today is a different day. >> Day of the dead. Is that what you said? What? What is today? Today's a different day. >> Today is a different day and I don't have to go to school. >> Why are your little brothers and sister? >> I want to work with mommy. >> They want to work with mommy. >> You mind if I come in and and check it out? Make sure everything's okay. Okay. >> You can come out here and talk with me. >> Hey. Um, so I'm here on a DCF call. I'm on a DCF call. Child's actually home alone by himself, 6 years old. >> How do you know I'm sick >> at work? >> How do you guys know? >> Nope. Nothing. I just checked the house. >> Just in the middle. Okay. Very good. >> Yeah. This is Yeah. He didn't even go to school. >> No, it's >> tablet. Mommy can call it. >> No. >> Oh, mommy on it. >> Yeah. Well, no. DCF's here. >> Yep. Okay. Bye. >> What did you eat for breakfast? Did you eat something? >> I Cheetos. >> Cheetos. >> Hi. Sorry to bother you. >> Am I I was supposed to be here for a DCF initial. I went to school. school. Kid was not at school, so he came to the house. Kid's here alone by himself. Mom's at work. >> What did you eat today? >> No. >> Six. >> No. I need you to talk to me. What did you eat today? Did you eat something yet? >> No. I I'm DCF is on the phone with the supervisor right now. >> Um, >> let me ask. But I'm guessing since this morning. When did mommy leave for work, honey? >> Right now. >> Right now? No. When? When? Like how long ago? Do you know what time >> it was? >> Was it early this morning? >> It was 2. It was 2:13. >> 2:13 in the morning. >> The more they questioned, the more shocked police became when they learned he was left home alone a lot. >> Cuz I mean, we're here because of like he's having aggressive behaviors at school, acting out, hitting the teacher. So, we're here because of like hitting and punishment. But then we get here and the kid's in his pajamas, like a home alone. Well, she has younger kids. The other kids are with her at work. And I go, "Where's stepdad?" I don't know. He doesn't know. I asked I said, "Where's stepdad?" He goes, "Uh, work." How often are you home alone? Like a lot. A lot or a little bit? >> A lot. >> A lot. You're home alone a lot? >> I was home by myself. >> Do you have a phone? >> No. >> I have still a tablet. >> Ask him. Did he know the child was home alone today? Did he know the child stay home from school? Ask her. Ask him that she's working at PGA clinic and she started on Tuesday. Well, she started today. Well, last week. >> Does she have a car? >> Also, ask her do she has a car? >> We're talking to stepdad. Is he on his way? >> Um, ask him is he on his way? Was he able to get off work? And how long would it be till you make make your hair? >> He's in Bokeh. He's getting in his car now. He got permission. Probably another 30 minutes. Come on. She going to jail. >> This forced them to call the mother right away. >> Hi, this is Officer Canoe, West Palm Beach Police. Hi, I'm looking for a Jessica Casus. Yes, that's correct. Apparently, she's an employee there, but she cleans. Is she there today? She's not there anymore. Uh, her son's left home alone right now. Hi, Jessica. This is Officer Canoe, West Palm Beach Police. I need you to come home like right now. Your child is left home alone, unattended, without an adult. So I will How long are you is it going to be until you get here? I will see you here in 30 minutes. >> Is that the stepdad or the mom? >> Stepdad, I believe, is still on the phone with DCF. He was able to give work number for mom. So I just called. She just started at this clinic. So she said that she's 30 minutes away in PGA. And I said, >> "Yep, she speaks English." Stepdad's on his way from Bokeh. That's going to be 30 minutes. And she's coming from Gardens. And she said 30 minutes. You finally got a hold of her. >> Yeah. Stepdad gave um work number. I called and they were like, "Uh, what's going on?" Like, "She needs to come home like right now." >> Just one right now, but she has multiple. I I guess the other kids were supposed to be with her, but >> But that was only the beginning. Police went on to uncover terrifying shadows of potential violence from both the mother and stepfather. >> Yeah. Not here. See anything? It's dark. What did your supervisor say? Um, waiting on dad to show up and what are you guys? >> Oh, mom's probably going to get arrested. >> Okay. Yeah, it's a concerning to us as well because he doesn't have anything in case of emergency. He was asking us about what's his password. So, he can even if he wanted to. >> No. And there's a phone in there, but it's dead and cracked. So, and I don't know if it works. >> Reasons to stay at home. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> Does she not take him to school? No, she's supposed to be taking him to school, but I don't know if this incident that h I guess there was an incident that happened at school yesterday. >> Yeah, something happened um he had an incident yesterday in school and it was more of like saying that the stepfather is hitting him. That's why I'm here. >> Right. So, it just says that he punches his teachers and displays extreme aggression. He struggles with anger and appears to have some striggers related to child childhood trauma. He says that his mom and stepdad hit him a lot. Stepdad doesn't claim him. hits him with a belt every time he does something wrong. They did see a red mark, but that was it. Mother is currently pres pregnant pregnant with stepdad's baby. Mother has other kids in other countries, I guess, in Colombia. He lives with his mom and stepdad and other siblings, step siblings. That's why we came here for an initial cuz school said he's not here today and he opens up the door. Nobody's home. >> I guess we don't know who maybe obvious. But >> I think it was school >> counselor at school because >> he does look like he's u what's the word? Physical. like he he very his mannerisms are physical. Is he violent? >> Yeah, we didn't even get into the hitting part or anything like that because >> we haven't asked about the allegations that we were so busy with trying to figure out. >> Yeah. So, yeah, I guess mom and step dad are coming. >> It might be around the same time. Stepdad said he's in Bokeh 30 minutes away and she's saying she's in garden 30 minutes away. So, but you said that did he say where the other kids were? >> He said a daycare, but I can understand. He said the daycare is located Belvadier in the lakes. I don't know. >> Lake Avenue in Belair. He said, "What daycare is over there?" >> No, it's a dayare over there. >> No. >> After some waiting, the stepfather finally came home and immediately began making excuses, trying to cover up his own misconduct. >> Let him know that my name [Music] has I received a report or concerns for physical injury or [Music] Carlos So, how does he disappoint him? He doesn't [ __ ] child. [Applause] So, he says he doesn't really have over here. Okay. He says they don't really talk about that. He calls him dad and they don't really discuss their differences. >> How long have you been together? Been with his mom. two years two years. >> And um where's his actual dad? I have no idea. >> What's the routine for him in the morning? [Music] So basically they wake him up, shower, changes, all that good stuff here and then she drop she takes him. >> Excellent thing. You know he was suspended today. the conversation kept revolving around the mother and her job. even though she was completely absent. >> He didn't he didn't know about the suspension and I guess he got a phone call today at like 8:20 or something like that from her new job because she doesn't have a working cell phone. I guess it got um disconnected or something like that and so she was able to uh talk to me today. >> Did mom tell that she was leaving home for a month? >> My mom was checking in. So he left early this morning probably around like 6:30 that he hasn't the only time he heard from her new job was today and the doctor who she works for called him to see if she was coming to work. He hasn't spoken to her until I guess this. >> What time was that that the doctor called asking where she was? 8:20. >> So she hadn't left for work yet. >> I don't know if she has left cuz she just wasn't there. >> 8:09 a.m. 597626. Yeah, that's the number that I called >> and yesterday 860. >> Did he call and ask him where she was yesterday too? >> Yeah. Yeah. Sometime two or three day continue. He called me for she me beginning work 8:00. But >> yeah. >> Mom have any family here? [Music] >> Do they help out with the kids? >> Is that his son or daughter? >> He has two um >> He has two. >> He has two and they're there. His stepson. >> Yeah. He has the 2-year-old. And is she pregnant right now? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Where's the two-month old baby's at? school contact mom to let him know that hey like he needs to go home. He said something about that he had had license at one point and they called him to take him out of school. So like once dad came home and saw that he wasn't in school and then another time that he might have been uh either no school or the one that they contact >> and he doesn't have no phone or anything that he can contact. >> Well mom's phone doesn't work anyway. >> Does he have a phone? >> No. The mother showed up and as expected immediately denied all allegations of domestic violence briefly. She said she's I said how long is it going to take you to get here? She said 30 minutes longer than 30 minutes. >> So let him know that there are concern there are concerns about him being home alone supervision without having something to call for if some emergency would break out. >> Hi Jessica here. We'll go talk to her dad. Let's go and talk down here. >> Hi, Jessica. So, we're here because there's a DCF case. Something happened yesterday at school with your son. Are you aware of that? >> I don't have a phone right now. So, the principal principal said they emailed me. Um Okay. But then when I picked him up, she gave me a statement saying that they had to restraining Carlos because he was banging his head. And before that all started, he took a toy to school and then the kids were touching his toy and he got upset and started hitting kids with it. >> Okay. That's why there's a DCF case. They they have to notify DCF of stuff like this. So DCF shows up. They go to the school, figure out he's not at school. They come here. He's all >> Yeah, because he got suspended, >> right? I don't have one on me. >> Miranda. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Got one. >> I'm with DCF. I received a report for concerns saying that the stepfather is hitting his son >> Carlos with a belt about him having aggressive behaviors in school. >> These are just the concerns. >> We're not saying that these are substantiated. >> No, he says that because I mean we had to I had to discipline as a parent. I did hit him with the belt, but I've never left marks at him. But the father doesn't hit him. >> We just scold him when he's at a parent. >> We went to the school, me and the officer. He wasn't in school. Then the next thing we do protocol is for us to come to the home residence and try to make contact with you and the kids cuz they gave us nothing for 24 hours to see them to make sure they're safe. However, when we came, kid was home alone. >> There are some concerns. There are a lot of concerns. >> He's safe. He's not in danger. >> However, when we weigh if the kids are safe or not, he doesn't have a way to contact anybody if the emergency were to arise. Asking him what would he do in case something to happen, he said he would scream for you to call. That's that's not a way to tell me all the time he would call 911. >> Even as the Miranda rights were read, the mother ignored them, failing to see how putting work before her son would bring consequences. >> Okay. Before we ask any more questions or or talk about anything, I do have to read you your Miranda rights. Okay. Um before you make any uh statements, I'm required to warn you before following constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent, not answer any questions. Do you understand? >> Yes. You have the right to the presence of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statements and during questioning. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> You cannot afford a lawyer. You are entitled to the presence of a courtapp appointed lawyer. Any statement can and may be used against you in the court of law. At any time during the interview, you do not wish to answer any questions. You have the privilege to remain silent. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> I can make no threats or promises to induce you to make this statement. It must be of your own free will. Do you understand that? >> What time did you leave today? >> 8:30. >> 8:30 in the morning. I've been told that you have other kids that are at a daycare. Is that correct? and he is not allowed to be at school. So, he's suspended. So, why did you leave him home alone? >> Because that somebody was going to come and be with him. I was going to come leave work early and be with >> Yeah. What time were you planning on getting here then? >> At 1:00. >> At 1. Leaving. >> So, what time did you plan on earlier coming home? Because you didn't show up until we called. >> At 1:00. I was going to come at 1:00. I was leaving at 1. Came out. It's 1:42. My work is 30 minutes from here and there's traffic. >> Okay. Right. But do you think that 4 hours your six-year-old child home alone for 4 hours? What is he going to do if there's an emergency? >> What do you mean? What is he going to do if the house >> if the if the house started on fire? Someone someone's apartment down here started on fire and it started burning up there. >> What would happen? How does he going to call 911? >> He goes to the neighbors and ask them for to contact. >> Okay. So, you think that a six-year-old child is capable of being home alone by himself? >> No, I know he's not. >> So, then why did you let that happen? >> Because I had to go to work. So work is more important than the safety of your child, >> you know. Okay. I I get it. You just had a new baby. You have two You have three kids. He works. He's got to go to work. And then you're back at work. And then John Carlos gets suspended from school, >> right? >> I get it. Was there any other option? Do you have family here? >> No. Everybody's working. I don't have anybody to watch. >> Do you have like a babysitter you use on the side? >> Sometimes. Yes. >> Did you call her? >> She wasn't available. >> When did you call? >> I didn't call her, but I called her two weeks ago. She says she's not available. >> So, she wasn't available for two two weeks ago, but you didn't call her today. Okay. So, yeah, I I get it. It's a struggle. What about the daycare that the other two kids went to? Do they What's the deal with that? >> I have to sign him up for that. >> Can I get another name of that dayare? >> Happy kids. And it's alphabet bel. >> Yes. >> However, the law was not on her side. The mother, Jessica Patricia Cassus, was arrested on charges of child black without great bodily harm, a thirdderee felony. Under Florida law, she faces up to 5 years in prison or 5 years of probation along with a fine of up to $5,000. >> So, basically, our issue here is that your 6-year-old child has no has no way of calling 911. He's smart, but he doesn't know how to make himself food. I saw that there were eggs in there, but that's really it. And he said he walked down to a neighbor to get a snack. Yeah, he usually comes to the neighbor next door or down here. >> Okay, so I think he said the one down here. That's not appropriate. Okay, >> I understand that. I don't tell him to go out anywhere. >> You will be arrested today for child. >> Okay, >> I'm going to be arrested. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Four plus hours is unacceptable to leave your six-year-old child home alone. You know, maybe 10, 15 minutes. I got to run here real quick. He's fine. Maybe. But, God forbid something happened to him. He turned on the stove. >> He doesn't go near the kitchen. >> He was in the kitchen the whole time I was there. >> All right. But he doesn't turn anything. >> Okay, that's fine. >> Well, true. >> Do you have anything in your pockets here? >> Yeah, my wallet and my phone. >> Is your phone working right now? >> No. >> Okay. >> Sorry. Do you want to keep this stuff here at the house? Your wallet and your phone with your husband? >> Am I going to need my wallet? >> You have an ID? >> Yes. >> I don't know if you'll necessarily need the whole thing. ID. >> Yep. Um, and do you have anything else in your pockets? >> No, I don't think so. >> We just have to check. >> Can I have a baby like headway feeder? >> I don't know. >> Does the jail do you have a pump? >> Yes, it's in my car. >> You might have to ask your nurse. I don't know if the jail will let you in with it. >> I don't know. I can call both. >> All right. I'm going to put you in the backseat of my car. All right. >> I'm going to go give this to your husband. Okay. [Music] 1102 1110 15. >> She's going to call and see if um you're going to be allowed to bring a pump in. But do you not have milk already there? >> She drink my sweets. >> Okay. >> In today's world, everyone is busy making a living. But being busy can never excuse abandoning your children because even a single moment of parental nelect can place them in danger both physically and emotionally. If the abandonment case in West Palm Beach shocked you, brace yourself for Fort Meyers, where children were swept into a relentless, breathless chase. >> Stop running. >> On May 29th, 2024, Fort Myers police in Florida carried out what seemed like a routine traffic stop. But as they approached, the father suddenly fled, turning a simple traffic check into a breathless chase. >> Stay in the car. >> No. Car. Car. Sit in the car. Turn it off. >> Sit in the car. Alpha Romeo 0 2X Honda directly. You got to cut it off. >> That's all he's trying to do. >> No, I'm talking. >> Yeah. >> No. Sit in the car. >> No. No. He's telling me turn off the car. >> Okay. You need to sit in the car. >> Sit in the car or I'm going to put you in handcuffs. See, >> sir. Get a water. >> No. I don't got the driver going through the shell gas station. >> He's running after flea masters. A Spanish male, black shirt, black shorts. He lost his slides. We're running northbound through flea masters. Stop running. Stop running. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> Give me your hands. Give me your hand. Why are you trying to learn the >> double? Okay, >> that's a light Honda sedan beat up. The tag is a correct tag. burning. They're supposed to get here, but they slapped on the Honda. >> With no chance left to escape, the father was immediately handcuffed and taken to the police car. >> Huh? >> Yeah, there's more people in the car. >> You got multiple units running close to you? >> Yeah, I'm good. I'm 104. >> All right, stand up. >> I I'm um fit in the older model Honda. >> Yeah, 104. First is going to be Alpha Romeo Zero. anything do that stupid >> because his wife told him not his wife told him to run the car stop turning moving the Get out of line. Get out of line. >> Okay, papa. >> Meanwhile, taking advantage of the officer's distraction, the mother sped off with the children in the car, kicking off a second chase. >> Put your hands up. Put your hands up. >> Hands up. Out of the vehicle. Go point to Douglas. Hands up. Everybody get your hands up. >> Okay. Get your hands up. Okay. >> It's just you. It's just you. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. Hold on. Hey guys, turn your sirens off. >> Yeah, forward and lift vehicles at gunpoint. Giving command. >> Ma'am, do me a favor. Step out of the vehicle. Keep your hands up. Step. Tell everybody who >> tell the passenger to keep his hands up. >> Just watch crossfire. I'm going to block off. >> Okay. Okay. >> South and east. >> Turn around for me. Just walk towards me. Turn around. Keep walking towards me. Keep walking towards me. >> Keep walking towards me. You're fine. You're fine. Keep walking towards me and >> keep walking towards me. You're good. All right. Nobody running code at this point. >> It's going to be all kids. >> Yeah, it's going to be all kids. >> Hey, you guys can step out the car. >> There's just going to be children. >> It was then that she realized the gravity of the situation and in despair cried out her children's names. >> He's 13, sir. He's 13. >> Okay, hang over here with me. Okay. >> I just want to look at my kids, please. My kids touch me. Go ahead. I just want to see. >> Okay, calm down. Okay. lying. What is going on? >> Okay, we'll explain everything to you in a second. Just hang out. Okay. >> I just want to look at my kids, please. >> Okay. Who's in the vehicle with you? >> My kids. >> Okay. >> Can you Let me see my kids. Give us a second. Okay. >> How many kids are in the vehicle? >> Four. >> Okay. >> All right. Can Can I I can't be close to them at all. >> Just hang right here. Okay. They're still trying to figure everything out. >> Auano. Auanto. Don't let me go with the phone. here. >> Can they call my mom for just in case? You got your phone, puppy? >> Oh, he can rub his phone. >> Just give him give him a couple minutes. >> Oh my god. The baby got autism, please. >> I don't want him. They're okay right there. >> Um, if you can cut off the switch to cut it. He's asking how to turn it off. >> Yeah, turn it off. >> Cut the the switch on the bottom. My son can help you if you guys allow him. >> Any weapons in the vehicle? >> No. Oh, are you sure? >> I'm positive. Do >> you have any family that can take care of the kids? >> I'm call my mom. >> Your phone in the car? >> My phone? Yeah. Super car. Me? >> Yes. >> Your mom? >> Oh, yes. >> Is that Who's coming? Who's >> your call again? >> Call her again. Am I being arrested? >> What could have ended with just a ticket turned into much more when she drove off with the children unbuckled. Now, will those tears be enough to undo the damage? So unfortunately, yeah, you have no license. Your license is not valid. I don't speak Spanish, but I speak you speak English perfectly. >> You're understanding just fine. >> You don't have a license. Your license isn't valid. Okay. Plus, it's not I don't know why. >> I'll look into it to see exactly why, but your license is not valid. Plus, you got kids in the backseat of the vehicle that don't have proper restraints. >> So, you're going to get tickets for that as well. And then you're probably going to get hit with resisting also because an officer does a traffic stop. your boyfriend, husband, baby, dad, whoever takes off running and then you get in the car and you decide to leave. >> I'm just nervous. I didn't know what happened. >> So, you don't leave a traffic stop. >> Officer does a traffic stop. The car stop the car and stop the car and all the occupants who are detained are not going to leave. You're leaving is resisting that officer's authority. Okay. >> Okay. >> I wasn't driving. >> Do you have anything on you that you shouldn't have? >> Do you want to search? >> All right. Come stand right here. Face the car. You don't have anything on you. It's going to stick me from No, I don't. Keep facing the car. Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> That's my problem. >> Yep. >> I'm just going to shake it out. All right. Face the car. Spread your feet a little bit more for me. >> Police. I'm sorry. >> All right. Nothing I didn't find. Okay. Cuz it's an extra charge if we get to the jail and you got something on my >> You got You got to wait. Okay. Take a seat and I'll let you at the end. Okay. >> Okay. The father and mother were arrested and held on charges of resisting an officer, moving traffic violations, and driving with a suspended license. The mother faces up to one year in jail or probation and a $2,000 fine, while the father faces a harsher penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Being a parent is not optional, and a child's safety must always come first. Fleeing or taking reckless risks doesn't just bring fines or jail time. It breaks trust and puts children in real. But Florida didn't stop there. In Palm Beach County, a 4-year-old was wandering alone while the mother was lost in alcohol and denial. >> What do you drink? Was it beer? Was it What was it? Just a drink. >> On February 26th, 2025, Palm Beach County, Florida police received a call reporting a 4-year-old boy wandering alone. They quickly intervened to ensure the boy's safety while collecting statements from every witness on the scene. >> Good afternoon. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Where'd you find this handsome young man? >> The street. >> Okay. >> What's your name? >> I'll get all kinds of We don't want to blame that. That's not much funny. >> Here. Somebody here. >> What's your name? >> Yes. >> It's a flashlight. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You can play with the flashlight. maybe driving around. He didn't know the house. >> No, he can. We asked for the hair. >> Could you talk to him in Spanish? Cuz my Spanish >> No, he speak English. He said because when I'm when I went in the phone, he say, "Mom, mom." And then and he speak English. They're not speaking Spanish. >> He acts like he's um a little autistic. >> Yeah. >> I think that's okay. >> Stealing my stuff. >> No, they don't steal the stuff. >> No, nobody got to get your driver's license first. Not up on the X for a ride. >> Yes. >> You do. Where you want to go? >> Lost kid. >> Lost kid. >> Nobody recognized. >> Nobody recognizing. >> You never saw this kid before? >> No. >> Somebody give it to me. Absolutely. So somebody flagged you down to >> Yeah. because the kid is in the street and somebody coming from the work I'm parking and somebody say do you know that kid and I say no because he alone in the street and nobody know and everybody start to come and when I say but I call the police that one lady holding him and no no no okay I give it to you. You call the police and I >> thank you very much for calling. >> Yeah because that's the best we nobody know what you going to do. Call the police. Is that it? >> Yeah, that's the best we can do anyway. Figure out where he lives cuz he didn't have a wallet off. >> No, nobody trying to knock that on. >> You trying to steal my car again? >> Yeah. >> Did you give him those shorts? >> Are those on them or did you give him? >> No, ma'am. You've done your Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Bless you. The diaper gets a little bit. >> Police also traced the path back to the home where the mother's condition raised yet another concern. >> Come on. >> Let's go. >> Let's go. Let's go. >> Y Come on. Let's go. You poopy. Yeah. [Music] >> Excellent. >> Sick boy. Okay. >> What address is this? Is >> that your mommy? Is that mom? [Music] >> Is that your mom? Is that your mom? Is that mommy? >> No. >> Let's go. Let's get out of here. You ready to get out of here? >> Yeah. [Music] Come here. >> You're not in trouble, buddy. [Music] Yeah. >> Stumbling steps and a vacant stair said it all, but she casually declared, "I'm not affected by anything." >> Have a little Houdini get out of the house. >> Don't know. Not sure. >> No, he just he has he just opened the door. That's it. But he's never been outside by himself. He's never been unoccupied. Like >> he's never done this before. >> No. might want to consider getting some childproof locks inside. >> I'm going to go on Amazon. I by today I'm going to go on Amazon. >> And you're the mom? >> Yes. >> Okay. Anybody else in the house? No. >> Do you have anybody else that can come to the house? >> We I have my mother comes to the house all the time. He has his father. >> Where's the father? >> Working right now. >> Does he live here, too? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What are you under the influence of? >> Nothing. >> Nothing? >> Yeah. Listen, I've been doing this for a couple of uh years and you're definitely under the influence of something. I'm not 100% sure what, but it's more than obvious. What happened to your leg? >> What? >> Switching. >> What? Who's watching him right now? If no one's inside. >> Yeah, he literally just went inside right now. He's with me. He's okay. >> Do you take any medication? >> No. >> Oh, do you have any diagnosis? >> No. >> No. Have a seat, too. We're >> I would rather >> Yeah, I I would rather for you to sit here now. Thank you. >> I would rather be. >> That's okay. That's fine. >> Last name of >> Stand with him. You can leave the door open. >> Sierra India. >> I don't think you'll understand of Delilah. She's a white female. 42 of 93. >> It's okay, baby. Where is it? It's okay. It's okay. >> Just that one. >> It's okay. Mommy's out here. Mommy's out here. >> Do you have a cell phone? >> Yes. contact somebody that is in a better condition than you. >> Yeah. >> Now, leave the door open. >> Yeah. >> However, when asked how long the boy had been missing, she stammered, unable to speak. >> Your child is wandering around the street. You don't know where he is. You don't know how long he's been gone. >> He wasn't gone very long because >> But you don't know how long he's been gone. He wasn't gone very long because what? >> Was he gone 5 minutes? Was he gone an hour and a half? No, he was on gone an hour and a half. >> And how do you know? >> Because the last time I made a phone call was at 2:55. >> Okay. And >> it's longer than that now. >> But prior to that, >> almost an hour. Exactly. >> But prior to that, >> I did go on my phone. So, he wasn't gone longer than that. And he was down the street. Does your ring doorbell work? It's dead at the moment. >> How long have you lived in Palm Beach County? I mean ballpark >> over 15 years. >> 15 years. How long have you lived here in this >> apartment? >> Maybe four or five >> months. Years. >> Years. >> Years. Okay. And in that time, how many times has your kid gone running off? >> Never. >> No. He's three years old. >> He's four. >> Four. >> Yeah. >> He's never gone running off. We've been here for over 4 years. Our landlord used to live across the street. He passed away due to CO. >> She even avoided answering seemingly simple questions. What did you drink? >> We need to know what kind of drugs you took today. >> I didn't take any drugs. >> What did you do today? >> What did you do? Because you're not very lucid. >> You're very slow. Almost >> slow because I want to make sure that whatever is going on like >> I'm telling you based on my training experience, 21 years of law enforcement, you're high. >> I'm not high. >> You fell and you're gushing blood out of your leg and you have no idea how you did that. I can promise you >> you didn't know your child's missing and you live in about a 600 foot apartment. So I need to know what kind of drugs you're on. >> I can promise you I don't do drugs. I've never done drugs. I don't do anything. No, nothing. I can't do drugs. I don't do drugs. >> So right now sober is enough. >> Yeah. I don't do drugs. I can't do drugs. Like I can promise you there is not like a single thing that >> Is that a storage closet? >> Yes. >> What about alcohol? You can check my storage closet if you please. >> No, no, it's not. >> Sorry. >> Have you had any alcohol today? >> I had a drink, but that's it. >> What did you drink? Was it beer? Was it What was it? >> Just a drink and then >> like was it What kind of alcohol was it? >> Beer. >> What flavor? >> What was it? You're very funny and I don't like you. I'm just going to pick that up. >> That's okay. You're not alone. >> No, I know I'm not alone. Yeah. No, he's never gone out of the house. He's never done anything like this. So, this is like a first. >> What about what you have drank? We're trying to figure out why you are so you appear to be intoxicated. Okay. You just avoided answering a simple question about what you have drank. >> Well, >> you avoided it. Okay. Any logical person would just say you either avoided it or you intent unintentionally avoided it because you got something wrong with you. >> The way you're coming at me is really very aggressive. So, so what I'll tell you >> this only heightened the officer's suspicions. >> We're police. >> I know. I understand that. >> What the kids want? >> A very good friend of mine. I have very good friends in the department. >> Just give you a little perspective, right? Our job is to investigate crimes. >> Yes. >> And if we got a four-year-old running around with dirty diapers who can't tell us where he lives or who mom is or anything else cuz he's really essentially non-verbal, that's a potential crime. So, we're investigating a crime. That's why we're asking you a question because it could have been something simple like, "Yeah, he just snuck out when you weren't looking." >> Well, no, he did. >> Or you because of your your drinking, >> you rendered yourself incapable of taking good care of him and he snuck out. >> Well, no. I promise you there's never been a time where I've had something to like indulge where he snuck out. >> Okay. >> But yes, he did today. And I'm horribly unfortunately. Like, >> do you remember when you had a drink? Was it home? Was it like did you go >> I didn't go out. >> Okay. >> Did not go out. So it was here. >> Yeah. Okay. And I was wondering do you remember what it was or you just don't want to tell us? >> No, I remember what it was. But I feel very pressured. >> We're pressured. We're pressured as well. We're pressured as well. So >> you know you're extremely Yes. >> I do remember. However, >> so >> he's never done this before. So >> too many chances were missed. The officer's patience ran out and the handcuffs were finally brought out. >> What could we do to make you feel more comfortable to answer this question cuz we get excited about little kids. >> No, I know. And I get that. I 100% like I'm a mama bear, so I'm like overly like getting into things. You could start by stop being so aggressive. >> You're not going to tell me what to do first of all. Okay. >> You don't have to stand up. Just put your hands behind your back. Okay. >> Well, no. >> Yeah, you will. >> Okay. We'll see. >> We'll see how that works. >> See why I want to be nice. We tried to be very nice and try to figure out your situation. >> If you take your sweater off, you're not it's not very a nice outfit. >> Can we get you some shorts? >> I can go grab some. >> No, you're not. >> Okay. Well, see, this is not necessary here. >> You cannot put us at ease that you were able to take care of your child and it'sed by your actions and what happened today that you are not able to take care of your child. You're not. >> Yeah. So, a technical term is allay our fears. tried talking to you. You said we were aggressive. You avoided our questions. Very aggressive. You were being very, very mean. And >> make sure your son is taken care of. And I wish you had that his interest in your >> And I do. I do have his best. >> Sit back down. Please have a seat. I don't want you falling down again. Okay. >> Crazy. >> You are not in the right state to take care of a child. >> I am. >> That's why we were here today. We tried to have you put our fears at ease. You cannot you cannot explain yourself or you're >> I can explain myself. You chose not to listen to me. >> And I said he was fine. This was a one time off. However, you came very aggressive, so I didn't feel at ease. >> Understandable. Did you thank my deputies for locating your child? Did you thank anybody? That's something a normal mother who wasn't impaired would do. Okay. In the end, she lost her role as a mother, and the child was placed with relatives, those sober and trustworthy enough to ensure their safety. >> What's the history here? >> Oh, I know. I know she only drinks. >> She drinks. >> Okay. >> I know it's not drugs. >> So, long story short, child's found wandering the street over there, dirty diaper, afraid, nonverbal, you know, obviously special needs of some sort. We come in contact with that, go knocking door to door. The deputies do a great job by finding the mom, but she upon first contact obviously something's wrong. She's either intoxicated, she's fallen, she's bleeding on her left leg. She doesn't know how she's fallen. So, these are things that have us very, you know, nervous about leaving a child with her. So, with what's happened here with the with the kid being gone and not even knowing and the state that he's in, it's it's a crime. Okay. So, she's going to go to jail. We obviously are concerned about the care of the child, >> who we can leave this child with. Have you guys ever taken care of this kid before? >> My wife watches him all the time. >> Okay. >> Does she watch him here or at your house? >> Here. He's came over to our house before. >> She able to come here. >> I can stay here with him until she gets here. >> I know that he's never like I don't know how he got out. I don't He never got out before. >> She's not the devil locked. When you guys knocked on the door, was it open? >> I wasn't here. >> You can check the ring cam. Maybe see like >> dead. >> Oh, is it? >> Camera's dead. We tried to check it. Asked her about it. >> Yeah. I don't know what happened here, but she does drink, but that's unlike her. >> Does she drink like a lot or just occas? >> Unless she's been arguing with her her husband >> because of the drinking. >> Well, he's the one with the drinking problem. So, it's like >> Oh, they both Yeah. Yeah. But he drinks more is what I'm saying. I don't drink at all. So, I don't understand any of it. >> Yeah. Save a lot of money that way. >> Yeah. >> You okay with surfing a bit? >> Yeah, of course. >> So, the lady's down the street changed his diaper, cleaned him up, gave him a pair of shorts, some socks. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know when the last time he ate. He's got like maybe like autism or something. >> She's with him 24/7. You know, she doesn't she doesn't work right now, so she stays with the kid. Her husband works. >> All right. Well, I appreciate the the backstory on this cuz she doesn't like me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. She may not seem like it right now, but she's really good girl. You know, she's always uh her and my wife were bartenders back in 10 years ago when I met him both, but good people. Well, I don't know why the hell she's drinking like this, but >> the mother was arrested on charges of childact. Under Florida law, if convicted, she could face up to 5 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a fine of up to $5,000. >> All right. Can we get you some flipflops or something? >> No. >> You don't want any shoes? >> Yeah, >> both. >> I'm going to sit here with you. >> Um, I'm going to I'm going to take your jewelry off now because otherwise they'll take it at the jail. So, he said to us that you have a drinking problem. >> Oh, definitely. >> So, hopefully, you know, this is a wakeup call and your son's okay and you can get some help for that. Okay. This could have ended bad. You could have got hit by a car. He could have gone missing in one of these waterways. Is he autistic? >> No. >> What What's his condition? Is he just special needs? >> I just have to jail. All right. Welcome. Me, please. >> All right. Do better, ma'am. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm afraid we got to go in the the old the old car. >> The old guy, old car. Watch your head. >> So, listen. If it's I know it's uncomfortable with your hands behind your back like that, but that's our policy. I can't really much. >> You're fine. >> If it's more comfortable to kind of turn a little bit so you're not putting pressure on your wrists, you sure? >> I'm fine. You're fine. You're fine. >> And also, the AC back here is terrible. >> It's okay. >> So, if you start getting hot, please tell me. I'll crack the windows for you. Adults sometimes think they have everything under control, but they don't realize that a single moment of negligence or a single drink can turn a child's childhood into a nightmare. Putting Florida aside for now, our next stop is New Mexico, where a violent father is hiding terrifying secrets. >> And so I keep trying to push him away and finally I just pushed him away a little harder and he fell. On January 17th, 2024, an emergency call led police to a home where a child accused their father of both verbal and physical. When police arrived, screams echoed all the way to the gate. And immediately, the father, Aragon, stepped out, becoming the focus of intense questioning. >> Yeah, we just had a report in the kindergarten that the child made reported to school staff that the dad was angry a lot and needs him. He wanted to live with his mom. reported that multiple incidents of death pushing him to the ground. Reported that he got scared um at night and his dad ended up pushing him to the ground again. They have been I guess gave him groceries cuz the dad has been having a hard time and then dad got mad at him again. He didn't have any marks or bruisings according to the school, but he reported that dad hits him in the face and he made a fist. He reported that dad has kicked him. He was asked about if he understood his private area and he said yes and that's where her dad had hit him. kicked him. Calls him names. Dad has choked him before. Calls him stupid. Get out of my house. Calls me [ __ ] Calls me f word. Gives me the middle finger. And it was reported by a teacher. >> Yeah, but it's anonymous, but it's reported to school staff, it says. >> So, the kids reported it to the school yesterday, but then they just sent you guys like a like an email of it or like >> It's a It's a They made a report. >> So, they didn't contact law enforcement? >> No. So then they just let the kid go home with his dad after saying all that. And there's no record of mom at all. >> No, it doesn't say anything. It just gives the dad father as a reference, but that's it. >> Hopefully he's here with the kid. I did find a grandpa in on the kids power school so I can give you that information if you need it. >> Damn it. >> Why can't you ever just do what you're told, you stupid? >> Officer Fernandez with Farmington Police Department. >> Hi. >> Hello. Well, can we talk to you outside? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. So, we can hear that you're pretty upset. Okay. So, we're just going to talk to you about some stuff that's going on. Okay. With your son. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> How do you say your name? >> I go by Athena. >> Athena. Okay. >> How do you say his name? >> Aragorn. >> Aragorn. Where is he at inside the house? Cuz I need >> this room. I just threw him in this room for a timeout because I'm trying to walk away. >> Do I have your permission to go make sure that he's okay real quick? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> As officers entered the house, a young boy appeared covered in bruises. trembling as he said, "My dad hurts me." >> How are you? You okay? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. You need a hug? You upset? >> Cuz my dad hurt me. >> Okay. Where did Where did he hurt you? >> He pushed me and that's what he did >> just now. Can I see like your hands and stuff to make sure you don't have any boo boos or nothing? >> Okay. You want to pull up your sleeve for me so I can see your arms? You look a little bit red on your arms right here. What happened? See that right there? What happened? You know, >> dad just pushed me. >> He pushed me. What about these ones? Was that from the same thing? Okay. You got some red stuff. Where did you hit? Was it your back or was it up here? >> It was up here. >> All right. And that's where you hit. Did it hit your face at all? Okay. What side? >> This one. >> That side. All right. How old are you, Airborne? You're six. Can I Hey, let me see the back of Can I see the back of your neck real quick? You can play with your toys. I just want to look at the back of your neck. Okay. >> My dad. This is really easy. >> You got any boo you got any boo boos on your legs? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That one? >> Yep. I'll show the other one. >> What happened with those? Do you remember what happened to your knees? What happened? >> Look at this. >> Oh my goodness. What happened? >> Michael pushed me. >> Who's Michael? >> Michael's just like my brother. >> Your brother? Does anybody >> He really scratched me right there very hard. >> Okay. >> Yeah. That's why I start crying. That was a very long time. How old is Michael? >> Uh, eight. >> He's eight. And he's your he's your brother? >> Yep. >> Who else lives here with you? >> Um, my dad. >> Just your dad. Nobody else? >> Yeah. Grandpa and Michael just Michael just come and grandpa. >> Do you feel safe with grandpa? >> Yeah. >> And mom. >> Grandpa and mom. >> I scared of storm cuz I every time I get scared of storm, I just hide in my blanket. >> Okay. All right. >> I've been clean my room. Your room isn't that dirty, though. >> In an attempt to explain, Aragon admitted, "Sometimes I get aggressive, but I've never done anything to the boy." And so, the story continued with a string of excuses. >> The only kind of hitting that's happened before is been spanked. As far as any kicking and stuff like that, I have some aggression at times where I'll break personal items, but never anything that goes on to him. I do yell, you know, it's single parent. There's times where in the mornings he just doesn't he doesn't want to listen to me and so he throws tantrums and I'm trying to get him ready for school. I can't get to work on time and I can't do the things I need to do to provide for him. And so it perpetuates and that anger just builds up and I don't know what to do because I don't have a support system and I'm transitioning and I don't have a support system for that and I just I don't know what I'm supposed to do when I get frustrated cuz it's like just now I was trying to walk away and he keeps grabbing me and pulling me away and trying to like hit me and so I keep trying to push him away and finally I just pushed him away a little harder and he fell and I don't I don't know what to do in those situations. Like I don't want to hurt him. I don't want to touch him, but if he's grabbing onto me when I'm trying to walk away and I'm frustrated, what am I supposed to do? And I've got him in counseling with I've got in family counseling. We're going to Judy Beck and there's been times where we've talked about things and we've been trying to work through it. So, I'm trying to go through the motions to get to a point where it's not bad for him at home, but I, you know, I don't I'm just lost. I don't, you know, I don't know what resources there even is for single parents to, you know, >> Where's his mom? >> She's in South Carolina. Does he have any contact with her? >> She's supposed to video chat with him once a week, but it's more like once every two weeks if we're lucky. And I've talked to her about trying to be more involved and trying to contact him more often. And she says that she will be, but she doesn't. She left suddenly. She just left during co. She said that she was going to go live with her mom. He had 50/50 custody and he was doing great during that time. He was thriving. When she left, it was put all on me. >> So, what we're going to do is just kind of, you know, I'm going to go ahead and talk to him as well. We can also offer resources to you to kind of support. We have family support services that can also come in through the home and help you out. I know they do. It's through Desert View. Have you gone through that? >> I haven't gone through Desert View before. Um when I first was 50/50 custody with his mom. He was in it was a special needs program and stuff and they came and visited with us before, you know, and he was thriving during that time. I was doing okay because I had someone else who could help help me on that. And so I was doing a lot better. There wasn't any yelling ever or anything like that. I forgot. Round tree. That's what they're called. Okay. >> Round treat. Yeah. So, I was with them for a long time. Okay. >> When he got older, they said that they could continue service with him, but they didn't see need to at that time. >> Along with his so-called child rearing and discipline methods. >> Does he have any developmental disabilities? >> No. His uh school counselor is um said maybe to see if he's high functioning autistic, but there's no huge signs of that. >> Okay. How do you discipline him? >> Generally, I usually try to put him in a timeout, but lately he's just been disobedient and stuff like that. So, I usually just get frustrated. I'll take away toys and TV and stuff, but he just tries to escalate the situation. He'll call me names. He'll try to hit me, tell him that's not appreciated. I'll put him in timeout and then eventually he just escalates to a point where I don't really do it too often, but sometimes I'll spank him and it's not harder than, you know, it's enough to maybe make him go like this, but it's about like that. >> Okay. And it's and he's usually I wouldn't say fine after that, but he's he's frustrated and then he tells me I'm mean and then usually I can walk away at that point. But otherwise he'll just scream and cry for hours. >> How many times do you usually think? >> Maybe twice a week. It's not often. >> Like at the time? >> Oh, just once. >> Yeah, just once. >> And then with your hand belt or >> just hit my aunt. >> Okay. You're on Medicaid? >> No, I Well, I was before. He should still be. I had insurance through work, but now >> any substance use? >> Um, I smoke. >> How frequently do you? >> Once a day. >> When was your last use? >> Last night. >> Okay. Is that around your son or is it >> No, it's usually after he goes to bed. >> And the boy, a shocking secret was just revealed, prompting police to whisper. Let's just talk quiet. >> We need to put him on a 48 hour hold. >> Oh, okay. >> With everything he just told me. I don't know if he showed you his You want to Hey, remember what we were talking about earlier? What happened right here and on the other side? Your boo boos. >> That's from my dad. >> They're from your dad. >> And that's the blood came out of my nose. >> What was that? >> That's the blood came out of my nose. >> Blood came out of your nose and it feels really bad. And there's some in my bathroom. >> I can hear. Let's just talk quiet. Okay. >> Where's my dad? >> He's downstairs talking to somebody else. Okay. So, we just got to make sure that you're okay. This is Eric Gorn and he's 6 years old. Bruises on his face. He's got one right here on his right side that kind of looks like a line. It kind of looks new to me. On the other side is a little bit bigger. It's like right next to his mouth. Kind of the size of the quarter. So, I don't know if there's any internal things going on. We are going to put him on a 48 hour hold. And I'm going to try to transfer transport the dad to detective. So, >> where is parent? Dad is downstairs, but dad goes by Athena. >> Oh, that was bad. Purple. >> With alarming signs, the child was placed in protective custody for 48 hours. >> Sorry for that. Wait, Athena. So, there is some bruising and stuff on Aragorn. Okay. >> Yeah, there's a few. And there's some scratches and some redness on him. We are going to We have no choice but to put a 48 hour hold on him because he has bruising and stuff like that. So, what that means is he's going to be transported by medics to the hospital and he's going to get evaluated for the injuries that he does have. He is making some statements about how he got those things. So, that's something law enforcement has to investigate. And with that being said, we can't have you in contact with him until everything's done being investigated. >> With that, his counselor, she going to be allowed to be involved in and such >> his school counselor or >> his medical counselor. is medical counselor. Okay. Judy Beck >> and she's my personal counselor as well. >> She's been working with us. >> So, my biggest question right now is are you willing to go with us to the detectives to talk about what's going on just because it's a more formal sit down place or are you >> am I going to be appointed an attorney? >> If you want an attorney, that's 100% you're right and you can have one. >> And if I choose not to go down to the diagos with you guys, I'm just trying to get >> talk here if you want. Yeah, we we we can talk here, but if you want an attorney, you always can have an attorney present. >> Yeah, I would like to talk here and I would potentially like some kind of attorney. That's an option. >> The Miranda rights were read and Aragon quickly seized the chance to recount his difficult battles with his stubborn son. >> We all have rights. So, you have the right to remain silent. Obviously, if you want an attorney, we can facilitate that if that's something that you would like. And if not, if you're open to answering questions here, I can sit down with you and we can have a chat. >> Yeah. I mean, let me sit down. Let me sit down. So, what are your preferred pronouns? >> She hurt. >> So, Thea, what happened? >> This morning, he had woken up and it was a pretty normal morning. And um I went to go get him dressed and I asked him to turn off the TV and it was time to get ready to go and he said no. I asked him again. He said no. And this time it turned off the TV and I could tell he was frustrated. So, I walked away. I let him be upset. And then I came back. I was like, "All right, let's get dressed." He told me no. Well, then I'm going to be the one that gets you dressed then cuz I need you to go to school. And he said no. And then he started fighting and all this. So I sat down on the chair and I was trying to take off his shirt and he was swinging himself around and he swung himself into the chair and he hit himself on the cheek and then he started crying and screaming and then I didn't know what to do to get him to calm down cuz he didn't I tried to hug him. He didn't want that. I tried to say I'm sorry. He didn't want that. I tried to walk away and that was pretty much it. He just kept escalating and I just said, "Okay, fine. You know what? we just won't go to school today. I've been jobless. So, I've been trying to put job applications out. So, I was frustrated because I can't go and do that because I'm worried about taking care of them. Been hanging out all day. We played with Legos. We had a Nerf war. I took a break. I was just on the computer just doing some job stuff. Came in my room. And he'd asked me for a snack. I said, "Sure, give me just a second." And then he started calling me names and stuff. I was like, "You're not going to have a snack. If you're going to be mean to me, you're just going to end up in timeout." He just kept being rude and I said, "Please stop." up and he said no. So I was like, "All right, fine. You're going to go to your room." And so I went to go pick him up and then he dropped his body dead to the floor and was dragging his body against the floor when I still had his arm in my hand. So I let go and then he got all upset. So I tried to pick him up by the body and then place him in his room and that's when he kept pulling on me and kept pulling on me. And I was like I even sent him I was like, "Let me walk away." >> You know, I told him I was frustrated. I was like, "Let me walk away please." And he just wouldn't. And finally I just I pushed him onto his bed and then I was able to get out the door and I just shut it behind me. the push thing. We That's been discussed a couple different times and I wasn't sure where where it actually had happened. So, it happened upstairs. Yes. >> Earlier you said um pushed him to the floor. Well, now it's the bed. >> Well, I pushed him away and onto his bed. So, it's his bed's right here. And so, when I pushed him, he was it was against his bed, but he's still standing. So, he's right he was right there on his bed and on the floor, I guess. >> Okay. So, he was swinging on you or >> Yeah. So I had him sat up on my lap like this and I was pulling his shirt up so his face was facing this way and he was swinging around and then he verened towards like this trying to get my hands off of him and I let go and he just went like that. >> It seemed this was the moment his emotions surged intensely. >> He turns himself and he slams his head but he hit himself right on here. >> Okay, that's pretty hard. So I didn't know what he was upset about at first. I was like why are you so upset? And he's like you hurt me. I was like I didn't hurt you. You hit the pillow and then he's like, "No, you hit me right here." >> Is that where these peas came from? Was that just like an ice pack or something? >> That was an ice pack. Yes. Cuz afterwards, I saw it was red. So I asked him, I was like, "Do you want to put something on your face to make it feel better?" He said, "Yes." And I was like, "It should make it go away eventually." >> When we first walked up to the door, there's some pretty choice words that were used. And I mean, I get it. Um, I have kids. I get frustrated. I I say, "Fuck, I say I say that kind of stuff." It sounded pretty aggressive, though. Everything piling the way it sounds >> able to go to counseling. I mean, and I don't want to cuz this sounds like bad, right? But my job had asked me to violate the law. And so, I told him I quit. And now I don't have any way to take care of myself or him. I can't go to counseling anymore. I have nothing that I can do to take care of myself. And I don't know how I'm supposed to be able to help him when I can't even help myself. And so, I try really hard to just walk away from situations and stuff. >> The child was taken away and Aragon. He remained trapped in his own excuses. We're wondering if we could um have grandpa grandpa. >> Okay. Well, my dad's phone number. >> Bye, kiddo. I love you. We'll see you in a bit. Okay. I'm sorry. I was frustrated. >> You guys were arguing a little bit this morning about him not wanting to go to school. You said you were walking towards the garage. The chair tripped you up and you just later broke it. >> I broke it in the same I tripped on it and I was cuz I was so frustrated and then I tripped on it. I was mad cuz I it was in the way and I didn't see it. So then I got mad and I kicked it and it broke and then I just stomped on it afterwards to get it out of the breaker the rest of the way. >> Was some kicking to the groin, some kicking to his body, um some slapping, maybe some hitting that was unnecessary. >> I've never kicked him or kicked him in the groin ever. I swear like I I've never done that to him. I mean he was he got hit in the groin at school and that's what I was saying earlier with like that bully he had. got hit in the groin by them and he said that other people at school has hit them there and I told him, you know, I was like, "If somebody hits you there, you need to tell the teacher, but if you can't get away, you know, you can hit him back, you know, if you have to." >> Yeah. Do you feel sorry at all? Why >> before you guys when when he hit the couch? Was that on purpose and then you felt sorry and grabbed the peas? >> I did feel sorry and I did go grab him and I put them on his face. I was like, "Okay, let's try to get that swelling down cuz I don't want you to be having a hard time chewing or made fun of." So, in the past couple days, have there been times where you felt that you were so frustrated and that your spanking was overboard? Your punishment was overboard? >> Today was the first time I've spanked him in in weeks. And usually my punishments are, you know, no TV or video games and that's usually pretty soft cuz I feel bad like I don't know what good punishments there are. So, the worst that I do is is I get frustrated and yell and I always feel bad about that. >> But you don't feel like you've gone overboard recently or as of late. I've I've definitely on the verbal side where I've been upset where I've just, you know, gone through and had kind of my own tantrum cuz I have CPTSD. So, like it's just sometimes it's uncontrollable, you know, and I just get frustrated and I'll just walk back and forth down the halls and try to vent out. When he hears that, but it's never directly at him. I do yell though, so it's not like when he thinks it's about he thinks it's at him, I'll say something like, "Why can't you just listen to me?" Or, you know, like, "I wish you would just do what I'm telling you to do." You're making these like things like that. were like, "God, I'm just so frustrated with you right now. I wish I could just take a break." >> But he didn't realize that his excuses completely contradicted the evidence at the scene. >> So, and then help me clarify something cuz this is a picture that I had painted in my mind. I was about to kick down the door, right? I hear some some words and then I hear you stupid. In my head, I'm seeing you very frustrated him potentially being injured or hurt. So, where was he when this was ongoing down? >> Like when I right before you got He was upstairs in his room. That's when I had walked straight to the door. I had been sitting here for a second. I looked at the time and I real I was like, "Dude, it's 12:00 in the day, you know. I mean, now, you know, it's 11:00 in the morning. I haven't done anything with my day." >> And so, I was frustrated about that cuz I was reminded just how the whole day went. I was sitting right here the whole time. When you guys knocked on the door, I mean, I was 5 seconds away. I answered immediately. So, I was down here. He was upstairs in his room. >> Do you think he might explain something differently? Um, as far as like the incidents today, >> it's hard to say what words he would use, but I'm pretty sure you would get almost the same general story. >> So, Aragorn told me that you had thrown him up against the wall and that's how he got a scratch on his chest. >> I've never done that. Never done anything like that. >> I love through the whole story as many times as I have to, but I've never touched him in that aspect. Why would he feel the need to tell? Because usually police officers make kids feel safe, right? >> Right. No, I've picked him up like how I usually pick him up is underneath by the arms and stuff like that and I' and he was facing me, but I've never thrown him against the wall or anything like that like it's some kind of like movie investigation or anything like that. >> He said that um in his room when I was up there earlier, he said that you gave him a nose bleed the other day. the blood that there is blood on his bed is from you is what he said. >> He had a nose bleed in the middle of the night and it was on his bed and he woke me up and I didn't know what was going on at first cuz he said my nose hurt so I was like what's going on? He'd already gotten up and wiped it but yeah I had a dry nose and it was in the middle of the night. There's all kinds of stains on his bed from other things before but I didn't give him a nose bleed. >> At the same time Aragon revealed a strained relationship with his ex-wife who is considered negfulful in the child's life. I got to be frank, right? As a cop, do you feel like um you don't want him in your life anymore? No. >> That that it would help you through your transition, that it'll help you through your frustration, get better without him, and then once you're better, you want him back? >> No. I want to have the partnership that my ex-wife and I agreed on. I want to have like I want to be involved in every step of his life, but I can't do it on my own. I need somebody who's like a parental figure to be able to take on that that role. >> So, you don't feel like a parental figure? I mean, I do feel like a parental figure, but I need somebody else, like a partnership in some some way. Like, I don't have to have like a significant other. But like, I've talked to his mother. I've asked her. I've begged her to move back. I was like, "Please, like, I need your help to raise him. You know, he needs his mom." I've said that when we got divorced in court that I said that he needs both of his parents in his life. And when she left, she gave me the option to either not have him at all in my life or take him full-time. And it's like, what are you going to do in that situation? He's my son. Of course, I want to see him every day. So, it's like I I was pushed into either having him full-time or not at all. >> But as of late, do you feel like you don't want him right now? Like you want to not push him off to somebody, but you need your own time, right? >> I just want somebody who's able to take him half the time. I want to be able to be a supportive parent and involved in his life, but I don't know if I have the ability to do that every day. You know, I'm, you know, I have, like, like I said, there's all this stuff going on. I just, you know, I don't know what that is. Like, I don't have other friends really who have kids. you know, it's not like if that was the case, you know, it's like maybe, you know, they could go hang out together for the day and, you know, I can do the same for them or something, but I just don't really have that option. So, it's just I do need a break of some kind, but I don't want like a long extended break away from him. I love them. I love I mean, I love playing Nerf Wars with him. I love playing Legos with him. Like, I love all of that, every part of it. And I'm happy to be in his life, but I don't know if I can be the only one in his life. That doesn't mean I I can't be there, but I can't be like the only person who's giving him all of his needs. That's as even with two parents, like you can't meet all of the needs of a child a lot of the time, but like it's more feasible and it's done. And it's just me when I was working. It's like by the time I get off and go pick them up. It's like 5:15. I have to call him home and make dinner and all of that. And then by the time I'm done making dinner and we eat and I get them in in a bath and stuff like that, it's bedtime. And then I have to go to bed an hour later, I'm living to just keep living. and I'm trying to take care of him because he's everything to me, but I can't even really take care of myself right now and I don't know what else to do. >> Mhm. In New Mexico, we're pretty proactive with keeping families together. Um, usually they want to see families stay together, but honestly goes a long way in order for us to help you. There's a bunch of services that we can provide you. If you work with CYFD, they can get you through parenting plans. They can get you services, maybe put him in some clubs or some youth club to help him and aid him, right? You're going through a lot and it sucks. You got this ball of piled up inside of you. But I need honesty. Being as honest as I can, >> I need to know if if it went overboard and when because if he's saying that it went overboard and he's telling us and he's going to tell multiple people, he's telling his school that it went overboard. >> Remarkably, despite all his aggressive behavior, Aragon remained unclear about having crossed the line. >> The only time I've been overboard is trying to get him dressed, pull his clothes off of him, and it's yanking him. That's the only time today where it was really overpoured. >> Did it frustrate you so much right here that you pushed him into this chair? >> No, I lifted up off of his shirt and he slammed forward. If I did, it wasn't intentional, but I don't think I was going like >> Is this the shirt right here or was >> No, but I was trying to put on his shirt. So, I guess Yeah. No, I realize that now putting on his shirt. It probably pushed him down like that. >> So, now you rather than taking off your his shirt, you're putting it on. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> It's okay. It's okay. We're going to willing to work with you. That's what we're here for. >> I'm sorry. I'm nervous and I'm trying to work something coming with you. I really am pushing pushing down on his shirt. >> After all the excuses, the police remained firm and decided to search the house. >> Did you do that intentionally? >> No, I was just trying to get it on his arms fast when I'm trying to get him dressed in moments where he has been frustrated with that as he'll start like pulling off his sleeve on his own if I can't get over his head. Tried to pull it over his head and just pulled it down as fast as I could. Were you Were you pissed off at that time? >> Yeah, I was upset. >> A detective is on his way here right now to come and talk to you and he's going to kind of let you know what's going on a little bit more. If you could for me, just grab your phone, maybe like a jacket, and we can go talk outside real quick. So, what's going to happen is we're going to do a search warrant on the house, but for that to happen, we're going to have to go outside. So, I just want you to be able to have whatever items that you want to take with you to come outside. We can let the the detectives do their thing. before I get searched. Can I have an attorney? >> It's a search warrant of your house. We have to apply for it through a judge. >> You You can call You can call your attorney. Yeah, definitely. >> Well, I I need one appointed to me, but I would I would appreciate that before a search. >> The search we go through the judge. That'll be explained differently. That's granted to us and we have to determine if it's granted. But in the meantime, what we do is we hold the house, right, for an whatever amount of time without anybody in it. we secure it and we stay here and nobody else can enter or remain. Um, and if the judge grants us the search warrant, then we are lawfully allowed to search it. Um, if we're not granted, then we just give you back the residence. That That's how that works. >> Okay. So, I can't talk to my attorney before you can >> before the search. They can't stop it if it's up to a judge. >> I'm not asking them to stop it. I just want to be able to speak with an attorney. If you need one appointed you, you're going to potentially have to call the public defenders office right now and you can type in Sanongan County Public Defender Office um and see what they need to do in order to appoint you one right now. I think there's an application process since you're unemployed. I think you um will qualify for it. There's an application process for that. >> Where to go when it's being searched? >> And of course, justice came knocking. This time the father couldn't escape. >> So the thing is is I'm just going to have you stand up. Okay? Can you stand up for me right now? You're just being detained, right? You're under arrest right now. Okay. So, for child for right now, okay, because we believe that there's probable cause to believe that there is child going on. So, I'm going to be transporting you up to the jail. >> I thought it was allowed an attorney and that I I'm a little confused here. >> You still are you able to call an attorney? >> How can I do that if I'm being detained right now? >> You you it's a like I said, it's a process. One's appointed to you. if you can't afford it. >> My option was to go stand outside and get arrested outside or >> so I tried to give you an opportunity to get things that you wanted to get without us getting them for you. And so that's why I asked that. >> Okay. But I'm just confused how that led from one end to the other because >> we basically already knew these things. >> I'm sorry. I've never been I've never been in this situation before. So can I finish talking, please? >> I've never been in this situation before which is why I was asking the questions that I was. >> I don't feel like that should mean that I get detained. So, we have enough probable cause to believe that child abuse is occurring and that has occurred over the past couple days, if not more than that. We have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. >> The option to go outside. >> I was going to detain you in handcuffs anyway and arrest. >> Yes. >> Got it. That's what I was asking with that. So, that's perfectly fine. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being lied to. Just >> No, I'm not I'm not I was giving given the option of the situation. When do I get my one phone call? >> That's you get a lot at the jail. >> So, my name is Jamie Smith. I'm the investigation supervisor here at CFD. Um, based off of the circumstances today, we are needing to set up the safety plan for your kiddo bean. Um, the biggest thing is is that we need to get your consent once we go through all of the stuff on the safety plan because we do have some concerns. Obviously, the biggest thing is I'm under the impression that you're okay with sending him to stay with your dad. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Detective and Cro with Farmington police. Quick question. >> She was by Athena. >> Athena? >> Yes. >> Okay. Athena, where do you keep your keys? So after we're finished with the house, we can lock it. >> They're on my back currently. >> Questions for me? >> No, I'm sorry. There's like a thousand questions. However, are they relevant? You know, I'm nervously changing. Can I grab my medicine? I'm sorry. That's in the >> Yes, we can definitely grab any medicine that you need. I also do have another question regarding if there any is there anybody else that lives in the house? >> No, >> just you and >> just me and my son. >> Okay. >> Aragon was arrested and held on charges of child abuse. Under New Mexico law, this offense can carry a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison with bail ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the court's decision. >> Do you feel comfortable? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> If I'm going to jail, and this is really weird, but um because I'm transgender, I'm like afraid of going to male jail. I don't want to be assaulted. >> Is do you know what would happens in that scenario? Cuz I really >> Yeah. I don't have the exact answer, but if that is a concern of yours, that's totally understandable. And I wouldn't want that to happen to you either. I don't want that to happen to anybody to have that type of fear in general. Unfortunately, it is a fear. And so, and I couldn't imagine having to have that type of fear. I'm going to do my best to talk to them, but it's more of a them question. I don't want to just tell you yes or no, but I'm sure that they can put you alone rather than with a group of people at least, cuz I know that they can put people alone rather than in like gen pop and stuff like that. >> Okay. It's true that men aren't always naturally skilled at parenting, but that's no excuse for losing control. I hope every father raises his children with love and responsibility, not violence or aggression. Children, whether in Florida or New Mexico, deserve a full and safe childhood. May these stories serve as a powerful reminder that being busy is never an excuse and violence is never a solution. Every action we take profoundly impacts our children's lives. If you found this video meaningful, don't forget to like and share to spread this message further and subscribe to the channel so you won't miss more human interest stories. Thank you and see you next time. [Music]