Yep. Shut your D up. Come over here and tell me that >> they had police on me. >> Can't leave six kids unattended in a car. >> Stop right now. >> Wow. Whether directly involved or affected from the sidelines, children are often only brought up after everything has already unfolded. >> Grab me up. Me in the face. Punch me in the testicles. >> No, because like my son's looking at me. Today, we'll take a different perspective, starting with children's safety to better understand why actions that seem small at first can still lead to serious legal outcomes. >> Did you cross this street right here? >> Did he cross the street where cars drive? >> Yes. >> For the adults in this family, a one-year-old crossing the street alone apparently didn't seem especially alarming. On September 20th, 2023, a resident found a toddler, around one-year-old, who had wandered into their yard. The child was wearing only a soaked diaper and had minor scrapes, dirt marks, and small irritated spots that look like insect bites. The resident waited several minutes, looking around to see if a caregiver was searching for him, but no one came. No calls, no visible signs of concern from any family member. Realizing the possible risk, the resident decided to contact emergency services. I don't know where he came from. His little sweet little fella, but Oh, look. He's got it. He had fleas on him and he's been pointing. I don't know if he's looking for his mommy. >> Where's he been pointing at? Down here. >> Uhhuh. He keeps pointing like that. So maybe they're >> I'm sorry. If my kid was on, I'd be driving all the way around this whole freaking neighborhood. I don't know. They deserve to have impact. I'm sorry. I'm protective over babies. >> You want to stay with them and the baby and I will run down here and >> see if you can find her. smoke and it just leaks through me. >> I don't think I have any dolphins. No, >> I'm like drenched now. >> Reservoir. >> Yeah. >> Oh, what is that? >> I don't know. >> I'm sorry. I'm just protective over baby. >> Oh, yeah. It's >> I think it's the first time this has happened. >> This pisses me off. Some people don't deserve to be parents. >> Oh, I agree. Let me look at your foot, buddy. >> What is that? And look at this great look >> belly too. >> I've got Jessica with DFS on the line. Do you want her to >> I'm going to speak with her and I'll be right back. >> And I got a 1027 North Carolina. >> My sergeant has located the parents. Caller called in and said there was a one-year-old that had walked into their yard wearing nothing but a diaper. Social service is going to come and see what the deal is. Where was he at when you found him? Just right here. >> He was walking up my yard right here. What it was is there was a stray dog out here and and my cat was out here. So Landon hollered at me, "Mom, get the cat." So I went looking for her and when I come out looking for there was a baby walking up in my yard and I looked around for parents, you know. Yeah. >> I looked down there in the back. >> And we also waited like 5 minutes before >> I stood there like five, six minutes waiting for somebody else or their kid. >> Yeah. >> Nothing person don't need a damn kid. >> And if it takes you that long to notice your kid, your oneyear-old is gone. Would you be willing to give a voluntary statement on where you found him, how you found him, and how long he's been here? >> Yeah, it's okay, buddy. We're trying to find my name. >> Yeah, you're fine. >> It's okay. >> So, you'll just print your name here, fill out all this information. Don't worry about the time start and all that. >> I don't know if you want to hold him or not. You'll get pee all over you. >> We'll get him down. Let him run around here. Come here, bud. >> How are you? >> You want to give him a ball or something to play with? Get him a ball. >> Yes. He's trying to >> He never get home, Dad. >> Yeah, he's good. Look at him. >> Oh, does he need something? >> Yeah, bring him. >> Come here. Come here. >> Oh, you're fine. You're fine, buddy. Here. >> Want to see the B? Mr. Toys or something, is he? Here. There it is. If you want it. >> I'm going to walk him down to the house and I'll be right back. >> Oh, he's crying now. >> Oh, what a man. >> Oh, come here. The diaper's falling off that way, too. This is what's so the blanket. You can wrap it up. Okay. >> Take it away. >> It's okay. This is so puppy. >> The mother arrived shortly after to pick up the child. However, she appeared relatively calm as if the situation did not seem very serious. >> Do what? >> My mother. >> Are you the mother? >> Yes. >> That blanket belongs to the people up here. Oh, okay. They just wanted to keep him warm. The one I was watching was like, it just ain't no big deal about that thing. He said he went to use the bathroom. Said I was in 10 20 minutes and then he said, well, 10 minutes and then no more than 10 minutes. Very airy, very much of an attitude. Yeah. He said that the ship unlocked the dead boat and come out the door. There is no door knob on it cuz if you use anything like that, you asking the wrong person. Just give him a bunch of attitude. >> Yeah. talk with her. >> As soon as I pulled in, that's when he started. Well, we were up there and we never heard nobody. I don't know. >> How long do you think he was up here? Since since you called us? >> Oh, since you uh probably about 10 or 20 minutes. >> Okay. >> Were they happy to see you or call? >> Not like I would think the parent would be, but >> really? >> They didn't say nothing. >> I won't give a >> No. I mean, what did they say? They say they >> they didn't say nothing to me. It's >> Oh, I mean, do they say though that they just didn't know he walked out? I mean, obviously, I'm not going to say nothing. >> Yeah, I don't know the full details. Like I said, sergeant talked to him, but >> yeah. >> Um Yeah. When I took the kid down there, they >> they didn't say anything. Didn't even see >> said, "Can I have him?" It >> services are down there. >> Not yet. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. I'm Let's come back and get your statement. I'll bring that blanket back after. >> No, they can. >> They've got him outside right now. So, >> Oh, they can have it cuz it's got pee all over them. Bless his heart. I just hope they don't try to harass me now knowing I lived close to him and I called the wall. >> I don't know. I don't know if he told who called or not. Just they found him up here. But >> well, they know that he walked close. And another thing is that truck that's always down there has went by. Went by about two times and literally turned their head completely around. Know they probably know it's me. >> I mean, what do they expect? I mean, >> what am I supposed to do? I don't know whose baby. >> There's been multiple times we had to call in their uh dogs as well. trying to attack my animals >> and running loose like no other. >> All right. I thank you. >> You're welcome. >> We appreciate you calling and >> yeah, >> we'll see what happens from here. >> Yeah. Hopefully little fell is okay. I don't feel good about all those places on him and having on him. >> Yeah. We got the parents information. Sergeant Scott, he's on the phone with Commonwealth attorney right now. So, apparently mom took dad to the hospital and left the baby with mom's friend. He said the child had walked over, undid the dead bolt, and then was gone. >> A one-year-old under the dead bolt. >> That's what he said. >> After checking the area, officers determined where the baby lived. The initial explanation was that the child had unlocked the door and wandered outside while the caregiver was in the bathroom. However, no one reached out for help after noticing the child was gone, and there was no urgent reaction when the child was no longer inside the home. >> Hello. So is he be on the other child's you have >> I have and are they here also? >> No they are not. >> So they usually stay here. How old are you? >> 10 >> 10. So were you home when you >> got your So Charles was watching? Mommy. >> So now um the mom about 2 hours football already for >> Okay. I just got back from taking the other two kids press >> with baby. Got back with baby and sat room. >> So you you had the kids? >> I had the kids the whole entire time. I had the baby the whole entire time. >> Okay. What time did you get back Gabriel? >> Left here at 5. So that right after >> So tell me what happened next. >> I went to the bathroom. Shannon came into into the house came went to his room cuz that's where he went. That's where he was and I didn't think of it. Then I went to the bathroom and left the baby in the room in the bathroom for all 10 minutes. >> And what room was Gabriel in? >> He was in the kitchen. >> No, the actual room. >> In the bedroom. >> Yeah. >> And when you came out of the bathroom, what did you notice? the I came in here to come back up in the room and I went into the room and came in here this door open. >> So when you come back upstairs to the kitchen then did you go to the bedroom first or did you notice the door open automatically? >> I kind of seen the door open and then I went into the room to see if he was in there and I didn't. >> Was the dead bolt? The dead ball is the only thing that's talking. The bottom piece was round. >> Can you show me how it locks and how easy and how hard it is to lock? >> So when you went to the bedroom and you saw that Gabriel wasn't there in here, >> you know, so that when you when you didn't see him in here, you automatically went outside? >> Yes. >> Was it dark outside yet? Did you holler J? >> Yes. I thought I heard the street. So I was across the street came back and helped me. >> And then what did you do when you thought you heard him? Did you walk across the street or >> I just what? >> I'm pretty sure it was. >> So when you got Channing then what happened? What happened next? So, when did you call the police? >> No, I didn't call the police. Police already. I was fired outside. >> Someone else called the police. You didn't call the police when you noticed he was gone? >> No. Just as soon as I noticed he was gone, the police. >> So, if the child was at another residence, say 15, 20 minutes, do you think he got out immediately after you went downstairs or do you think you searched for him for 10 or 15 minutes or >> I mean, I went more as soon as I went downstairs. I wasn't down there more than 10 minutes anyway. So, It had a good fire and for the 10 minutes that I was down there using the bathroom cuz I just had him in the room watching videos. >> Can I ask you if you use any illegal substances? Do you smoke? >> Are you smoking tonight? >> No. >> Would you be willing to take a bre? >> Yeah. Would you? No. For the same thing. What are you going to fell for? Is that all you would? Me too. >> What about dad? Dad and I would all of you be willing to take a screen. >> Oh yeah. I mean I took a bus screen for Bill. I mean, do you have a current case? >> I do. Daniel is my worker. I did. >> The situation became more concerning when officers discovered a non-family guest inside the home, adding to an environment that was not safe for the child. >> Nobody was down here when I pulled up. They were standing up here and if they were hollering they could have heard them. I mean they're 50 yard 75 y trees there. >> I know be like hey I mean if you're hollering I mean >> the table situation does not make any sense. That's inaccurate. I think you need to get off and come. >> Hey Michaels really quick. >> I know you're feeling bad. I'M SORRY. >> WHY IS Michael access >> this week or whatever which Yeah. But we have all kinds of stuff in there. I think I need to do a safety plan. We need the kids. They can't help. >> You want to make a phone call and see if somebody can get and change right now. >> Where we going to go? I don't want to go there. >> What's the up there? You crank at night time at night. >> I drink cranky night. >> Yeah. Well, I don't want to feel good. >> Drinking water. >> Well, don't you have school in the morning? >> Who's the friend? Some random. >> He just stays here every so often. He's from North Carolina. They're taking the kids. Grandma's supposed to be coming getting the kids. I'm arresting the friend when this is all done for sure. But you are. >> Yeah. I may end up doing all three of them. >> Yeah. But he said it's just a dead bolt. Well, I guess he got his finger on it, flipped it, walked out. >> Hi. Can I go in the house to finish my clothes and stuff and you're at school? Yeah, honey. Can you wait just one second? Let them finish that right there in the kitchen and we'll get you in there. Okay. Hi. Are you a grandma? >> Yes, I am. >> I'm Jessica. I'm with Department of Social Services. How are you tonight? >> I've been better. >> Um, so this is a this is this is fixable. This is a temporary thing. We just got to get it cleaned up. The house has got sequins where the kids can stay here. Oh, there's only until the house of the house is clean. Chill. Joe, calm down. >> Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. It's all right. >> Where's my brother? Get up, please. Oh, no. >> Would it be okay if we come and look at the house tonight? Is your house prep? >> You going to have to get Dad to put Abby up. I guess I've just got to get more. >> Is it clean? >> My mom's house is clean, but it ain't spotless cuz I ain't >> looking for perfection for 12 hours. They stay there before they place my mom. >> Yeah, I've had >> absolutely not. We just We have to And this is just for our own skin. This has nothing to do with anybody else. If we place a child, we've got to lay eyes on the house. >> That's fine. real. Um, >> more details emerged when officers noticed that the caregiver did not seem fully attentive. The lack of a clear explanation about how long the child had been out of sight raised questions about the level of supervision and responsibility at the time. >> Yeah. >> Um, just need a little this what you can give me. >> I'm going to stand the door right here. Just make sure you can turn away from me if you want, but >> I'm going to have to Okay, that's fine. Yeah, I don't see all this possibly charging him. Could we do a breathalyzer? >> I mean, we can we can do a breathalyzer on it, but she's want to know if we can do a breathalyzer. It's the one we're charging. >> Alcohol. >> Okay. I mean, I can ask. >> No, absolutely. >> We can ask. I can't >> I can't get my football. >> So you see how there's no line here. >> There's no line. >> There's other side that wall. >> There's another one downstairs. But then there's this one. >> Did you have anything given to you at the hospital tonight? >> No. >> No pain medicine at the hospital tonight? Are you taking any pain medicine for your teeth? >> No. Okay. All it needs just a little. Can you tell me when um Gabriel got out? How far did he make it? >> I have no clue where I went. >> Do you know where he got to? >> Sure that he went right up here. >> Was he on the main highway? >> No. >> No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Just a half right over. How far do you think that is? >> It's right across the street. >> It's right across the street. >> Did he cross the street? >> Okay. Grown folks are talking. >> Boys, y'all need to go back outside. >> Yeah, I'm getting lost. >> Come on. >> But I'm pretty sure when I went downstairs, >> did he cross a main highway? >> No, he just crossed this street that's right here. >> Did he cross the street where the car is dry? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Have you been drinking? >> Yeah, I did drink over here. >> You take suboxin? >> I do. >> You do? You have a prescription? >> No. Where do you get it from? >> I heard about the clinic. I went to the clinic one time for whatever I used to be prescribed. >> I don't know how this is going to work. Okay. The caretaker at the time, but I'm doing two assessments. I don't know if it'll fall under one or if it'll fall under two, but this is I'm going to let you know that there is an assessment that is open. Um, and it's going to be on Gabriel and this is going to be on physical. Okay. >> All right. That's notification for you. I'll be right back with the safety plan. All right. Thank you guys so much. >> After confirming information, officers concluded that the person responsible for supervising the child during the incident could be held directly accountable. >> Charles, I talked to the Commonwealth attorney. You were in physical care and custody of this child. You let this child get out of the house, okay, for at least 20 minutes. Okay? So, right now, if you'll stand up, we are going to be placing you under arrest for child. Okay? So, if you'll stand up, put your hands behind your back. Do you have anything on your person that you want to leave here then not take with you? >> No. Am I able to take my phone and everything? >> You can take it. You can't use it. The stuff that like your vape and stuff, I would leave that here cuz if you don't, they won't take it at the jail. Okay. You can just place on the table. We'll take it with us. >> Do I need to take my wallet or anything? >> What do you got in your pocket here? >> A lighter. >> Lighter. I'd leave that. Don't take any of my keys or anything. >> You can take your keys with you. They'll let you take them. Just everything that you want to leave here, set right here. There's anything on your person now, now would be the time to tell us because you go down to jail or something, it turns into a separate charge of having contraband on you. So if you got anything stuff, store, did anything like that, we need to know about it now. Okay. You might have anything. >> All righty. I'm going to do a quick pack down just to make sure that you understand what you're being charged with. child. >> Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. See, too. >> You know, now the DSS is here. They're doing their safety plan and taking the the kids out of the house. Okay. Y'all left your children in responsibility of him and y'all thought y'all were doing the right thing. Uh he was in control of the children. He was supposed to be watching. So, he is going to be arrested tonight. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Now, I do have to refer this case to the Commonwealth attorney. I'm not placing you under arrest, but I have to refer to the Commonwealth attorney to see what they want to do. So, we'll follow up with you on that. >> Have you any Have you ever seen any cases of leaving your kid with somebody else, not knowing stuff like that? >> The neglecting with you leaving the kid with somebody else, then would be the living conditions of the house. And on him is where if he let the kid get out of the house. Last time I seen this happen, a parent let the kid out and it went to a registered sex offender's house. >> Oh my god. >> So, you just never know. >> Yeah. You don't you don't know. I've seen cases where kids are living in conditions that are not suitable and you know >> Well, she told me she wasn't placing that she was just remember I said that's why we're going to Y'all are not being charged anything tonight. I just got to refer it to the Commonwealth attorney. Okay. >> I want to ask you a question like once the house is clean and DSS let you all know that the house is back and >> they can they'll send us a notification letter. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> The caregiver was charged with reckless care for a child. If convicted, he could face 2 to 6 years in prison. Children do not ask for much. They simply need protection, care, and to be treated as vulnerable lives deserving the highest level of caution. When adults truly prioritize children's well-being, their world becomes far less risky. >> Really, cuz you cheated on me. >> Yeah, you it was worth it. >> This mother appeared to place her personal concerns ahead of her role as a parent. On August 8th, 2023, officers responded to a home after receiving a report of a serious dispute between two adults. The situation began when a man learned that his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his children, was involved in a relationship outside of theirs. Instead of calming things down, both continued confronting each other in a highly emotional state. From that point, the disagreement moved beyond words and escalated into physical actions. Another police department on the surface. >> Yes. >> Where is she at? >> Where she at? >> She's in her bedroom. >> Right there. She's in disposed. >> Did you put clothes on? >> Yeah. Put some clothes on. >> Put some clothes on, please. >> I didn't see your blood on your hand. Did you? >> This was a dog. >> The dog bit you. Did the dog in there? >> Yeah. >> Did she hit you at all? >> Grabbed me up, punched me in the face, punched me in the testicles here. I'll scratch. >> You need medical or anything? >> I don't know. I might looks like I might need a stitch or two. >> All right. Yeah. Yeah. >> What's going on? What happened tonight? I'm sorry. What's your name? >> It's Raven. >> Raven. >> What happened tonight? >> Just too much. >> That's too much. >> Just not happy with me. >> He's not happy with you. >> Yeah. I mean, I told him I begged him. Just let me call my mom. I'll leave. And he wouldn't let me let you leave. >> No, he wouldn't give me my phone. He wouldn't let me leave. He trapped me in the room and said, "If you try to leave, I'm going to call the cops." Try to leave. Here you guys are. All I wanted to do was go to my mom's house. I didn't want to fight. The dog bit him. He said he's going to blame it on me. Dog is very protective. >> Is this your guys's son? >> Yeah. >> You're both biological parents, right? >> Yes. >> How old is he? >> He's seven. >> Did he get involved at all? Was he >> Well, yeah. He was here. He witnessed the whole thing. He just said I just All I wanted to do was leave. I would have walked. I don't care. Have >> you guys been drinking at all tonight? >> Yeah, we both have. This is not the first time this has happened. He's called the cops on me before because he was mad at me. He accused me of cheating on him. And >> what was the outcome of that that call? >> He took my phone. He wouldn't let me have it back. He said his mom pays for it. And I said, "Please, I have another phone that I cannot find that my father pays for it." And I was going to call my mom on that and he would not let it happen. >> What happened to your on the top? >> I don't even know. >> Or is it just Is that a script or is that just like >> I can't remember to be honest. I did not want any of this to happen. And I told him, I promise I'll just leave. Just let me have my phone. Let me just call my mom. She'll come pick me up. I get he's upset. That's totally fine. But he won't let me leave. He made me lay down here in the bed. Called me a whole bunch of names. And if I try to get up and leave, he'd call the cops. >> Did he ever hold you down at any point? >> Yes. And he has before. And I've told him that multiple time. >> How did he hold you down? >> By my chest. >> Anything else physical happened that he did? >> Basically just that. All I did was try to get up out of my bed. >> Did you do anything to him? >> Not that I can recall. No, I just I search his pockets for my phone and that's it. And I just really wanted to leave. That's it. That's it. That's it. Just wanted to go. I never wanted this to happen. This happened already before. >> I'm sorry, Raven. You know, there's a lot going on. There's like you said, it's not the first time. There's something deeper that you guys got to figure out >> cuz you can't let this keep happening, especially >> and I mean, I have two kids. I don't get him. >> Uh he's probably laying in his bed or something, but he's just like less involved. And >> how old is he? >> He's almost six. >> Oh, okay. So, they're both How old How old are both of them? >> Seven and almost six. >> Seven. Okay. >> And I feel really bad. I did not want this to happen. All like we were watching a show and he started getting very upset about me possibly cheating on him and he just went off the rails and I said, "I'm just going to go to bed." And I said, "Can I at least have my phone like in case I need it for anything?" And he wouldn't let me. and he said, "No, I'm fine. I if I'm in trouble, then that's fine." Cuz what it is, it's just really sad. >> Each person shared a very different version of what happened with both claiming they were the one treated unfairly. However, the father said he had proved to support his account. Let's consider what he presented. >> Found that she was cheating on her and she's pretty angry and we were talking about it. She just got extremely mad at me. This is her phone or no, forgive me. It's her phone, but my mother paid for it. My mother bought it. My mother said she wants it. So I took it and that's when she started. Which I'll show you. >> Let us leave. So we have no choice. We're prisoners. >> Yes. >> I'm glad you're happy about that. We have no choice. >> Really? Cuz you cheated on me. >> Yeah. You It was worth it. >> Oh, I bet. Who's Jesse? >> None of your damn business. I don't even know who that is. >> Oh, that's why you called him. Well, >> he's probably got a bigger than you. >> Wow. No, >> give me my phone. >> Hey, please. >> I swear to God me again. >> When my mom comes me again, >> I hold that. >> Good. >> Really? >> Stop right now. >> Wow. >> There's a place you guys can go. >> Well, try to get a hold of you. >> My mom's house just burned down. Uh-huh. So, she's currently in a hotel. >> Okay. You said you did say you were trying to press join. >> Well, I mean, I'm I'm aware that the state probably. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I don't want to. I mean, she's the mother of my children. >> Yeah. >> But, uh, he's okay. I'm okay. Obviously, some dings and stuff, but >> I I don't want her to >> Well, I mean, >> I just want her to get help. >> From what? From what we s There's no way around. Is there a place that you guys might go for just for a little bit? Just for a little bit. We don't want the kids to see. >> We have to go in the bathroom. Is that >> work? You can't put them in there. Or do you want do you want them bite? >> No, it's okay. >> Just cuz of everything that happened. >> Yeah. >> Does she get like with she gets upset or >> very rarely with him? >> Yeah. >> The little one. Not with him though. >> So it's kind of out of left field. >> We have this and she hit it pretty hard. In the end, the person offering the most explanations was also the one facing the greatest responsibility. Meanwhile, the children, though not directly involved in the adults conflict, are the ones who carry the long-term emotional effects. >> Are you hurt by chance or anything like that? >> Um, I don't remember. I just got into a little altercation. He pushed me down a little bit, but I won't think I'm physically. >> Did you do anything back? >> I don't know. I was searching for my phone that he took from me. >> Do you mean that you don't remember? Did you kind of black out or what? >> No, I just drank a little bit and so did he and I just we got into an argument and all I wanted was my phone to call my mother and he would not give it to searching his pockets and the dog got upset, bit him. >> You know how he got some of the scratches he has? He has more scratches that are in his upper body. >> I'm like not exactly for sure, but I'm pretty sure that the dog did really get him. I mean I don't know. >> I mean I don't know. One of the officers pointed out that I had something, but it's not like a big deal. It's just a little bit. And he just pushed me down and that's it. And that's fine. I'm okay with that. I just All I wanted was to get to a safe space and not have this happen. >> So, the primary officers, this guy right here, he's going to talk to me real quick. Okay. >> That he was recording and everything. >> And I saw the and everything that he had on him already besides the dog bite. All right. That's not your fault. But with all the evidence that we have collected right now, I might have to break you on the left. So start for me. >> You're good, sir. You're good. >> We're just waiting for um AFR to get here so we can check out her. Do you by chance know where her glasses are? >> Here we got them. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> And uh are you willing to let us take some pictures of your your >> Yeah, maybe. Yeah, we'll we'll have our crime scene come out and they'll take pictures. I got your glasses. Just throw them on real quick. >> Thank you so much. No problem. >> Got a couple of bruises. >> Thank you very much. >> I do have a partner. I think you might have been here. >> Her mother. >> Oh, yeah. >> Her mother is a lunatic. She's an ex. She's threatened to give me and I am fearful that this might just cause that. Is there anything I can do about that? >> Um, what's her name? >> Angel Lucero. >> Um, well, we'll make sure that he documents that in his report as well that are your comfort, but what I would suggest for that is getting a restraint immediately. It's during the week. So, you can go down to the courthouse and because it's domestic related, it'll be free and you just have to fill it out. There's somebody down there that helps you do it. And then we were like pretty like within 24 hours. >> That way if for some reason she shows up here, you can call us and that gives more authority to have her. >> Well, I think we're going to probably reach out to someone, a family member or anywhere else, a friend somewhere else. >> Yeah. And the restraining order would be good for you and kiddos too. The apartment itself. So the address and it's good for like if you receive any text messages, phone calls, any restraining order. >> Right. literally lives right around the corner. >> She don't care if she shows up, we'll come and handle it. >> She will be arrested if she validates that. >> Yeah. But for the night, it sounds like you don't want to stay here at all. So yeah, you want to grab your number, send that with you, and then reach out to see if anyone could come with you guys or whatever the case is. >> Do that. Thank you so much. >> Have you been here before? Do you have anything supposed to happen? I'm going to throw my hands in the front. Okay. The mother was charged with domestic violence, battery against a household member, and child endangerment. In your view, what approach would both ensure responsibility and give adults a real opportunity to reflect on their actions and make meaningful changes for the sake of their children? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Between the self-claim, I'm a good mother, and the objective findings from authorities, which one truly reflects what happened. >> She literally fell over a couple times. Couldn't even pick something up. The one in the police were here. >> They were both police. >> On February 17th, 2024, Lake Mary, Florida, officers received a report about two women who appeared unwell and were preparing to drive with two young children in the vehicle. When officers arrived, they found a mother seated in the driver's seat of a Chevy Suburban with two children around 5 years old in the back. Several witnesses were present and their accounts were consistent. >> So, you guys witnessed, can you can y'all just stand by for me cuz we're going to need need to get some info from you. Okay. Hi there. Are you witness too? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we got one witness, two witness. Who are you? Who >> calls? >> So, you call. So, we got four four people saw this. Who's this lady in the >> This is my sister. She went over there and saw them and she was like, "Hey, where you guys from?" >> But it's I mean, once you walk up there, you're going to smell. >> Okay. Two of them in there. >> And she my car. I'll let the man do it. Have a nice night. Bye-bye. >> I'll let the man do it. You can drive us home. Have a good night. No, >> they had multiple beverages at uh adult beverage, alcoholic beverages. At one point they were tripping over each other. They tripped over benches. My wife and our best friend saw them laying down in the women's bathroom on the floor. Um just completely inebriated. >> You have a license on you. Your license, please. >> Yeah. First of all, you can do a whole breathalyzer here. >> At one point, these other two women approached us and said, "Are you guys watching this too?" Because we saw them kittens, right? >> You have license on you, please, young lady. >> Yes. Can I see you, please? >> She uh she did she she tried to start it, put her foot on the brake. Um and that's when I pulled up. >> Who was in the driver's seat? >> This this girl right here. >> The same one. >> Yes. >> And there's another adult with her. >> There is another adult in the front passenger side. >> There you go. Awesome. Thank you. >> Promise you we are okay. >> We live literally like 10 minutes away. I was about to let this woman drive us home. >> She literally fell over a couple times. Couldn't even pick something up. The one in the >> They were both drinking. I'm not resisting anything like that. That is perfectly fine. Like we could have been talking. We were good. >> I did not know. >> And then you could just tell they're both having like, you know, you're drunk. >> Yeah. They had to block off the bathroom cuz they were in there like throwing up. >> Then I think that's when they decided to try to hurry up and dip out. But I guess everyone was kind of watching them >> cuz you could tell they had kids with them. But she ain't called the cops. >> Oh, thank you so much. >> No. Like we were not trying to do any of that. I'm kind of upset right now. >> She was on a stool and literally went down and then was trying to kneel down and pick something up and just like fell backwards. >> That was hilarious, Lily. It really is. >> It's not over. >> It is hilarious. That's the whole point. >> Hey guys, how you doing? You guys okay back there? >> Yeah. >> Okay, cool. >> I see you. >> You do. Any point did they attempt to leave in their car that you guys saw? >> No, because I I >> They kept asking me to shut the door. They wanted to leave, but he backed up close. She has a >> She said, "You can drive me home. You can follow us cuz I was about >> Brody doesn't believe that you guys carry guns and I told you you guys don't." So, you guys don't police officers only do that if they need to. >> Do they make any admissions of being drunk or anything like that? Do they say anything? >> Passenger did. She said, "I'm super drunk. I don't have to drive." >> The one that's sitting in the driver's seat now. >> That is Shelby is what I gathered. Um, and she's the one that initially got in the driver's seat. >> That is so fine. Like, I was about to let this woman drive us home because I honestly thought that she was sober and obviously I've had three drinks of Chardonnay. She's better than me. >> So, he already spoke to you? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah, that's why I do a warn uh sworn statement. I said I would. >> Okay. And I'm going to get you started on that. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> The mother believed that a few glasses of wine had not affected her ability to drive. She viewed the police response as a misunderstanding, even a betrayal by the person who made the report. However, that personal belief differed from the observations of witnesses and responding officers. >> So, you're going to give us a little paperwork action here. Got a little wet. I'm sorry about that. I think you can do it in your car. That way, you don't get wet. >> I live literally 10 minutes away from here. >> What do you mean? What do you mean she's better than you? >> The girl who stopped us sit here for 10 minutes. Who fooled us? who called the cops on us, who lied, who said, "Hey, I don't want you to drive." I was like, "Okay, that's fine." But like, why? What's up? What's your name? And we started talking and then all of a sudden, I seen an officer walk up and I'm like, "Okay." Called the cops on me cuz I had three three lines. I mean, that's cool, but like >> All right. So, let me ask you. One of them said you you fell off of a bar stool. Do you need paramedics? >> That was me. Okay. >> And yes, >> I was that was me. We're a cousin. She kicked bars. >> I don't need you I don't need you yelling at me. >> I'm right here with Just lower your voice. I'm right here in front of you. >> No. I'm so sorry. >> Do either one of you need paramedics. >> No, we do not need paramedics. We're not cousin and she's already >> I'm not talking to both of you at the same time. If you want to step out and talk to me, I'll talk to you. But you two yelling over each other, I can't understand what either of you say. >> I was You want me to step out? >> You're more than welcome to. >> Okay. cuz >> 36 right now. >> I just find it so funny. I thought this girl actually cared about me and she was calling my That's cute. >> So, the situation in which I fell off a bar stool. This is my cousin. She kicked my bar stool as I went to go drink my drink and I fell over. That was a he he haha. >> This is so funny. This is so hilarious. I was about to tell this girl like, "You are so cute for actually caring about us. Please drive. We live 5 minutes away. If you actually think I'm not capable, I've only had three wines within the past 5 hours. >> She pushes me in the pool. She pushes me in the foam pit. Her and I have been that is Can I talk? >> Yes, sir. Give me a second. I'm so sorry. You're fine. >> How many kids are in the car? >> Two. >> That's so cute. Please drive. And then she's like, "Oh, cops are here." And I'm like, "You're you're so funny." Like, what? Like I was so nice to her. She was being so mean to her and I was like, Lily, stop. She might be like a normal person like actually caring about her wellbeing. >> They're both about five just about. >> She was she was at the end of the day, but like no, like it's not to that point. >> The whole situation with me falling, that was me going to go grab my seat underneath me. As I went to go grab it, she kicked it and I fell underneath. That was just a >> You're definitely not hurt at No, I'm not hurt at all. That was like a he he haha like haha you. >> She's doing what she does. She's good. >> We just want to make sure she's okay. That's all. >> That's good. I know she is falling a lot. I've been trying to help her this whole time. I just And that's what I told the girl. I was like, "Listen, the girl that you were watching fall and people and like when I say people, it was like a fall and then it was like a back hand on someone. That was her." And I yelled at her. That's why we're leaving. >> Ah, okay. >> That was a Heihaha. She has also like pushed me into the springs. The blue sink. I don't know if you know what that is. >> Blue sink. >> It's like over in Okala area. It's like a big swimming pool. You know what I mean? Like we've known each other since like second grade. So, we're very close related. So, I went to go, you know, sip and drink my drink and she slipped it. And I have both had three short each since 11:30 this morning, but we are perfectly fine. I promise you. >> I was so nice to her and I mean like I can't be too mad at her. The only reason why she would do this is because I can't say the word, but there's other people around me and they're not as big as me. They're smaller and I understand that. >> How long have you guys been at uh Planet Obstacle? >> We've been here since about 11 11:30 >> this afternoon. Huh? >> This morning? >> Yes, this morning. 11:30. >> Just you guys. Or was there like a birthday party or something? It's just for a night. It's my son's fifth birthday. I didn't want to do a whole big party just because like I don't know, he doesn't interact with everyone. Felt like it would be better just let him have his friend, have his aunt and go hang out. I'd rather spend the 200 on something that like actually matters than you know what I mean. >> Am I helping you? >> Thank you. >> No, of course. >> Actually, you did help me. >> Will you please put this >> Just set it down. We'll get in a minute. Okay. I just kind of wanted you to throw it away. >> Well, I don't have a trash can at the moment. So, >> well, I was going to ask if you had one. >> And the girl that we were with, we had like started to somewhat talk to her and we had like her gentle hand. She followed us out and was like, "Oh, like are you guys good to drive?" And I was like, "Yeah, we're good to drive, but like if you want to drive the car, I'm perfectly fine to still drive home." But like a person that I don't know obviously being like, "Hey, I saw you had more than two drinks." And I understand that some people were a lot more like comforting with like, "Hey, let me drive you guys home." So, I was going to be like, "Hey, you can drive us home. Just make sure that someone's following us cuz like obviously once this vehicle stops, we're stopped." So, like, where are you going to go after that? >> No, you're not going to my car. Girl, you lost your mind, >> girl. >> We came here. We played since like 11:30. Her and I have had And like I said, I'd rather be honest than, you know, lie to you guys. I've had three Chardonnese. She's had three short. We had one with him like the last hour and a half. But this lady that you know, her kids were playing around and we were playing around and we started talking. She was like, "Oh, do you want us to drive home?" And I was like, "If you would like to drive home, that's perfectly fine." Like, >> you don't you don't know them? Never met them before? >> No, I've never met them before. And either way, I'm like, I'm still okay to drive home, but I would still also, you know what I mean? Whether I know them or not, I would rather them, you know what I mean? Like better conscience. >> You're more than welcome to go have a seat. Uh, just give me just give me a minute. >> She repeatedly insisted that she was a good mother and tried to show she had done nothing wrong while officers at the scene were focused on observable signs and clear cooperation. >> The whole point of me driving is so that no one has to. She can get as drunk as she want. I've only had like two to three. Three is what I three >> like I call it three Chardonnese. But the whole point is this girl in 6 months hasn't got to get drunk cuz she has a baby the same age as mine. But I have a man. She doesn't. Well, he wants my baby. I No one wants her baby when she gets drunk. So, thank you, sir. You have a fabulous night. Will you follow us? >> Well, you can't leave just yet cuz I got your keys. You have to stay here for a second. I think I think fire rescue's coming to check you out. Okay. >> Just hang on. Okay. >> We got to make sure you're okay to drive. Is she drinking? No. Is that a white or is it a >> I'm not sure. >> Just because you fell, we got to get after you just to check you out. Okay. You're not getting paid fire department. You're not charged for it. >> You're not getting charged for it. >> Fire department. Yeah, we'll rescue. >> Are they >> probably shot up? >> They'll come to you. They'll stay right here. They'll come to you. Okay. Lady in the passenger seat fell to the floor for I don't know if she's her head or not. We We just want to make sure she's okay. They're both signal one extremely. >> I've done it like times. >> All right. Okay. Thanks, J. Thank you. >> All right. Shelby, can I talk to you over here, please? I was talking to your cousin, right? Said you guys were here. You've been here pretty much all day. >> Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Birthday party or you guys just here together? We haven't hung out in like eight months. So, this is our eightmon like celebration of hanging out. We haven't hung out in a long time because of life. And she's about to get kicked out of her home. So, we're just trying to not get drunk. >> Little get together. It wasn't like a big big birthday party. It was just to you guys. Okay. >> Only us. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Like we're about to go home to go to sleep. We only live like 10 minutes wait for your tops. Like for I can walk whatever you want. Like, okay. >> Um, so I overheard you say when I first walked up you had three glasses of wine. Yes. Do you have anything else or was just just those three? >> Nothing at all. >> I woke up at 9:00 a.m. Came here. Three glasses of Savon Blanc and then the two other glasses were Chardonnay. >> So five total. >> No. One glass was Savon Blanc. Two glasses. I misheard you. Okay. >> Two glasses of Chardonnay. >> Without looking at a clock. You know what time it is right now? Roughly. >> I would say it's about maybe 11. Are we in trouble >> right now? We're here for a reason. All right. A lot of people saw you consuming alcohol. They saw they saw >> they saw her. >> They saw the kids and they got concerned. They didn't want they didn't want under their conscience. They didn't want you to drive off and get into a car accident. >> Obviously. And I understand that. I'm the first person to be all about that. Like that's fine. Whatever else you got to do. >> And do you have anything to eat while you were here? >> I've had a whole pizza. I've had corn dogs. I've had nachos. Like five nachos. Which he >> When's the last time you had any sleep? yesterday. Like literally at 10:00 p.m. yesterday I fell asleep and then I woke up this morning and then we came here at 12 or I'm sorry 10:30 11 and we've been here for hours. We just started toing drink wine and she's been she doesn't drink alcohol. She doesn't do anything. Like literally she gets cooped up in hering house. Me personally, yes I can drink but like I don't I drink a drink and I stay home, you know? She's not even allowed to drink a drink and stay home, you know? So, she's been drinking drinks, falling over, acting crazy on theinging obstacle courses, and I've been yelling at her all night. And I've been telling her to chill the out cuz someone's going to get mad at her and call the police. She said, "Oh my god, shut up. You don't know nothing." I'm like, "Okay." And then, yep, sure enough, she's been yelling at me for even talking to the girl who called the cops on us. She cares about us. She wants to drive us home. That's fine. And like I promise you, like I am so good. Like she literally lives 10 minutes away. There's nothing wrong. Like I've been saying this for hours. We've been here since 10:30 a.m. >> All right. All right. You're getting a little worked up. Just relax. >> Well, I'm upset because you got you. Just take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. >> We should just be home by now. I should be going to sleep. I'm just upset that I got fooled that some girl acted like she was someing good girl and a good person and she ended up calling the cops on us. Like we'reing criminals. Like we're bad mothers. >> Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. >> Cuz we're not. >> No one said you were. >> No. I've never been away from my son longer than 24 hours. >> Stop. Stop. Take a deep breath. >> I've never been away from my son. I'm very upset. If you guys want to follow us home, I promise you I will not drive any kind of way. The moment that I swerve, you guys can put on your lights and rust us. I promise you. There is nothing. >> Shelby, stop. No, because like my son's looking at me right now talking to a cop. He knows what this is. Me and him have this conversation all the time about criminals, about people who talk to the cops. We talk about alcohol. We talk about we don't talk about drugs, but we talk about there's this thing that makes adult people act different and not as cool as us as me and his dad and his aunt, I guess, kind of. But like, you know what I mean? So he I guess he kind of knows what drugs is. But either way, he's seeing me talk to aing cop and he thinks that I'm the bad guy. >> Do you want to walk over here? >> No. Like we can like I promise you that >> if you don't want him to see us talking, we can go over here. >> I'm really upset right now. >> Based on what was documented, the mother's claim that she was still fine appeared less convincing, highlighting how personal perception can differ greatly from reality when safety is involved. >> Been talking to officers before I leave a kid's place. That's not my problem. The problem is that I thought this girl really actually gave us and I was like, if you really want to drive behind us as we go home, we literally live 10 minutes away. You can. I promise you everything will be fine. Literally like 10 minutes goes by and then the cop shows up and I'm like, "My son's never seen me talk to a police officer. It's like me in trouble." >> All right, so let me ask you. All right, let me ask you. On a scale from 0 to 10, >> I would say like I drink alcohol charardet. I don't drink alcohol like that. I would say like a five is where I am when it comes to like alcoholness because I just drank my drink like an hour ago and I'm like I was about to sit in this like >> Shelby >> parking lot for a minute and be like, "Okay, I need to chill out because like wait a minute, this is how alcohol feels. It's crazy. I need to chill out. And then this girl knocks on my window and then I roll it down and Lily's like, "Don't roll it down. She's an op." And I'm like, "Shut up. She's okay. She's a woman." And she was okay. She was just worried about her kids, which I'd be worried about them, too. >> Shelby, can I ask a question? Look at me. Look at me. Look at me. I'm trying to ask you I'm trying to ask you a couple questions. >> I'm trying not to look at you because you look exactly like my brother. >> All right, Shelby. Listen. Take a deep breath. Stop. Take a deep breath. Listen. On a scale from zero to 10, zero being completely sober, 10 to being the most drunk you've ever been, you would say a five. >> No. >> No. >> I would say an eight. >> An eight. At that eight, do you feel comfortable driving with your kids in the car? >> Oh, yeah. With you behind me and all that, for sure. >> Not me behind you. >> You don't have to be, but like just like her. I told her she could be behind me. Can you drive? >> I drink on the weekends. And if I drink on the weekends, I drink like two like drinks. Say if it's a margarita or say if it's a rum and coke. I drank two of them. I drank them on a Saturday and then I'm good. I'm I'm good. And that was me today. I drank three. It was wine. Not alcohol, not liquor. It was wine. I drink wine every other day. Like white, pink, like mosscato. I drink that like every other day. >> You say you're okay to drive? Yes. >> Are you willing to do a series of field sobriety exercises just so I can say you're okay to drive? >> You are. Okay. I'm just walking over here. Um, like I promise you. >> The atmosphere at the scene became tense as a heated exchange occurred between the mother and the person who made the report. >> I love you. >> You shut your stupid ugly ass up, you fav. SHUT YOUR UGLY ASS UP. I hope you die. Shut your ugly ass up. I don't care about your opinion. Shut up. >> Stop it. >> Shut your mouth. Thank you. You ugly. >> Yep. Shut your dumb ass up. Come over here and tell me that. Come over here. Exactly. You're going to go to jail for disorderly though. Stop. Stop it. >> I'm I'm upset because the reason I today ma'am, relax. Relax. I need everyone to take a deep breath. I got you. Not baby. Stop. It's a lot going on. I get it. All right. So, I'm just going to read this over real quick. Get you get your signature and I'll cut you guys. >> You guys are just going to let her go though because people like her will people like Sandy like me on my way home? Like, >> are you going to let me do my investigation? I am doing a full investigation right now. Okay. I am asking her questions. I am doing an investigation right now. >> The reason I'm out here with my son and his very best friend and his cousin and my best friend is because we needed >> need a break. >> I've been dealing with this from January first. >> Yeah. >> And when thising >> Did I say I'm cutting her loose? >> She's clearly went up to my >> There you go again. >> When she went up to my window and she said, "I care about you." >> Blow your voice. >> Let me drive you home. I said, "You know what? You can drive my car home. >> She said she she drank an hour ago. We watched her finish her drink and run out here. She knew people called. >> I promise you. >> Lower your voice. >> We don't live far. >> You can do whatever you want. Just don't make my life harder. >> Take a deep breath. Just relax. >> Don't make my life harder than it already is. And this stupiding fat is making it harder than it already is. >> All right. You swear this statement you provide is true and accurate to the best of your ability. Let's get a signature. >> I will do the [ __ ] test. Go ahead. >> Stop yelling. >> I am. I'm so upset. >> Roberts. >> Yeah. >> Do you have her license? >> All right. Uh, can you give it back to her? >> Follow-up evaluations at the scene helped clarify the mother's condition, indicating she had difficulty maintaining steady behavior and following instructions, important factors in any road safety situation. >> Come here. Stand over here. Stop now. Zip it. >> Thank you for making my life harder. Thank you so much for caring. You [ __ ] I live 5 minutes away. She could have just followed me. You guys are about to follow me home. 10 minutes away. I'm going to driveing terrific. That's what I told her to do. If she called, I'm upset. I need a hug. >> All right. Here's here's here's also Nola. Shelby, can I get you to stand over here? So, what I want you to do is I want you to stand feet together, arms down at your side. Okay. >> Do you wear contacts or glasses? No, >> I should wear glasses, but it's fine. Go ahead. >> Do you have any previous head injuries? Anything like that? >> Yes, that's okay. I can walk in a straight line. You go ahead. >> All right. So, you see the white light at the top of the pen? So, what I want you to do is I want you to follow that white light with your eyes and your eyes only. You're not going to turn your head left. You're not going to turn it right. Just look forward and follow with your eyes only. >> That's fine. You understand? >> Yep. >> I'm so upset at this woman for acting like she's a girl's girl. She's such not a girl's girl. She's a liar. All right. All right. So, we're going to use this. >> I'm so sorry. >> So, we're going to use this parking spot line. Okay. Would you say that line is uh relatively straight? >> This is my first time doing this. >> Would you say that line is straight? Relatively. >> Stop. I'm going to explain everything. So, what I want you to do is I want you to put your left foot on that line. Put your right foot in front of your left with the heel the heel of your right foot touching the toes of your left. And put your arms down at your side. And I want you to stay in that position. I'm going to explain and demonstrate the exercise. Look at me. Okay, you understand? There's four things I want you to remember. I want you to look down at your feet. >> Count each step out loud. Keep your arms down at your side. And it's a continuous exercise. So once you start, don't stop until you've completed. >> I've learned a lesson today. One, two, >> stop. I need you to go back. Remember I told you to stay left foot on the line. Left foot on the line. Right foot in front of your left. Arms down. Stop. Don't begin yet. >> What? >> You didn't remain in the position I told you to when I was demonstrating. So, put your left foot on the line. Right foot in front of your left. Arms down at your side. Do you have any questions? >> Nope. >> All right. You may begin. >> 1 2 3 4 5 >> 214 5 14 >> 7 8 9 >> Do you have any previous leg injuries, knee surgeries? I've had a broken leg like three times. That is not even an issue, though. This one has been broken like five times. It's okay, though. Like, I don't know. It's fine. >> All right. So, for this next exercise, what I want you to do, stand, feet together, arms down at your side. All right. With either your left foot or your right foot, you're going to raise it approximately 6 in off the ground. About the size of a soda can. It's going to look like this. Either your left foot or left foot or your right foot. All right. You have any questions? >> Nope. All right, you may begin. >> What am I doing? >> Do you remember what I told you? >> Wait. All right. Let me let me do this on the other side. All right. Sorry. >> For this next one, what I want you to do, feet together, arms down at your side. When I tell you to begin, you're going to tilt your head back. You're going to close your eyes, and I want you to estimate 30 seconds in your head. You're just going to stand still, tilt your head back, close your eyes, and I want you to estimate 30 seconds in your head. >> Okay? Ready? Tilt your head back and begin. Remember, let me know when you get to 30. >> 30. >> All right, just one more. What I want you to do, feet together, arms down at your side. I want you to start like this. Go like this. I want you to close your eyes. And then you're going to count to 30 by and then moving your arms like this. Go ahead and put an engine on your back. >> Here you can >> like I can make it. Like I can promise you I'm not >> my worst one. >> Are you serious? >> Right now you're being placed under arrest for driving on or DUI. >> I wouldn't do that. >> I was going to chill out with >> Are you serious? >> Are you serious? Are you serious? >> Like I can go home. I just want to go home and go to sleep. Please just let me go home and go. Are you serious? I don't do drugs. I don't do anything. >> You just >> like I'm so upset. >> You have anything on you that's going to make you kick me? >> No, baby. No, not at all. Not at all. >> Stop bouncing around. >> I'm upset. I'm upset. She was 5 minutes away. I wasn't going to do anything bad. I promise you I was going to get everybody. Like I'm so upset. >> You want your watch? >> No. Like I don't want to get arrested. I've never been arrested in my entire life. I'm 25. >> No. I'm upset. No. Please. Please don't do it. Please don't do it when I'm already going through it. >> Put your head in there and your sit on your heel. Swing your feet in. Please. I don't even know how this [ __ ] goes. Like, what the is this? I don't sit in this [ __ ] man. >> Oh my god. Are you serious? Please don't do this to me. I'm already about to lose my whole [ __ ] life. My >> The mother was charged with DUI, DUI with a child under 18 in the vehicle, and child inment. Under Florida law, she could face penalties of up to 6 years in prison and a $6,000 fine. Family is where children first learn to trust the world. But society is the second circle of care, where strangers choose to speak up when they notice possible risks. Not to criticize, but to help protect a child's safety and future. >> Mom and dad here somewhere. Did they tell you where they're going? >> While the children repeatedly called out dad, the father tried to place responsibility on others. Around midday on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, management at the Park Colony apartment complex in Des Plains noticed a van that had been parked for a long time. When they went to check, they found six young children inside who appeared tired, frightened, and without an adult present. Recognizing a possible risk to the children's well-being, they quickly contacted emergency services, and officers arrived shortly after to help. >> I scan the place in my parking program and it's not coming up. And there's six gift cards. They need to go over an hour. >> How are you? >> How you kids doing? Mom and dad here somewhere. Did they tell you where they going? >> My dad went in the building. >> He what? >> Another building. >> Your dad did. What's your dad's name? >> He went into that building. Does anybody live here that you know? Uncle >> Huh? >> You don't live here? >> What's your dad's name? >> What's your dad's name? >> What's your dad's name? What was that? We got to say one more time. >> Johnny Harris. >> Harris. Johnny Hers. >> That's not open. >> Hey, you guys. Okay. >> Yeah. It's not them. They've been throwing down water. >> There's a phone. >> Isn't that a phone right there? >> Are you guys okay? >> Is that a cell phone? Is that your phone? >> Does it work? >> It doesn't work. >> Can you make a call? >> 37 count. It's uh six kids in the vehicle. I need to try. >> This one works. >> Call somebody. >> Sergeant, uh, you said the kids saying their dad went in that in there in this building. >> She's got a phone. And look, it says dad. >> Call him, please. >> Hi. >> I don't know if it works. >> Great answer from her. >> You guys wait for dad to come out. >> You don't live here. Where you guys live? >> How do you turn the airplane mode off? You guys live in uh turn airplane mode off. >> You guys live in the city? No. >> Let me see. >> Okay. >> How to work? >> I'm not that good with phones. So, settings, right? >> Settings. You know how to work the Android. >> That guy in the pink shirt is the one who's been watching this whole thing. >> He's the one who called >> 13 counter. Call a number for me. This is allegedly the dad in the >> call. So then I came over and he didn't want to call. So I called. I said, "How long have they been here?" He goes, "An hour." And those people have been listening to him scream for an hour or two. >> The kids >> while making sure the children were brought to a safer place. Authorities spoke with people nearby and determined that the children had been in the vehicle without supervision for close to an hour. >> Hello. >> Hey. >> He threw me off with that sir. You're usually supposed to be Hey, you or uh >> All right, sir. How are you doing? >> I'm good. Oh, you >> you look like you're good. Yeah. Thank God. >> Yes. >> Did you tell me that you saw you heard the kids crying or saw? >> Did you see anybody get out of the car? >> No, no, no. They were already in the car. I came out here. Listen, I had enough time to sand all of this >> and then paint it. So, I'm guessing it was an hour at least. Now, that little kid in the poor car seat, I don't know. He he he worries me because, you know, little kids like that, they got to go back. What are these kids an hour? You can't leave kids in the car without even even with the window down. >> No, you know. Yeah. >> You know, uh >> I know. I went through that. They told me that this guy's name is Johnny. >> That's what the kids said. >> Johnny Burds. I don't know. I told him, "Hey, there's nobody in the mailbox in there." And luckily, they were able >> The kids are saying they don't live here. So, >> obviously somebody It's not unusual that people come in here and visit people in the complex. >> So, about an hour ago, you were working on your >> Oh, I had to look at you. >> And then you you heard them crying the whole time. >> That's not the whole time. No, I'm saying it with a gradual >> a gradual completely and I'm lucky, you know, maybe I can still hear that, you know, I'm lucky that he I can hear it. But yeah, that I felt bad, you know, people there kids and there's again I don't know >> who does that. >> I don't want Well, that's my problem. See, I judge people and that's a sin. Let the Lord do his work. For some reason, this happened. >> So, can I get your name? >> Uh-oh. You're not going to arrest me, sir? >> No, no, no, no. This >> I'm legal. This is for the report. >> I'm legal, sir. >> No. No. It's not even. Come on. >> See that? I made you laugh. It was worth it right there. >> What are you going to do without your sense of humor, sir? >> That's true. That's true. >> You need those two things, humor and hope. Without that, you ain't got no >> Officers later located the father, Johnny Hearns, inside an apartment within the complex. He tried to explain that someone else was responsible. However, that version of events did not align with what the children shared or what officers noted at the scene. He didn't see the guy come out of the car. He just heard the the kids crying next to >> us. 911. >> Serious police? >> Hey, how's it going? Do you have anybody visiting you today? Six kids out in the car. >> Okay. >> You know anything about that? >> Yeah. >> Whose kids are though? >> Mine. >> Mine, I think. So, we're here. What's your name? >> Johnny. Mine. >> Come on out here. Your kids are unattended. They were crying for hours. >> No, my um wife, she >> There's nobody in the car but the kids. >> No, I'm saying my wife, she uh stepped away. >> What? >> Can't leave the kids unattended like that, though. There's no >> hour, man. Your kids are been outside in a hot car for about an hour. Step outside, please. >> What's your name? >> John. What's your last name? >> Hearns. >> Hearns. H R N S H E R N. >> Just add this name in the chat. Johnny, Robert, >> and I will show you over here cleaning uh somebody's house. >> Okay, >> direct my kids. >> Okay, I get that. But you know that six kids in a car left unattended can't do that, man. Especially when it's hot outside. It's 80° outside. Get his ID. >> I didn't want him to um bring them inside because it's like I'm doing a job, per se. So, I'm doing a job. I don't know if he will allow the kids to come in. I asked him. He didn't give me an answer. >> But according to a lot of these neighbors, these kids have been out here for an hour >> with nothing to drink in the car. >> You guys doing? >> We got to take them over to the hospital and get them checked out. They've been in this car for an hour. But putting a putting the kid in a car, it's like a hot box. >> Yeah. >> We got to get them evaluated. Okay. >> Okay. >> As their father, you would want them evaluated, right? Just to make sure that they're good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. What we're going to do is we're going to have them taken over to the hospital. We're going to drive you over there. You're going to leave the car here. We're going to have some more questions for you when we get over there. Okay. >> Okay. >> I understand you're trying to work. You're trying to do some good for your family to get some money, but can't leave six kids unattended in a car. If somebody wanted to come by here and scoop this car up, which they quite frequently do, your kids would be >> You want your kids? >> No. I do. >> All right. You said your wife was here. >> Um, yeah. She uh stepped away. She went to the store or whatever. I thought she would have been back by now. I dropped her off there and came here, but I probably went to go get her in about like 10 minutes. >> What kind of work were you doing? What kind of work were you doing? >> Um, just cleaning up. It's it's this uh app called Homegllo. So, it's like you a bunch of customers that pops up on your on dashboard. You pick depending on your schedule or whatever it be. And then they give you like maybe $30, $60, $100 depending on how many hours that they need. >> Home glow. >> Yeah, home a glow. It depends on how many hours that they um need you for. You show up to their location, you clean their house, whatever they need you to clean, and then you go about your day and get paid from the job. You get paid the same day. >> Okay? >> And you go about the uh go about your day to go wherever else. So, I had at least 10 20 minutes and I was going to just No, >> they were out here for an hour. >> Like I said, they had food. They had >> They had food. They had something to drink. >> Yeah, but it's I mean, the sun's pointing right at the car. They were crying. People heard them crying. When his kids involved, you got to you have to get checked. >> Yeah, I understand. I understand. >> It's for your own good, too. You're okay. Just stay. >> He's going to take you to the hospital. You should be good to go. Okay. >> Yeah. The father faced six misdemeanor counts of childment. Under Illinois law, he could face a sentence of up to 6 years in prison for all six charges combined. Protecting children is not the duty of just one person. It is a shared responsibility of the entire community. Beginning with timely concern, quick action, and compassion for lives too young to protect themselves. >> Then he come over to me. >> When you say, what do you mean? >> Put both of your hands around my neck. >> Okay. >> This wife called the police to report her husband. So, you're being placed under arrest for battery family violence. He's got on him from you throwing stuff at him. >> But in the end, authorities transported her for further evaluation. On June 15th, 2023, Georgia police received a call from a mother reporting a conflict with her child's father. The argument between them quickly escalated, leading both to file complaints and requiring law enforcement intervention. In the end, however, only one person was transported by authorities for further evaluation. Hey, did you call or you neighbor? >> Called. >> You called? Okay. What's going on, sweetheart? >> Baby daddy, he um threatened me with a gun. >> Okay. >> Cuz I came home at 4:00 in the morning. >> At 4:00. >> He said that I was high off or whatever. >> He said that he smelt on me. >> Okay. When did he you? >> He just did. >> Just now? >> Okay. 4:00. >> Okay. Y'all have been fussing since 4:00. >> It's been since >> Yes. Okay. >> I couldn't get in the house. I've been staying outside all morning. >> So, he's in the house right now. Are the little ones in the house? >> Everybody's there. My three-year-old. >> Your three-year-old's over there? Oh, in that room. Okay. Just so I'm clear, you came home. He's fussing at you. He's saying he smells on you. What exactly did he do at that point? Was it just constant fussing or? >> Yeah, he me when I first got here. I didn't call the police. >> My baby right here in the seat. >> Okay, stay right there for me. >> It's the wall. Can you come out and speak to the police, please? >> She's telling me to play. Okay, that may be my baby with the phone. Okay. Okay. >> I'm going talk to you. You're gonna have a chance to talk. >> Hi girl somewhere in there. >> Okay. I need you to stay over there. Okay. >> Okay. I understand that. But I need you to stay over there. Okay. >> I want to separate and talk to you. We're not yelling at each other. Okay. So, do me a favor. Walk in front of me and walk that way. She's going to stay over there so that way I don't want y'all screaming. >> Shortly after the father made his own legal claims regarding the situation. >> What happened? She came in about 4:00 smoking. sister called me and told me that she smoke crack. She got my baby right here out. It's another little newborn baby that's in the hole. So I'm asking her where you been. >> She nuts the up. She's telling me my mama just passed your mama crack. Your mama that don't bother words don't bother you. When you start throwing [ __ ] my baby in the stomach with the [ __ ] phone, bro. That's what bothers with right here. She'll tell you that right here. Look, she she don't even want her mama. She's coming down here to me now. So I take the baby. We go in the room. I shut the door. She start throwing [ __ ] at the [ __ ] door. You can look up at the door right now. So it's a flashlight in there where she just cut me with she threw that at >> in the bedroom. >> In the bedroom you close the door. >> I closed the door and locked the door. >> You had the children with you? >> I had her with me but the little baby still in the little thing right there. I'm not even arguing with her no more. She's going ballistic, bro. You can go in there and see where she done throw the little It's a little Thomas little train that the baby's riding. She done threw that at me. That's in the bedroom. You can see it in pieces in that little She threw her uh it's a picture. She done threw all her [ __ ] She's breaking her own [ __ ] She's on. >> So you guys are you have the door locked? >> Yes. She trying to get it open. >> She opened it a couple times cuz those doors you can you can put some in the lock and they lock it. >> Okay. So keep So continue as to what happened leading up to this. At >> this point I'm tired of her throwing [ __ ] I take off running at her but she runs out the door. Oh I'm fixing to call the police. You point the gun at y'all going search that whole house, man. It's no good in that house, man. Unless she got one. But I don't have I don't need no point. >> Hell no. >> Where did you get that idea from? >> She's on. >> How long have y'all been together? >> We're not really together. I'm just living here because once I found out she smoked I'm not coming with a crackhead, man. No. >> How long have you lived here? >> 3 months. My mama passed in January. I came here probably March. They they not really my kids, but I they my >> So, not biologically. >> No, but the last one that we had, I signed a birth certificate just so I could stay here. You know what I'm saying? Stupid [ __ ] But I my back was against the wall. I had to sign a birth. >> You know what I'm saying? And if I wouldn't have signed it, I wouldn't have had to work. >> How long have you guys been in your relationship? just just being with each other. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. As old. She's 3 years old. So 3 years. Y'all been together off and on. >> Yeah. I was with her boy. She was pregnant with her. >> You said that cut on your finger came. >> She threw a flashlight at. >> What color is the flashlight? >> It's black. It's a hard metal flashlight too. >> Like what? >> Like something that y'all. But it's it's got a bar on it. >> Like bigger like a Is it like a metal? >> It's that size, but it's got like a like a bar on the end of I think it's supposed to go on if I ain't mistaken. But it flashes like y'alls. It does all that. >> One of my friends tactical light. Yeah, like t. >> Authorities entered to inspect and assess the situation, aiming to ensure fairness and protect anyone who might be a victim. >> When I first got here, >> he was like, he pointed again at me. He checked me. I got home at 4:00. He was fussing with me. When I first got here at 4:00, he me, but I didn't call y'all. And then right before I called y'all, he pointed at me and that's when I ran out the door. He's saying she got home at 4:00. He was like, "Where the f were you? We've got, you know, the kids here. What were you doing? What are you doing? She's fussing with him. Fussing with him. She throws a flashlight at him. He's got a cut on his finger. He's got a band-aid on it. He said the flashlight cut the band-aid. Apparently, it's like one of ours, but it's got like a little thing on it. Yeah. He goes in the bedroom with the little girl. She starts throwing stuff at the door. He said something about a Thomas train kind of thing. Um should be broken in there. The doors, you can like jimmy the lock open. So, she jimmies the lock open, but she gets the door open and then they're still fussing or she's still fussing. He stopped yelling at her and she goes running out the door. I'm going to call police. You pulled a me. And he's like, I don't have it. He's also saying that during the argument, she threw a phone at him, but it the little girl in the stomach. >> She just got two little toy guns right here. Another one that's broken. Is that her phone right there? >> No, her phone's outside on the ground. >> Little girl brought it out to her. If she's alleging that there is one, she would know more than I would where it is. >> Only guns I'm seeing are these toy guns. So, I didn't check under the seat cushion. >> There's like a um BB kind of thing beside the bed. I haven't looked at it. Looked at it. >> Well, she didn't mention a long >> Right. >> Here's a flashlight right here. >> You see it? >> Yeah, it's ripped. >> He said something about a bar on it. >> Would that be it? There's a >> scale. And that's a phone. Yeah, that's that's probably the flashlight he's talking about that attaches to a picket tenny and it's like pistol grip or rifle. >> That is not what I was looking for. >> No, >> not what I was expecting to see. Outside, the mother continued to report incidents involving her husband, highlighting safety concerns. >> Walk me through what happened again. You get home at 4:00. You open the door. I go to the sofa. I put my baby down. >> So, you had the little one with you? >> Yeah, I had both of them. >> So, you're coming home with both kids at 4:00? >> Yes. Okay. >> And he wakes up. He come through there. He was like, "Uh, dude, where you been at?" I was like, "I've been out." He like been out smoking with my babies, my [ __ ] babies. Then he come over to me. >> When you say, what do you mean? put both hands in my neck. >> Okay. >> I end up getting away from him and coming outside. Me and my little baby. I grab my baby and I come outside. Been out there. We sit out here for like 30 minutes maybe. >> Okay. >> I go move my car up there. But he won't do anything like take my kids and leave. And I managed to come back home. >> When you say come back home, what do you mean? >> I walk from the car. >> Okay. So, you parked your car up top? >> Yeah. Back from the car and get to the house. He's still me back and forth. >> When you say threaten, what do you mean? >> Like kill me. I'm going kill you when you I'm going to kill you a day. I don't care about living. I don't care about leaving. I'm like, "Okay." So, I sit I be back and forth inside the house. Me and him going back and forth, back and forth. So, I get in the I'm in the house. I managed to come back outside. I put my baby down so he can sleep. Okay. >> And he comes outside, throw lotion me with the gun. >> Okay. When he when you say with a gun, what do you mean exactly? >> What do you mean? Outside like he come out the door with the gun like I'm going to shoot you. I'mma kill you. That's why I ran outside to call y'all. Call y'all from heaven. >> Okay. Do you know where it's stored? >> It may be in the dresser. >> Under the mattress. >> Even when it's unclear who is responsible, this situation demonstrates that family disagreements can influence children's physical and emotional safety. >> Hi, sweet girl. What's your name? How old are you? >> You're three. >> Are those yours? >> Yeah. >> Those are beautiful. Did you make that? >> Yeah. >> I love it. Whoa. What is that? >> Oh my goodness. >> This your extra clothes for school. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Whoa. What is that? >> What did you paint? >> I play. >> Oh my goodness. I love it. It's beautiful. >> See? >> I see that. >> I see that. >> Just see a face. >> Okay. Just real quick. So when you say he you before you said he put both hands around your neck. Was it pressure? Was it just placing around your neck? What was that? >> It was like he cut my like I couldn't breathe. >> You couldn't breathe? >> I managed to get away from >> Okay. How did you manage to get away from him? >> Push him away. >> Okay. When you say push away, how did you do that? Just like both hands. Like where at where did you push him? On the chest. Okay. Evidence at the scene along with signs of distress observed on the father helped clarify the situation. >> I said I'm going to talk to him again, get his information, get his side again. So she's saying he her but there's no marks whatsoever. She's like she's not really >> how she got. >> No, it's just like I pushed him. If somebody if you can't breathe >> and somebody has enough force on your neck to not be able to breathe, you're not pushing them. >> Whatever it takes for me, >> right? Right. He's the one with the and he's saying she came home around 4:30 after doing cracking, >> right? And she's saying, "I came home at 4:00 with both kids. I put the kids down on the couch. He comes out. What are you doing?" yada yada yada. He checks her. So, she gets out of the house with the baby. She said she sits out here like 30 minutes, goes back in, does whatever, comes back out, takes her car, and moves it up the road so that he wouldn't take her kid. She said, you know, she comes back, they're arguing, arguing, arguing, and then she comes outside. and he comes out with her with firearms saying I'm going to shoot you. But apparently the whole time they're arguing it's I'm going to kill you. I don't care. I'm going to I don't >> That's before and that's after. She throws some stuff on. >> Yeah, she's throwing stuff with the lotion. >> And I can't tell if it's like a little >> right here on his arm and right here on his arm. He said he he when she threw the Thomas the tanking gem at him, he blocked with his arm >> which would make sense cuz it's in pieces. Yeah. There's like a little cure that I saw, but I couldn't tell. Blood blistering sometimes. >> It It looks like it got from like an abrasion or hit. >> And first off, she's throwing her own phone. >> Yeah, that she admitted. >> I don't think that if she threw the phone, what she admits to doing, I don't think she intended to hit the child. No. So, I'm not him with the kids if it hit the wall like she's saying or the door ricochets off. I could see that happening, especially if a small child is sitting there. >> She admits that it's been a lot of back and forth. >> Yeah. That's what she was talking about. I came outside and I moved my car and I parked it. Okay. >> Well, if you get >> wouldn't you move the car to somebody else's house to get away entirely? >> For once. If I get choked out, I'm not moving my car anymore. Police. >> No, there's no on her whatsoever. Like I said, so >> every small detail at the scene helped police reconstruct the full picture. And they continued working with the father to gather additional evidence. How come a suit How come a suit? >> It's got lotion all over it >> and it doesn't look like it's that. >> No, she said she had to take it off because they were tustling on the ground. If they were tussled on the ground, she'd have the dirt and it's got like lotion. It looks like it was just sitting there and when it got ported up, it Mr. Wall, do you have your ID on you by chance? In the house. >> He's in the house. Okay. Do you know your ID number by chance? >> No. >> How do you spell your first name? >> S E. >> Okay. So, just traditional spelling. So, just so I'm clear, you've been together like on and off for the last three years, something like that. >> You've lived here about 3 months. The children are not biologically yours, but the little one, you're on his birth certificate, correct? Okay. So, walk me through again what happened today. Yeah. Just so I'm completely 100% clear. >> All right. She comes in. >> Okay. What time was that? >> Uh 4:35ish. >> About 4:35. >> I was in her sleep. So, okay. She knocked on the window for me to let her in. >> Okay. >> So, I let her in, go back to the bedroom, lay back down. I lay down probably 30 seconds and I get back up. I come in there and ask doula. They call it doodle. Okay. >> Doodle, where you been? And she went crazy. You talking about where I been? And it went from there. She She started throwing. She run out the house with the baby in her arm. And she come back in the house. She'll throw at me. Then finally, she done put the baby back in the seat. But now this [ __ ] done got crazy because I'm holding my other baby, the little girl, and she's throwing her phone at the screen door. I was at the screen door. >> Okay. So, she's outside. She th >> She's outside. Throw the phone 10 times at the screen door. >> Okay. >> She comes in the house and throws the phone at me, the baby. So, I take the baby back in the room. I come back out. I say, you know, you just baby, >> okay? >> You know, you just >> you I don't give a [ __ ] She's throwing pictures at me. She's throwing air air fresheners at me, throwing flashlights at throw them and ran back out. Ran back out. She had a lotion in her hand. She came back out and slipped and fell in that grass and that went everywhere. >> So, she fell and that's how the lotion got pushed. Okay. >> That was another object she was going to throw at. >> So, she's running inside and out the house. >> She went inside and out the house screaming and hollering. Okay. >> The neighbors, they ain't they just letting it happen because they know that I'm a good guy. I don't do [ __ ] to her. I don't hit girl, man. Actually, since I've been here, she probably been doing the best she been doing besides smoking. You understand what I'm saying? And I know you smelt her. >> Mhm. >> That mother must as hell, man. So, that's basically throw the train at me with the train. Boom. I feel like right. What did I point at her? I don't have a damn gun. >> Okay. And the flashlight that hand that >> No, I think I I think I did that picking it up. >> Picking it up across the glass and broke the side of it. I think I did that picking >> Okay. So, that's not from things being No, she didn't. >> Okay. spot right here. >> They come from the train. >> The train. Okay. And you've got somees here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> They came from the train. >> The train. Okay. So, that's just from where the train is. >> Yeah. That ain't this ain't nothing. >> Just making sure. And just so I'm clear, did she have both kids with her when she came home? Okay. So, you were home by yourself. She comes home with both kids. >> Were the kids in the room while she's >> the little girl? Okay. >> She's having a girl with me cuz she didn't want money. >> She was calling her name. She didn't want money. Oh, he was. >> So, while she's throwing things it through, he's kind of in that crossfire being, "Okay, okay." >> As the facts came together, the mother addressed the legal matters. >> I'm going to go 95 with her. What he's saying makes more sense. He said, "She comes home, knocks on the window, has both kids." He lets her in. Hey, where you been? She has an absolute meltdown. She's running back and forth from outside to inside, picking stuff up, throwing things at him in the house. She takes her phone, throws it at the door a couple times. The door opens. She throws it at him. That's what hits her kid. Um, the lotion he said was outside. She comes outside, slips on her, drops the lotion. That's where it explodes everywhere. >> So, yeah. Battery family ves. All right. Mama, will you come down here, please? So, you're being placed under arrest for battery family violence. He's got on him from you throwing stuff at him. Anything on you that's going to stick or poke? Anything you're not supposed to get out my house. You can leave it. You can get it. He ain't getting it. authorities kept her family informed about the developments and relevant legal steps. >> Yeah. So, what you can do um contact the jail. It might be a couple hours which >> battery family um that's what >> what I can tell you is based on the stories provided. He's got on him. It's we see damage in the house that's consistent with what he's telling us. Her story is not consistent with what we can physically see. So that's why she's going for a Battery family box tonight. >> Can I go get her a t-shirt? A white t-shirt, please. >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. >> Um I'll be right back. I'm going to go home. >> Uh they won't let her. >> She can put it on now. >> Yeah. I mean, if you want her to cover, >> she won't she won't they won't let her keep it when she get in there. >> No, typically they disrobe other than like bras, underwear. They make them completely change out into jumpsuit. >> They take the underwear. >> Oh, do they? Okay. >> She won't be able to keep any whites right now. >> Why are you out of my handcuffs? >> Yeah, that's not acceptable, young lady. The important thing is that the children remained safe without serious injuries. However, they were still indirect victims of the family conflict. >> She took handcuffs off. So, you thought it was acceptable to take my handcuffs off? Young lady, >> get out of the car. >> What happened? >> We're not doing this. Get out of the damn car. You either get out on your own or I pull you out. >> Couldn't even be honest enough. >> Oh, honest. I honest about everything. Every time you come to my house, you lock me up for nothing. the same time you did last time. The charges was dismissed last time you came here. >> Yeah. Tighten it up a little bit more. >> Going to slip it again. >> Think so. >> Yeah. >> Got him. Ran my ch about to shoot me and [ __ ] Now I can't even find the gun and it's in there somewhere. Don't believe me say, man. We sat there wrestled in the yard and everything. That's why he got the scratch. I throw at him. >> Yeah, she filter. >> I'm going to have to cuz she's having her conion. Somebody want to go in the >> pardon? We cannot call a lot. >> Um, you can call over to the jail now and just say, you know, she's coming over. Battery family violence. >> No, not be. >> Oh, I have no idea. That's why I'm saying call the jail. >> Judge till tomorrow morning. >> Family violence. She stay overnight >> because if it's a felony or family violence charge, they got to have bond here. >> But is family violent felony? >> It depends. >> It depends on what the charges violence charge. >> She did not have a phone on her. Um, >> no. There's a bunch of different phones in there that we saw. There were a bunch of phones in the house that we saw, but she did not have a phone on her. Can we um lock it out? >> Yeah. Yeah, I did. >> Okay. >> The issue is she's still going to slide over and do it. >> If she does that and she hurts herself, that's on her >> and she's >> whatever. If >> I'm just going to do the ABR at the jail. Yeah. I'll let you know. Thank you. >> The mother was charged with battery and childy. Under Georgia law, she could face a sentence ranging from 2 to 11 years in prison. Family conflicts, even when originating from adults, can still leave lasting effects on children's emotions and development. In Florida, an incident drew public attention when a young child faced potential danger due to the instability of her own mother. >> Police officers DON'T THINK I'M FINE. I'm fine. >> On December 17th, 2023, Florida police along with fire and medical responders rushed to an ice skating rink after reports of a mother showing signs of impaired control. She was reportedly attempting to leave with her daughter in an unstable state, raising concerns for both their safety. >> Who called? >> Can I talk to you guys over here real quick? >> So, what's going on exactly? >> Oh, I I pulled up the We're getting ready to play hockey. I pulled up over here. She was stumbling trying to stand up over here and I was watching her. Her daughter was helping her pick up all her cuz she fell. They came over here. I was trying to make sure she wasn't driving, yanking on her door, trying to get in. busted her kid in the face trying to get the door open and then put her in the car seat and that's when all >> she just like [ __ ] house for her kid just want to let her take off. >> You said you called you called. >> Did you see all that as well? >> Yeah, right next to you. >> From the beginning, the mother appeared distressed and did not fully cooperate. >> Okay. >> Please don't miss me. >> I'm not doing anything to you. >> Do you have So, we're going to have the fire department come check you out. Oh, hey. >> Is there someone that can come pick you and your daughter up? >> Yes, I I I am fine. Like, please don't do this thing. >> Nobody's doing anything. >> We're not doing anything good. Hey, how you doing? >> You're not getting in the vehicle, though. That's not happening. That's not happening. >> That's not happening. >> Let's not Yeah. Let's not turn this into something doesn't need to be. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, let's go back to your name. You said your first name is >> My name is Eva. >> Okay. Eva. >> Eva. >> What's your date of birth? >> Hawaii. You said you're not doing this to me. >> We have to document this. Yes, you're not in trouble. You're not I'm not trying to You are going to have to get some help because you are clearly not in a manner that you can care for yourself right now. >> I will get my husband. >> Okay, that's great. >> That's great. >> What happened to your daughter's chin? >> What? >> What happened to your daughter's nose and chin? >> She keeps wiping it. She keeps like wiping her tongue. >> Hey, how you doing? >> Please. >> What? >> What happened to your chin? Oh no. >> Car. >> Oh no. >> Over here. >> First name. Eva. >> What happened over there? >> Why don't we move to the sidewalk? >> That way we're not in the middle of the road. >> Even as the police tried to calm her. She remained anxious, refusing to cooperate. >> So, what's going on today? >> Nothing. >> What are you guys doing over here? Watching a game or what's going on? We're having like my my my girl is having ice skating. >> Ice skating. >> Ice skating. She's going She's going ice skating >> right now. >> Yeah, right now. >> Okay. What's her name? What's >> like like please? >> What's uh what's your social security number? >> I didn't do anything. Did I Did I do anything wrong? >> But we're not trying to do that right now. We are trying to help you instead of go that route. So, it would be best if you >> arrest me. Please. Please. Does it look like I'm arrested? >> No. >> Okay, then calm down. You need to calm down. >> If you were being arrested >> I have anxiety. I I'm a mother and I'm anxiety. >> If you were being arrested, you'd already be arrested. >> I I have anxiety. >> Do you not have your driver's license with you? >> Yeah, I do. >> Where's that at? >> It's in the car. I just have anxiety. What's going on? >> We're doing an investigation. >> No, you guys are doing an investigation. I'm crying. >> What's your husband's phone number? >> Why? >> So that we can call him. No, please don't. Please don't. Please, please don't. Oh my >> Who else is going to take care of the child? >> I'm not in any condition. Yes, I am. >> No, you're not. You need somebody who can come over here and help. >> No. No. Please don't. Please don't do this. Please, please don't do this. Please follow me. Like, I have condition. >> How do you know? >> What's your husband's name? >> No. No. No. I'm getting excited. I'm getting excited. Like, please. >> Okay. Okay. The fire the fire department's coming to do an evaluation. >> No. >> So they can address any anxiety. >> No. No. I'm okay. Like who who did this? >> You did this. >> No, I did not do this. >> Yes, you did. >> No, I did not. >> Yes, you did. >> No, I did not. >> These are choices that you made that led you here right now. >> No. >> What's your husband? >> Jeez, why are they coming? >> What's your husband's? >> I am okay. I am okay. >> Listen, you're either going to tell us somebody who can come and help care for the child or we are going to have CPS come and pick up the child. You're not going to have access to her. Are you going to give us a phone number or no? >> I'm okay. >> Are you going to give us a phone number or are we going to have TCF with the sacred child? Those are your two options. >> No. >> Then give me a >> phone number or DCF. >> Something happened. I'm okay. >> Those are your two options. >> No. No. You're not going to do this to me. >> All right. We're going to call DCF if you don't give us a phone number. >> Absolutely we are. >> No. >> However, the police's efforts to assist the mother and ensure her daughter's safety did not go as planned. and instead the situation grew even more tense in front of the child. >> Can I talk to you? Fine. Can Can you come to me right now? Can you Can you come talk Can you come and talk to me? I I I'm fine. >> Definitely need some evidence. >> Can you come Can you come and talk to me? >> Why don't you do Can you do me a favor? >> No. Do me a No, please do me a favor. Your No, your partner Your partner get evaluated. your partner talk to you. >> Hey, >> how I should be evaluated? This is not how it's going to work. I'm okay. >> I don't want to be released homes. >> Okay. >> Without your parties. >> Look at me. >> I I am a paramedic. I'm looking at you. >> I'm a paramedic with the fire department. >> What I would like to do, you can come sit over on the fire truck with me and get you checked out. Make sure you're okay. And I'll >> But I've got to make sure that you are okay. >> Can you come here? >> I'm right here. >> No. Come closer. Come closer. >> Leave your daughter with all >> your check out. Okay. >> I'm I'm fine. I'M FINE. NO, I'm fine. >> You want to come to me real quick? >> It's okay. >> I'm fine. >> It's okay. It's okay. You're okay. >> It's okay. Is the yelling scaring you? >> No. I I know. >> I'll tell you what. You want to walk over here with me? Mom, >> I I'm not going to do this. >> The issue we're going to have is that you're unable to give me information and I can't make sure you're okay. >> Have to take you somewhere to make sure you're okay. >> I'm fine. >> Great. So, let's get you checked out and make sure you're okay. >> Police officers I'm having like stop. The problem I'm having is your police officers don't THINK I'M FINE. I'M FINE. >> Faced with the risk of escalation, the police had to temporarily detain the mother for a medical evaluation. >> NO. NO. >> WE'RE JUST GOING TO GET YOU HELP. We're just trying to get >> Stop resisting. We're leaving. No. No. Leave me alone. >> We're just trying to get you help. >> No. No. I I fine. >> I understand that. But we sure >> No, I'm 51. I'm protective. >> I'm fine. >> What's your first name? >> My name is Eva. Give me my daughter back right back. No. Give me my daughter back. You're >> stretcher, please. >> A stretcher. Seriously, a stretcher? What are you doing? >> Taking your keys. >> No. NO. GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER BACK. NO. NO. THIS IS a problem with a police officer. You're okay. >> Give me my daughter back. WHAT WERE YOU JUST SAYING? >> PROBABLY cleaning up right now. >> Got to make sure that you're okay so you can take >> No. GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER BACK RIGHT NOW. NO. NO. >> That might be >> I'm not drunk. Give me my daughter back. >> Give me my daughter back now. I'm not drunk. No. I NO. NO. NO. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. >> You're going to get a felony. You will get a felony if YOU >> I WANT MY DAUGHTER BACK. YOU WILL GET A FELONY. You will get a felony. I WANT MY DAUGHTER BACK. Handcuff me. You are irresponsible. I want my daughter back. I want my DAUGHTER BACK. I WANT MY DAUGHTER BACK. NO. NO. YEAH. NO. YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME. NO. NO. NO. NO. How dare. How How dare you? >> The child was briefly placed in a safe environment to prevent distress. >> No. You know what? You guys are like, "I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything wrong." A good subject trying to get into his radio's going to be off for a second. >> Seriously, I didn't do anything wrong. >> I did not do anything wrong. >> You never gave me a chance. >> More mild until we started trying to care for her. >> NO. NO. NO. YOU INSULTED ME. YOU POLICE OFFICER. That's the way you guys are in the USA. Police officers. I WANT MY DAUGHTER BACK. ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE US YOUR father's her father's phone number now? >> Release me now. >> THAT'S NOT HAPPENING. >> I DO. >> SO, DO YOU WANT YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO WITH YOUR DAD or do you want her to go to >> JF? YOU SHUT UP. IT IS. >> WHAT DID I SAY? What did I do wrong? WHAT DID I DO WRONG? YOU NEVER TOLD me what I did wrong. WHAT DID I DO WRONG? WHAT DID I DO WRONG? I DID NOTHING WRONG. IS IT GOING TO BE A MARCH? >> NO. I'M I'M going to sue you. I'm going to sue you. I'm going to take your time. I'm going to SUE YOU. I HAVE ANOTHER DAUGHTER. I'M GOING TO SUE YOU GUYS. I'M GOING TO SUE YOU GUYS. NO. I'm going to sue you guys. >> Can we have your the father's name so we can get your No, >> we don't want her to go into services. Hello. Hi. Hi. What's your name? >> My name's Chelsea. Chelsea. >> Your employees. >> And I No, your >> CMS. >> Your employee did everything wrong. >> Yeah, they did. They're like stir They're like stirring me up for no reason. Rather than imposing immediate punishment, the police applied the Marchman Act, a Florida law that allows medical intervention for adults struggling with behavioral control, especially when there is a risk to others. >> And no, I'm going to HEY, LISTEN. >> HEY, WE'RE TAKING YOU OUT OF HANDCUFFS. OKAY, >> we are, but you have to cooperate. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay, perfect. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I want my daughter back. >> We have to get her to dad. >> No. No. Here. Here's >> You're going to go to the hospital. >> We're going TO THE HOSPITAL. >> MA'AM, you got to relax. We're going to get you out of the handcuff. >> I didn't do anything wrong. >> Okay. >> We got to get you down to the hospital to get >> I didn't DO ANYTHING. I WANT TO SUE YOU GUYS. >> OKAY. YES, MA'AM. >> I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. >> OKAY. OKAY. OKAY. >> What we'll do is we'll take this one. >> You know what? 38. >> I went out. I went out. 38. I went out. I want to talk to you. Bring her arm up. She can leave. I scoot her back this way. >> Yeah, if we can. >> I want to talk to you without these. >> Okay, we're listening. >> I wouldn't talk to you about other things. My daughter is screaming for me. >> Unfortunately, my daughter, my daughter is screaming for me. >> That's why we need to go to her dad. She's going to go into the foster care system. Don't get us to her, Dad. >> No. What did I say? >> They said >> talk to me. >> OKAY. >> TALK TO ME. CAN >> you stop yelling so we can talk? >> No. The >> Okay. >> No. You You are like me. Screw and screw right now. >> This is about as good as this. >> What happened? >> Screw everything. >> What happened? Shut up. >> Have a lot of room to move. >> And screw everything. >> We can't. We're past. >> Um Yeah. Just the daughter's dad. My daughter is screaming. >> I hear that. But we got to get her to our dad. >> But I I want to talk to you over here. >> I'm listening. I'm listening. >> I I really want to like talk to you. >> I'm listening. Talk. I'm listening. Talk to me. >> I I I can't talk to you. There's all these guys around me. >> And like I I just No. No. You're like unscrew me. >> NO, YOU HAVE TO. >> You're a risk for YOURSELF RIGHT NOW. >> NO, I'M NOT. >> NO, I'm not. >> No, I'm not. SAFETY. >> NO, I'M NOT. I will my daughter. No, I'M NOT. NO, I'M SCREWING right now. I'M SCREWING RIGHT NOW. PLEASE. PLEASE. NO. NO. NO. I don't want you. I don't want this. >> I think we got her. We had to separate her daughter who's with Ken. >> So, I think we're good with her. If you guys can check on daughter and make sure daughter's okay. >> MY DAUGHTER IS NOT OKAY. She's in the >> That daughter is not okay because of you guys. >> You want me to get started on that work? >> Sure. >> Do you want me to talk? >> You start looking see what they need to do with the daughter if she needs to go in one of our cars and then start looking for parent information to see if we can find dad. If we can't find dad, we've got to call DCF. >> However, the mother's reactions made the authorities task more challenging. >> Not in the face. You're not listening to me. >> Go back by these stretch. You want me to go back in the couch? >> No. >> No. NO. NO. NO. I assure you. You guys have to. >> No. >> NO. NO. YOU'RE NOT. >> YOU WANT TO help me? >> Well, they're not double locked, but that's just going to make it around. >> You want to help me? You want to help me? You want to You want to help me? Are you busy? You won't listen to me. >> Do you need my cups on that? You already got them up there. >> We'll fix it straight so you guys get my daughter back. >> Stay in there with her unless you want me to stay in there. I can say did she at all? >> She I mean to my like arm but I was trying to gra >> I got you. >> I HATE YOU. >> I HATE YOU. >> Give me my kids back. No. NO. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. >> All right. I got to put something IN YOUR >> NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. YOU'RE NOT. NO, YOU'RE NOT. >> DON'T WORRY ABOUT NO, YOU'RE NOT. I SAID NO, WOMAN. I SAID NO. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> I SAID NO. YOU'RE NOT PAYING ANY ANYTHING. >> I MEAN, NO. >> NO. NO. NO. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? >> NO. NO. >> Hold her shoulder. >> No. >> Despite this, the police and medical staff remain patient and compassionate, explaining each step of the process. The incident demonstrates that the goal of the law is not only to address wrongdoing, but also to support adults in overcoming a crisis. >> I SAID NO. I SAID NO. I'M SORRY. I'm no. I said no. Yeah. You're You're like put something inside of >> Yeah. Yeah. You are. I'm going to sue you. I'm going to sue you. I'm I'm done. >> Do you want to tell us? I'm going to SUE YOU GUYS. >> What's your daughter's father's phone number? >> I'm going to sue you guys. >> Okay. >> 20. >> No, I'm suing you. >> For you to do that. Just want to make sure YOU'RE OKAY. >> I'M FINE. >> OKAY. DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND of major MEDICAL PROBLEMS? >> I'M FINE. >> NO, I'M FINE, THOUGH. >> Lung problems? >> I'm fine. You >> take medications for anything? I >> I'm fine. >> You're allergic to any medications? >> I'm fine. Let us go now. >> We can't. Not yet. No. I I I'm legal. I I'm legal. LET US GO NOW. NO. NO. >> ALL RIGHT. >> NO. OTHERWISE, I SUE YOU. LET GO NOW. >> WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A MEDICATION TO CALM YOU DOWN. >> I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. >> Give me Ali's handcuffs. >> We're going to give you medication handcuffs now. No. I will sue you. I will sue you right to your butt. And therefore, you guys vote. You know what? >> Open. >> I I I'm done. >> I'm suing you guys. I am suing every single person in this medical unit. >> Help me. >> Tell me your daughter. >> Please help me. >> What's the phone number for your daughter's dad? >> Just help me. >> 3 ml right here. >> I didn't do anything wrong. >> I don't want your >> I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything. Please help me. >> Get me out of this. >> Your hands are >> really I just need you to start. >> I need you. >> I don't want your daughter. >> What's the phone number for your daughter's dad? >> I didn't focus. >> I need you to focus. >> I I know. I know. Your father is hiding. >> Your but I need I don't want your daughter to go to DCF. You don't want your daughter to go. >> I don't. >> So, we're going to have her dad come pick her up. >> No, I don't want to. >> There's no other option. >> I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything wrong. I can get a pressure on her leg. >> I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. >> I DIDN'T DO anything wrong. I didn't do anything wrong. Please. Please. I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't do anything wrong. Please. It's going. Please help me. You give me a >> Please. Please help me. >> Trying to help you, but I need to stay. >> I didn't do anything wrong. >> I don't want your daughter to >> I didn't do anything wrong. Please help me. What did I do wrong? >> I didn't do anything wrong. >> Can you tell me a phone number for >> What did I do wrong? >> This is a Marchman act. >> No, I'm asking you. But what did I do wrong? >> You're being marchman act. You can't take care of yourself right now. You can't take care of your daughter. I got it. Once the situation was under control, the police informed the father about the legal measures concerning the mother. >> All right. There's the keys. You're the registered owner of the vehicle, right? >> That's correct, sir. >> All right. So, today, uh, she was found trying to get into the car, opening the car really suddenly on your daughter's face. >> Wo. >> That was when people decided that they needed to, you know, see what was going on. Severely stumbling, had a really bad uh slur in her speech. So, she was uh and had urinated on herself. >> She's been a before. She goes AA and she's had a drinking problem in the past. >> I was not aware if that was cuz you know, alcohol is really easy to hide. >> Yeah. And the car smells like alcohol. Uh I couldn't find any other substances in there. If there was anything else, we could make sure that they know so they can get her the help that she needs. Whenever we tried to confront her, she started to freak out. She started gripping your uh daughter really tightly. So, we got afraid for the way that she was acting that she was going to hurt herself or your daughter. So, we had to place her in custody, put her under a Marchman Act. A marchman act, it's involuntary hospitalization for substance use >> for 72 hours or 48 hours. >> Uh, it's until the hospital releases them. So, normally that's they just let them sober up. Um, >> they're supposed to also try to uh do some follow-ups. So, give her some sort of appointment for some sort of doctor's appointment in the future, right? >> But sometimes that doesn't happen. So, don't let them lack on that cuz that's really important part of the process. We're trying not to do anything criminal. Although, there was a lot of things that happened when she escalated like that that that were pretty bad. Um she did strike a ambulance worker. >> Wow. >> She severely freaked out. Um especially after we started putting her in custody, but that's pretty much it. She's at Largo Medical Center. >> Largo Medical Center. >> Yep. You know where that is? >> No, I just we moved here 8 months ago. What? >> The father was then granted custody of the child. >> That's perfect. I forget phones exist. >> Uh there there's a couple campuses, so make sure you get the right one. >> It's the main campus on 14th Street. So yeah, that's it. I'll take a picture of this >> and then >> it should show you the address on the on the bottom too if you take that up. >> Nice. >> Yep. Yep. That's the one. 20114. Do >> you guys have a police report number reference? >> Yeah, I've got one in the car. >> There's a good chance this marriage is out there last. This is not the first time this happened. >> Thank you. >> You guys didn't find any alcohol in the car? >> I barely started looking. I was trying to control the whole scene and then you were here. So, you're welcome to look. It's your car. If you find anything that seems >> Cuz I noticed you guys were the car was open when I first >> Yes, I was trying to look. Like I said, the car smelled like alcohol. I was trying to see if there was any other substances cuz normally when you act like that, it's not just alcohol. >> Where else could it be? >> I do not know. That's why we were looking just to make sure it was, you know, trying for her safety. >> Yeah. She prescribed anything. >> Fine. Can I get my report? >> She was she was recently >> kind of narcotic. >> She was like vitamin D, but then yesterday she went to pick up some like some other prescription. She didn't tell me what it was. >> Do you remember the name or no? No, she never told me the name. >> Okay. >> In pill form, injectable form. >> She never even showed it to me. Okay. She just got picked it up yesterday supposedly. >> That's my name, my badge number. And this is the report number for the report that I'm writing. >> I got another question for you guys. I have so I have two cars here and obviously I'm the only one that can drive them. Is there any way one of you guys can take one of my cars to my house or how would I get one? Because I don't want to get the cars towed. I have three kids. >> We can't do that, but it's not going to get towed here. >> Yeah. So no one's going to tow. Like there's people in these spots every day all day long. So I can just leave one of the cars behind. >> Yeah, you can leave that one there. Make just make sure it's secured. And >> my other car is there. So like I got to figure out how I'm going to get a second driver, too. >> Yeah. So if if you park here should be good >> on the windshield. >> Yeah. >> Police, you know, just for whatever reason. >> Got a bunch in the car. >> Or something like that. >> Normally I don't like call it out over the radio. >> Yeah, cuz I guess I'll leave this car behind till I can figure out a way to get it. >> Yeah. You got like a buddy or something? Just come. >> I don't really have any friends here. I moved here not too long ago. >> Anyone from work? I work from home. >> Yeah. >> Here, I'll put this in the window. Should help. >> Okay. >> Do you have any more questions? >> Um, do you know whether I'm not really sure what else to do? >> I'm going to have to run up to the hospital to drop off the paperwork, but >> is the hospital going to be all disclosed like all like are they going to a breathalyzer at the hospital like a urine test to see what what's she's on? >> They'll do a toxicology. >> Will I get those results or is this confidential? >> Uh, you're her husband. I'm assuming you should have somewhat of access to him, but with HIPPA, it's hard to tell. >> Okay. >> The mother faced charges of child without causing great bodily and resisting arrest, both thirdderee felonies in Florida. Under the law, penalties can include up to 10 years in prison or probation, along with fines up to $10,000. Even a brief moment of adult distress can affect a child's well-being. That's why the law steps in promptly, not only to support the child, but also to help the adult manage their challenges. Behind every legal case is a human story. And behind every outcome are children who sometimes have to grow up faster than they should. The law is not meant to judge emotions, but to protect those who are most vulnerable. The cases you've just followed remind us that when adults lose focus and responsibility, the broader community must step in to help keep children safe. If you're interested in the human stories connected to the law, keep following the channel because each video is not just a case, but a thoughtful reminder. See you again tomorrow. Heat. Heat. N.