police department. >> We have eight kids. >> Hey, hey, hey, stop. >> She has two kids in the back seat. Neither one of them have car seats. >> And you guys just got kids out of the car one at a time and left one. >> From Florida to Illinois to Iowa, today's parents are creative indeed. Turning cars into nurseries, streets into bars, and the law into a gamble. Different scenes, same truth. children caught between carelessness and the law's judgment. It began in Florida where an urgent call pulled police into a situation where alcohol collided head-on with a duty of motherhood. >> There is a Cadillac driving in all over the road and we're coming up down by Love's Landing. He's going to hurt somebody. On October 30th, 2022, Florida police received an emergency report about a Cadillac driver swerving, crossing double lines, and veering out of lane. They quickly pulled the vehicle over, but the woman behind the wheel denied everything. You've had not one sip of alcohol. >> No, I actually got off to work. I'm just tired. So, I'm I'm very surprised cuz you got calls about me because I've just >> 110% without doubt cuz they they gave us directions all the way to you stopping right here. You was passing on double yellows, running off the road. >> I have not passed anything 100%. >> All right. Maybe you didn't pass, but they said you were swerving over swerving over the line. >> Running off the road. >> It wasn't no swerving, no run off the world. None of that. I actually let vehicles pass me. That's why I pulled over because it's actually a SUV that was running up on me and so I pulled over to let you go. >> So, how come your speech is so slow, lethargic? It's slurred. I can hear you sluring. >> I am I'm honestly tired. You can't >> I mean, just shoot me straight if you you're drinking today. >> I'm No, I'm telling you 100%. Like, I just got off of work. >> So, do you know where you are right now? >> Oh, yeah. I know. I am on I came from the job always take cuz they have all that construction. >> Mhm. >> Eagle nest and take this road all the way back around. >> Do you know the name of this road though? >> Um Oh no, I couldn't tell you. This is Okay. The church is right there on EMS. So that crosssection is Oh no, it's another road and I take it all the way around and I come back out to 441. Another thing, I see one kiddo was in a seat, but the other one's not in a seat. Actually, it doesn't look like either one of them is in a seat, are they? >> Okay. >> Where's their car seats at? >> Hey, we got the Red Bull just got off of work. Make sure to stop. >> I got you. Can you hand me your driver's license? >> Yeah. Um, I got pulled by some kind of like two days ago coming from work, so I know my driver's license checked out. I have a nursing license. Okay. >> Oh, come on. I cannot believe this. >> All right. >> Like I'm like a few miles down. I need to go sl the same light. >> Where is that? >> The ever so much. >> Just sit tight just for a second. I'll be back up here with you. Okay. >> I'm not. >> You're okay. >> All right. >> Just sit tight. Okay. >> More shocking still, in the back were two children, no car seats, no seat belts. Coupled with clear signs of impairment. Officers immediately conducted a DUI test. >> She has two kids in the back seat. Neither one of them have car seats. She sounds like she's sluring just a little bit. >> Well, damn. >> EMF. >> Miss Bowers, who stays at the Nebraska address with you? Can you have one of them head on up here? I'm going to have one of them drive your car, okay? Cuz I I don't think you're fit to be driving. >> I am. I know. I seem emotional. >> It's not that. You seem intoxicated to me. I'm just going to be honest with you. >> Yeah. >> Can you get one? >> Like I can do what sobriety says. Pretty sure I can pass it. >> Okay. >> Some people like >> Don't even step back. >> That's I'm sorry. >> You're fine. Step up here to my my push bumper. Okay. Can you just step back just for me? You >> told me you're not good. >> Yeah. It's okay. This way. Step towards my car back here. >> All right. >> Back there towards my car. >> It's just a little easier on the concrete than in the grass. Okay. >> Just hang out just for a second. What are you doing? You said you wanted to do a field sobriety test, right? >> Oh, yeah. I was just [Music] I didn't know what to expect. So, >> do me a favor. Just back your car right into the curb back there. Almost just out of the curve. So, you're facing this way. you know, cars will be going. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You have duct tape. >> I know. I just smile. Yeah. >> Just block traffic for me, >> please. >> Thank you. >> But when even standing upright was a struggle, how could she possibly pass the test if you don't mind? This knee is bigger than this knee, but we going to work with it. Whenever we >> I'm just going to have her block traffic so we don't have to worry about cars coming through. You know what I mean? Okay. Been trying to drink Red Bull because I just got off. I just got off at 2. They caught me off at 245 and it is not even 2:45. >> All right. So, I can tell again talking to you now. You're slurring. So, let me ask you again. Have you had any alcohol? >> Oh, no. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> No, you're okay. Thank you. And as you can visually see, it's visually visibly bigger than that last one. >> But hey, what whatever y'all determine, I'm cool with it. >> Yeah, we trying to >> I don't It don't matter. >> I'm just trying to get some duct tape out so we can start. >> All right. >> Hang out right there. Don't go anywhere. Just stay right there. >> Oh, just stand still. >> Okay. >> Thank you. I see that back. >> What's the matter? >> What's up? What's up? What's up? >> I don't have an insurance anyway. >> Hospital and we got to pay that bill in the middle. >> Not yet. We're just going to let you chill out for just a second. >> Help. >> You know your mama's phone number? Yes, we're going to wait on that. >> Of course, I can give you that. >> Do me a favor. >> Hang on. >> Come stand on this line for me right here. I want you to stand on this line with your heels on the line and stand face >> without the need for any further checks. The result was crystal clear and the police had no reason left to show tolerance. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> So, I want to confirm you're willing to do field sobriety for me? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. [Music] >> Yep. >> Yep. That's not going to work. >> Go ahead and stand up. We're going to help you stand up. Okay. >> Ready? One, two, three. >> Yep. Here you go. >> I'm sorry. >> You're good. You're good. >> I'm sorry. >> Do me a favor. Place your hands behind your back. >> Yeah. >> All right. At this time, you're being placed under arrest under suspicion of DUI. Okay. I think you've been drinking. Stand up straight. >> Yeah. >> Stand up. >> Yeah. Stand up. What are you doing? >> You've been standing fine this whole time. >> Stand straight up. >> Let go. >> Stand up. >> Which one you going in? >> Which is >> that one? 1909. >> Stand up. >> Come on. >> I know. I'm trying to help you. You got to stand up though. >> Come on. >> Hey, don't make this harder. Don't make this harder. >> Come on, Matt. >> Stand up. Stand up. >> All right. Have a seat right in here. >> Have a seat right here. >> Okay. >> Turn around. Butt first. >> Okay. >> Butt first. >> Stand up. >> Put your foot in there. >> Put your leg in there. Hey, go stand. Get get in the car. >> Yeah. Lift your leg. Lift. >> Making this more difficult. >> Lift it. Come around. Turn around. But first, >> Crystal, now I got to >> I'm helping you. >> Though intoxicated, she was still treated humanely by the police. But that very tolerance only sparked her defiance. [Applause] [Music] back to lake. have a 1032 operator in the jail, please. >> Hi, honey. >> Is Rudolph your daddy? >> Grandpa, do you know what Eddie name is? >> It's parents. Hi, this is Deputy Whitehead. Can you hear me? >> Hello. >> Hello. What the [ __ ] Oh no. What the [ __ ] Oh no. What the [ __ ] is going on with >> You're under arrest. >> Glad you guys are safe now. What was he? Were you scared? >> You like stuffed animals? Yeah. >> All right. Which one? >> The mother was arrested and booked into jail on one count of DUI and two counts of child. Under Florida law, she faces up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000. However, according to court records, she was released on bail set at $3,000. All right. You ready to walk? >> You ready? >> You okay? >> Oh, I'm very >> All right. I'm going to sit you up. Okay. Can you do that? >> I'm like 250. >> We got a chair for you right here. We got a chair you can sit in. >> I don't know. Chair. >> All right. Here's your chair. >> The mother's actions not only endangered herself, but also put the children and other road users at risk. Hopefully, she will soon realize her mistake. Change in society will strengthen education to prevent similar tragedies. Florida closed with a drunken mother, while Illinois opened with a couple so clear-headed they forgot their own child. >> I guess yesterday we must have been super tired. But >> on June 30th, 2024, Walkegan police received an emergency call. A child had been left in a car overnight. Upon arrival, they found the baby exhausted, crying hard with wet clothes and seats. Authorities immediately began searching for the car's owner to clarify the case. >> I'm going knock on this the house and see. >> Good morning. Do you know whose vehicle this is parked outside your house? >> No. Is there any other families that stay here? >> No. Okay. All right. We're trying to There's a little girl in the vehicle. We're trying to figure out who she belongs to. No idea. >> All right. Thank you. >> I can go over there. He's just whole family's anti police. >> Family's anti police. >> Oh. Well, they're >> 100%. >> We're taking this child today. water. >> Sorry, man. I didn't mean to step by, but DCFS has been involved. >> She's probably been out here for a while. >> They're what? Drugs. >> Could you imagine if they somebody didn't see this? This car is going to heat up. >> Are you okay? You want to stick her? >> Yeah. >> Police immediately split into teams. One rushed straight to the child's grandmother's house after obtaining her contact information. >> All the windows are up, too. >> They're all up. >> And who knows how the kids went out? >> Yeah, that's why I want to ask for myself. I'm sorry. My cell phone's an arena. I want to see how long you've been here. >> I'm sure there's a green camera somewhere around there right across the street. >> Yes. >> Hi. Are you okay? Stop. Don't go with it. Okay. Okay. DCFS. Okay. Uh, >> mother, Wisconsin. >> So, they live in that area over there. >> Okay. Do we know where? >> She said north of Msina. She said around North Msina. She doesn't have the address, but she said last she knew where was they were at Six Flags yesterday. >> You good here. I'm going to head back to Shepherd in case they come outside. >> Yeah. No, go ahead. We're going to take the kid to the station. >> Yeah. I'm going Well, it's Shepherd's call. Not trying to jump all. I mean, I get really pissed off when >> Well, 100%. Especially cuz I know that they don't care about the kids too often. >> But we're taking >> cuz she said she honestly DCF if we do take her, they'll probably want her involve to give her protective custody to her. Right. >> We definitely got to involve DCFS. Let's see what they say because this is kind of the >> other team quickly tracked the mother's whereabouts. >> Mom is not at the house. She lives in this area though. The her mother was there and said she lives in near north of Msina unknown where is trying to figure it out. So I came back here and basically come outside. >> What about dad? I think both of them live here. I suppose they both of them live here. They're at Six Flags yesterday. That's the last sentence. >> So I assume that Joshua, which is the brother, out wandering around cuz the DCFS records show her 2019 and her brother a little bit older, 2017. >> Address way up there. >> Well, we already checked. So the address that all that I found DCFS paperwork in there comes to grandmother's house up here. She says that her daughter lives somewhere in this area north of Msina, but she's not entirely certain where. >> I already checked this house. No idea who. >> I'm guessing it's this apartment complex. >> Yeah. And what's her name supposed to be speak? No. >> If she does, I think it's Spanish only. >> She's five. >> Apartment one. When you're ready to make contact, we have everything we need. >> A neighbor also unexpectedly ran out to assist them. >> I think they struck a light here. >> About to make we're about to go make contact with it now. >> Hey, ask her when that she saw when that got parked. You know how long how long the truck was here? >> No. >> Did you call? >> No, it's my husband. There's a man live here. Yeah. >> Thank you. I might be closer. >> Police. Sounded like something from inside. I don't know if it was the upper level or the lower. >> They've got they got he found mail with her name. >> No, I know. I'm just looking. I'm going to look at the camera and see how long she's been out here cuz grandma's like last I knew they were at six flags yesterday afternoon or last night and knowing them. >> Um is grandma going to come for her? I told her she she actually's good to come. How depends on what they want to do. They didn't want to take customs. >> The girl will come. >> Okay. >> So, she's the >> child fully buckled in. There's >> no way she could have got out of it. >> After repeated knocks on the door, the father and mother finally appeared. However, they seemed completely unaware that a child had been left in the car. >> Hey, come outside. >> What's your name? >> Sylvester. >> Sylvester. How long you been here? >> How long I've been living here? >> No. How what time did you home last time? I got home last night around I'd say like around 11 >> 11:00 at night. And you haven't left this house since then, right? >> At all. >> When's the last time you drove your Yukon? >> It's not a Yukon >> or whatever it is. Your SUV. Your black Tahoe. >> My girlfriend. What? >> What? >> When's the last time you drove the the Tahoe? >> Your mom has >> Hey, Enrique, come here. >> I want to know what they're saying. No, but it's uh it's it's uh Spanish on the phone. I want to know what's going on. Okay. Mom's coming. >> Okay. We already tipped him off. I was trying to figure out, but he said he got here at 11:00 last night. >> What's your daughter name? >> You want to question her some more? >> Yeah. I mean, I just want to know who's driving >> before we do before we do the Wisconsin thing. Question her. >> It's going to depend on who's driving cuz it might be both going or it might be just >> both. We're just probably exhausted from yesterday, right? Six Flags Six Flags. Probably exhausted. >> Yeah. You guys want to eat her? >> And we should probably sleep so many you guys probably. >> So we just kind of ask like if they remember like what anything about this or have they used a vehicle since this morning 11:00 last night was the last time they used the vehicle. >> Got home last night, right? >> Yeah. Well, like you went to the gym morning. >> He was driving. >> Like no point lying. Here's >> we got kids at this point. It's just your honesty is what's going to help you guys. is going to go a long way with everything and how this goes. >> You guys got home last night? I just forgot. She was sleeping. I'm assuming you guys have you have more kids, right? >> We have eight. We have eight kids and everybody like we had just had we got home like around almost 12:00 from 6:00. We still passed by and got some food. We got everybody off, but I mean everybody just started getting I got off first and I got some of the kids off then he got off and he got some of the kids off. So, usually we like we work as a team, but I guess yesterday we must have been super tired. But, >> okay. At this point is what is the best thing is that she's good. >> No, >> the other eight kids in that apartment. I kind of think we should just take her and screen it with her. Take both cuz if we take both, we got to >> You're right. We got to take care of She's 99. She's coming with us. We'll screen it >> and we'll see what the bosses want to do because we can always come back and hook him up, >> right? >> And then once they understood the situation, they casually explained. We have so many kids that we forgot one. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Hi. Uh, were you told to come down here? >> That's a grandma. >> Like almost around 12 >> at night. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, around midnight and you guys just got kids out of the car one at a time. Yeah. >> And left one. >> So you said you had eight kids. All eight fit in that car or no? >> They they >> Okay. But that's how they were transported. They all came You guys got here and and just end up leaving one in the car. Correct. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> We have pictures and videos of all night um being there. Also like when we stopped by to get some tacos also recorded that like you know like at the time that you know we did stop at. >> This isn't pertinent but I'm just asking were you guys drinking at all? I'm just trying I'm just trying to figure out how you guys would have left the drive. You know what I'm saying? We do drink, but yesterday we were not drinking at all. We just dedicated our whole day to the kids from the morning to the like to the night time. We have people that were with us too at the flags. >> All right. Then what I'm going to have you do is I'm going to have you step out real quick just to confirm that this is in fact your daughter. I'm going to turn custody over to him. >> So you're good to come over here just to want to make sure that this is in fact your child. >> Okay. Well, we're going to leave the child where she is right now. >> Okay. >> She's okay. >> She's okay. >> All right. Wait, let's put back on the grass, please. >> Hey, just stand right here for right now. >> Yeah. >> Trying to figure out what's going on first. What What our next step is. Okay. Have you ever had any DCFS involvement before? >> I did. >> What did that entail? What happened with that? >> They closed the globe. >> Okay. It's closed. Okay. >> I did what I had to and they they closed it. So, you know, we've been doing good lately. It's like I never thought this has never happened to me. Like never have I ever forgotten one of my kids in the car. >> We're going to look through this. >> I'm going to talk to him real quick. >> With the facts now clear, the officers conferred and prepared for the next steps. >> So she's 99 Wisconsin. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So they got like nine kids though. >> She actually died. >> So the idea is we're going to hook her, screen it just for her, and then if the sister wants to do him too, we can. They were together last night. But because of the a kid situation just >> Yes. Who's taking custom? >> That's why we try to figure out how to go. >> I would take both of them down and screen it. Give the kids to grandma if she's capable of taking them both and then she's going to decide who to take. So we don't want to go get it and get a warrant from later cuz they're both in the car. They're both responsible for the kids. So bring them both down. Just tell them listen they may not charge you. They may do whatever but we have to bring them both down for investigation. That's it. Okay. And you just try to get all the kids info before we go forward. >> Make sure the grandma just make sure we get information too like what house she lives at and all that stuff. >> Got the grandma's info. I got her both parents like while he's gone cuz I'm pretty sure we fought off before. So let's just give him all the information we can. >> Oh, she's 28. So she ties my record. This one girl had eight kids at the oaks at 28. Seven different dads though. >> You want to get Does grandma know all the kids? >> Just stop there. >> So we could probably just hook them in then. >> Grandma. So, we're going to owe one both of them. >> Grandma's going to take custody. >> He's going to take him first. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Let's actually get two people. We get two more. >> They're going to take both of them to the station. >> We're 11:01 and both you and you will take a dude. >> Yep. >> Okay. Right. >> All right. >> And it ended with an arrest despite the mother's cries of I didn't do anything wrong. >> Currently under arrest. Okay. Just relax. >> Wait. Why arrest? >> Why did I do what did I do? Don't tense up. >> Reason for their arrest though. >> We're going to talk about >> Hey, make sure to get him get him some shoes and stuff. Okay. Shoes and a shirt. >> Okay. So, you you know you're being arrested for uh childhood. Doesn't mean you're going to be charged with it, but the state's attorney will let us know. Okay. >> It happens, but you know, unfortunately, it is what it is. Okay. Come on. Appreciate your quality on this. >> Men, >> I'm gonna get you shoes and a shirt. Okay. >> And you can let them know you're 111 with a female and to confirm. Do you have anything hidden on you at all? Okay. >> All right. [Music] >> But it didn't stop there. Police continued gathering video and photographic evidence. >> We're going to be bringing both parents down and all eight children turned over to the grandmother. >> Document that she's fully buckled in. >> Snot on her face from crying all night. >> Yep. I got I got a video. >> That is awful, bro. >> Do I get >> This bothers me a lot. >> Mhm. Literally, you do your report. >> I have body cam video. I took my body cam, put it in there. She's fully buckled in. She has snot on her face. And you know, you can tell she's been crying for a while. She just documented that. >> What's that? >> Her diaper's completely soiled. She's saw she peed through the seats. How do you give kids back to these type of people, dude? >> Oh, man. There's a case of four that DCFS gave all eight kids back to this one lady. DCFS took four at one time. >> Yeah. Yeah, he'll give her >> She's literally in a >> Yeah, I'll take I'll take it. You have a shirt and shoes for him? >> This is for her. >> That's her. >> Yeah, this >> Who's the main on this? >> Uh, Shepherd. >> So, her underwear, I told you her underwear is completely soiled. She's peed through the seat. So, you can document. So, you can see how what state she's in. >> All wet seats all buckled in on my body. >> Yeah. That's the only thing that he's supposed to just take all the kids away to every horrible. >> Dude, how did you not notice your four-year-old? Your baby. You should notice your baby. >> And and you know, you got to put her to bed. You know, at some point in the night, you're like, "Well, I'm forgetting to do something." >> I'm guessing they were not in the right state of mind. Yeah. Maybe maybe they were a little 56 >> Mhm. >> and a halfish, maybe. >> I don't know how somebody saw. >> That's what I was thinking. I like >> You had to be >> trying to break into the car >> cuz windows are tinted, bro. You ain't seen anything. >> I woke up. When I walked up, I could barely see I don't even know how new this is. She probably like trying to get out like smear the window, say help, you know. Doesn't even talk to her. >> Mhm. >> Complete this child. >> While also coordinating with the family and DCFS to ensure the children's safety. >> You guys here already? >> Yeah. >> Okay. They they just didn't give us much information. They just said to meet with you guys and you guys were not here. So, we >> She was just >> I gave him the details that she was left in the car overnight. That's all you guys did. >> Yeah. So, they just want to make sure she's good to go. >> Our parents parents are both us. She's a sister. Grandma should be outside, right? >> Yep. >> Both parents went with you guys. Are you >> taking custody? Grandma is taking right now. >> Grandma is. Did she want her transported to the hospital? >> Well, if she's fine, then no. Our concern is that she's she seems okay. I tried to give her some water right now cuz I assume she might be dehydrated, but she doesn't want to. That's just cuz she's picky. >> Yeah. >> Is she acting normal for herself? >> Yeah, she is. >> Well, we can check her out on the ambulance. Hi. Thanks, man. >> Yeah. If you want me to If you guys I'll stick around. If you guys want me to ask, I can have them ask the parents if they want to go and check that. >> Yeah, I'm not sure what are they under arrest or both of them. Maybe we'll talk to grandma and see what grandma wants, but yeah, we could we can check her out in the ambulance and take your vitals. If you're sticking around here, I'll get a witness signature from you, too, if they don't want to go if that's all right. Thank you so much. I can't imagine how I love you about >> father selfstray flores and mother Nail Mendes were arrested and charged with two class A misdemeanors a child in causing circumstances to a child under Illinois law each could face up to two years in jail fines up to $5,000 and bail set by a judge based on the severity of the case leaving the little girl in the car overnight not only threatened her physically but also planted fear and insecurity showing her that even family's arms aren't always safe. Think Illinois was the end. Wrong. Iowa delivered the final blow, leaving us breathless from start to finish. >> Ma'am, where are you going? Hey, ma'am. >> On July 24th, 2023, Howard, a De Moines, Iowa police officer, was on patrol when he spotted a speeding vehicle. He signaled it to stop, and inside was the female driver, McConnell Michaela, calling her mother for help. 25. >> Hi. How police department zone? >> Okay. >> Okay. Driver license. What's your name? >> How do I spell your first name? >> M A K A Y L A and then it's M C O N E L. >> Sorry, what was that birthday again? >> 2001. Sorry. >> You have insurance for the vehicle? >> Yeah. Well, that's got an expiration date of 2015. So, I'm going to tell it no. That's from March 10th, 2023. >> Huh? >> I don't have my >> Okay. Both cars registered as insurance. How? >> My mom has all of them. >> Okay. Like to be able to see. So, if she can text you a copy of like the the valid insurance, it's got the VIN for this vehicle, policy number, and the date, that's fine. That's all I need for a person for that, right? Who is the car registered to? >> I'm not sure. >> I don't I guess like a lot of people like I guess the car and then like a whole bunch of stuff. >> Why are you out of this house? >> Okay. So, what's your what's your last name? >> I'm Mom. Mom, mom, mom. I just got pulled over and I need to know the insurance. >> She can send you. She All I need is a screenshot with the policy number, please. >> The VIN number >> and the effective date. As long as the >> insurance I know, but I just feel um but what's last? >> Give me a second. But then when the police were distracted, she sped off, sparking a chase. Ma'am, where you going? Hey, ma'am. Ma'am. Ma'am, where are you going? Come back. Come back here. 44. >> Hey. Hey. Hey. Stop. 44. I got a car leaving my strip. She's heading southbound on sixth street. Got a baby in the car. Corbin went west. >> When Howard lost track, Garcia and Valentine were sent to Michaela's house. They discovered another car with a child inside. They knocked but received no answer. Police Department. >> The immediate danger now focused on the child crying inside the car. After a phone call, they decided to take the child to a safe place. Hey, we were doing a followup for Howard at 7500 Bloomfield, trailer 36 on a possible hit and run suspect. We come up to the trailer. There's a vehicle here that is it looks like it's been involved in hit and run, but it doesn't match the information that Howard gave, but there is a six-month-old baby in the back seat. Vehicle's running. Nobody in the driver's seat. No one's answering at the trailer. Do you want us to go ahead and start DHS out here? Have we run the ARO's information? Try to make phone calls today that trailer. >> I haven't tried to make any phone calls yet. I did run the RO's information. Comes back to a male. The hit and run driver is supposedly a female. >> Okay, let's uh let's talk on a couple of the neighbors doors real quick to see if somebody knows this kid or the whereabouts if they we're supposed to have them or not. And then yeah, if we can't get a hold of anybody, then let's we'll start on calls and start that route if we can't find anybody. But let's try a couple of neighbor stores. Maybe just one next door or something quick. >> Copy. will do. You want to start talking to neighbors quick? I'm going to see if I can get a hold of the >> RO4 for everybody's guys. This wasn't a hit and run. This lady took off for me with a baby in the back seat from a traffic stop. I need the information for active charges. One of them, so we know who did you have this lady's info, I'm assuming, right? inside. >> I got her name and date of birth. Uh I she gave me a phone number on the traffic stop. I haven't tried to call it yet, but I'll have active charges on her. >> Hey there, buddy. >> Let's uh let's go ahead and knock on door, but let's uh go ahead and call. We can start that process. >> Copy. Uh just to clarify, this car seat is not properly seated in here. Was this vehicle involved in an accident? Hey, buddy. Hey, he still cares. >> Not the one I'm looking for. Not the 98 Corolla. I don't know about this black Ultima, though. >> Okay. >> Police dispatch. >> Police 5E. >> Hey, Howard, you still over here? >> It's okay. Hey, it's okay. >> Sure am. >> You want to make your way out here too as well to the trailer? >> Hey, it's okay. >> Just down the street, buddy. >> Sounds good. I'm going to put him in our car cuz it's hot as balls in there. And then uh try to get hold of DHS. It's all right. Come on. You're okay. You're okay. >> It's okay, buddy. >> Police. Police dispatch. >> It's okay. >> After failing to locate the mother, police contacted DHS and decided to place the child with her grandparents. >> Car's running. It's got damage in the front windshield on the passenger corner. Baby's just chilling in the back seat in the carrier. The push to start car. I don't see the fob anywhere. He's got He has the kid in the back seat. >> Funny story. >> I think that's actually old damage. We got called out here on a shots trip a couple weeks ago. It's like probably about or realistically probably about a month ago and was in the area. Somebody mentioned, >> did you turn the fan on? >> Uh, no. >> I have Lindsay right now trying to get a hold of a phone number for the RO cuz that's not her car. >> Um, and then I'm going to call him to see if he's any relation to this kid and I'm waiting for DHS to give me a call as well. >> Is that your elephant? Is that your elephant? >> All right. So, what's the deal? >> Grandparents are here. Grandparents got a call from daughter saying, "Hey, come pick up my kid." And apparently they knew she wasn't going to be so they came down. >> Okay. But >> I still want to talk to DHS. >> Oh, absolutely. >> I'm still waiting for them to give me a call. >> I've got no problem with that. >> I have no problem if they go with grandparents. But >> we want to get the sign. At this point, we got DHS involved. We want to get the sign off on them. Yeah, I'm on the same page. >> So, I'm going to keep trying to get a hold of them. >> They own it. >> Mom said she's part owner in there. At the same time, every legal step was carefully discussed by the officers to ensure it was both lawful and fair. >> So, I'm going to clarify on that and find out what we've got. At this point, we've still got good warrants. If we can go in that Hi. Oh, is that tickle? >> 141. >> Tickle, tickle, tickle. Is that tickle? You're a sweet boy, aren't you? >> Run away. >> You're a sweet baby. Yes. Hi, this is Officer Valentine with Police Department. Um, okay. So, we had an officer out on a traffic stop with a young lady who had a infant in the car. The infant uh looked to me to be about 2 to 3 months old. She took off and eluded that officer. She gave her name and information to him before she did that. We were able to find out where her address was. We went to the address to look for the car. The car she took off in was missing, but there is another car here that is running with no adults around with the baby in the back seat. We've tried making contact with the uh trailer that it's associated with. Nobody's making themselves known. And apparently um the daughter called the child's grandparents um to come get the child knowing that the the mother wasn't going to be here. We didn't know grandparents were involved yet. So, we were calling to talk about maybe like a removal or some safekeeping. So, now I just want to kind of run it by you on what you think is the best course of action. >> Fortunately, the child was finally back with her grandmother. The one who could give the safety her mother could not. >> Mom's boyfriend. Grandma's boyfriend. >> Grandpa lives here. >> Jerry J R. >> He said that this car showed up within the last 515. The guy here doesn't just comes back to every day. The teachers never. >> So, not mom. My grandma's boyfriend lives here. Yes. Not not here. It's in the park. In the park. Okay. Sorry. Hey, buddy. Hey, buddy. >> I know. I know. I know. You're going to go see grandma. You're going to go see grandma. You want to go see grandma? Do you like your grandma? Let's go see grandma. Yeah, let's go see grandma. I You're such a happy boy. >> Let's go see grandma. He's smiling and happy. >> He is a happy baby. >> I have a 3-month-old at home. So, >> aren't you a little guy? Yes, you are. >> So, DHS has all your information. They'll probably reach out to you to talk to you. Okay. This is She's going to be hit with childment charges for fleeing with a infant in the back amongst a slew of other things. DHS is going to try and contact her as well and go from there. Okay. >> Okay. >> Do you have any questions with us at this kind? >> No. >> I would say if you see her, talk to her, I would tell her to call us and turn herself in to get this thing sorted out as quickly as possible. >> I will. >> Okay. >> I will. >> See you later, little buddy. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Sorry. >> No, no need to be sorry. >> A few weeks later, police discovered McConnell Michaela was involved in a car theft, and the truth quickly came to light. >> Okay. Yeah. Did you see if they were like male or female? >> I was in the garage. So, >> okay. >> Yeah. We're at second. It was kind of like giggling and 219 and they were running that way down >> 223. >> Yeah, they pulled up at 108. >> I don't know. They're wearing dark clothes. >> I can't hear you. >> Yeah, they ran from me at uh Southwest. >> No, I got plates. >> Thank you for calling. Are you guys going to be here for a minute? Okay, I might come and knock on your door to ask you a couple questions. >> Uh, no. They took off before you get it. We should be good. Um, they said they saw people go up this alley northbound about 10 minutes ago, but we don't really have northusect >> that ran from here like 5 minutes ago or probably 10 20 minutes ago. It's the one, so they just ran from us. They must have just pitched it. >> Yeah. Yep. >> 136 on two. >> Sounds good. Thank you. Wonder >> the legal consequences arrived quickly. The mother face charges of child eluding interference with official acts and probation violation. Under Iowa law, she could serve up to 11 years in prison and pay fines exceeding $10,000. Bail would be set by the judge based on the case's severity. That's why parental awareness and responsibility are vital as thoughtless actions can have long lasting legal and psychological consequences for children. From Florida to Iowa, three stories, three fates, but one dark truth. Adult irresponsibility and children forced to face harsh legal consequences. Each case is a warning that a parent's arms should be the safest place for a child. When trust is broken by alcohol or abandonment, tragedy destroys childhoods and leaves scars on society. Take a moment to reflect and share your thoughts in the comments. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you won't miss our next in-depth analysis. See you next time. [Music]