Millions of US children are reported at risk of black each year. >> There were knives left unattended. >> My baby, >> as soon as I walk in, I'm smacked in the face by odors I can't describe. >> I'm hop on the floor having on the floor. >> I told you the I told you to go home. I told you to go to home. >> That's one of the worst smelling things I've ever smelled walking into a house. Recently, Florida has seen a rise in cases with children left in cars in cold weather or living in unsafe conditions, raising questions about adult responsibility in childare. What would you do if you saw a child left unsupervised in a car in 13° C weather? In Florida, this happens. And the truth about the child's parents surprised me. >> We just want to be snuggled in bed together. On January 28th, 2025, Edgewater, Florida, police received a report of a child crying in a blue Honda SUV parked outside a bar in cold weather. Upon arrival, the vehicle was off and the child's parents were absent. Shortly after, the mother's boyfriend arrived. >> Hi. >> Hi, sweetie. Are you okay? >> Owner in the vehicle, but I'm not her mother. >> Okay. >> She's inside. I just grab the keys from her and check on her. Check on who? >> Her. >> Okay. >> What's your name? >> My name is Josh. I'm her boyfriend, the mother of this child. >> Okay. >> All right. What's her name? Christina for me. Christina, what? >> Yes. >> Do you mind showing me what Christina looks like? >> She has a bar at the corner of the first corner. >> What does she wear? >> Color shirt. >> What color shirt? >> I don't know. >> How do you not? After receiving a description of the mother, officers entered the bar and found her drinking inside. >> What's going on? Christina, come stand over. >> I just literally came here to get my boyfriend. >> Okay. Can you come stand over here? >> Christina. >> Hey, >> where's Josh? >> Josh is with their other officers. I need you to pay attention and focus. I am going to read you something. Uh, just because this is going in a weird direction. You're not under arrest. You're going to stay here. You're not going to be dipping and dodging me, but you're going to stay right here. Okay? Your child is okay. >> Okay? >> And Josh is okay. So, I'm going to read you something because like I said, this is kind of going this is going to go in a different direction. I have a feeling. I just need you to focus. So, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions and to have them with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed before any questioning if you wish. You decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present. You will still have the right to stop answering anytime. You also have the right to stop answering any time. Why don't you go over to explain what's going on? >> I don't need to explain anything to you right now. Christina, what's your first listen to me? >> I am trying. Listen. No. No. No. Christina, listen. I'm going to give you one more. No. I I know. I know you're not going anywhere. >> Okay. Just let me do it. >> But here's the deal. When I tell you to stop moving. >> Okay. All right. Can I just sit right here? Can I just sit right here? >> So, I'm debating on whether to put you in handcuffs right now because you because you don't know how to listen. >> I know how to listen. >> You want to have a seat? We can do that. Let's walk over and have a seat. >> Yes, ma'am. We're all 105. >> Her Miranda rights were read and she agreed to an interview. Faced with continuous questioning, the mother appeared flustered and tried to involve her boyfriend as a way to deflect responsibility. >> So, Christina, you've been read your rights. I have a feeling you know why we're here. Do you wish to explain or maybe help me better understand what the heck is going on? >> I literally came here to get my boyfriend. We were fighting or sleeping >> this car. >> Josh. >> Okay. So, this is this is Josh's car. Um, you were driving Josh's car. >> I >> Did you drive Josh's car here? >> I did. >> Okay. So, Josh was here with you. >> He was here. I got here after him. We had been arguing. I just >> You can have a seat back now. Thank you. So, you and Josh were arguing and Josh came here by himself. >> Yes. >> Okay. What time did Josh get here to the bar? I I really don't know honestly. >> What time did you get here to the bar? >> Can I check my phone? Sure. Probably less than a half an hour ago. >> Okay. About a half an hour ago you got to the bar and you came inside. >> I came inside. Josh was in here. >> He was. And then I had been sitting out here watching the baby and I just I got a drink. I was just waiting for him to leave so he could go home. >> Okay. So, at some point you decided to leave the child in the car to go inside and have a drink at the bar. >> Out here the whole time. I literally had just >> That wasn't my question. At some point you decided to go inside. He was out here watching the baby. Josh was. >> So Josh knew the baby was out here, too. >> Yeah. >> And at one point were you guys both inside when the baby was Well, yeah, because we were standing out here for quite a while. So, I'm trying to figure out what at what point did both of you guys decide to go inside >> and have a drink? And >> I honestly just wanted to get my boyfriend from the bar. I did. I was not trying to stay here at all. I was trying to just go home. >> Can you explain why you would leave your child in the car? on a cold night when the >> No, have a seat. >> I understand. Okay. >> Do you understand? Because you're having a very difficult time comprehending and following simple >> instruction. I'm just nervous. I just want my child back. >> Why are you so nervous? >> Because I just wanted >> What makes you nervous? >> I just wanted to go home. I didn't want any of this to happen. >> Okay. What were you guys arguing about today? You and Josh >> about him not being home. I just wanted to go home. I live I live with my I live we live over here in Edgewater. >> Where? off of. >> Okay. >> So, you guys live together? >> Yes. >> How did Josh get here? >> He has his own vehicle. >> Is that your car? >> Yes, sir. >> Which one is that? >> I believe it's just >> Is that the Dodge that he just put in the call? >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> Without giving her more time to explain, the police decided to face legal action, leaving the mother confused and distressed. >> I just I honestly I just I just >> So, Sergeant Williams, I I don't know if you're I mean, you might as well hear this in real time. Have a seat. >> Thank you, Stacy. All right, >> Josh and Christina are live together. Josh left and came to the park. Josh came outside when she went inside and they were doing a little swip while Josh was watching the child. So now Josh gives admission that Josh knew that the child was out here too, even though she came here alone with the child. They then both decided to go inside and enjoy some drinks. >> He has a father. Is the father Is he not in the picture anymore? Is he not >> um Is he incarcerated? Is he deceased? >> He's not deceased. Can I just see my child for a while? Okay, go ahead and go and turn around. Do not do that. >> Do not pull away from me. Stop pulling away from me. >> Pulling away from you. >> Oh my god. I can't believe this is happening right now. >> I don't want this to happen. Can you please back to my parents? Can you please I'm not I'm not Can you please roll back? >> You got her for a second. We're good. >> I didn't even here. >> I've been hanging out in the bar the whole time. >> Keep your voice down. We're going to talk to you in a second. Please change. Just >> I just asked her if I >> Hey. Hey. What did I just tell you? >> Can I talk to you, please? >> No, you can talk to me. You can't yell at me. Give me a second. I'm going to talk with my other officer for a second and we'll talk. We won't yell at each other. >> Okay. Hang. >> Next. The mother's boyfriend was also read his Miranda rights. The investigation became more complicated as their statements contradicted each other. >> Miranda, please listen. >> Can I talk to this guy, please? I'm going to talk to you in a second, but he's going to make sure you understand it. Okay. >> Okay. So, before we ask you any questions, you understand your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used in court. You have the right to talk to your wife for advice before we ask you any questions. and to have them answered any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer any questions now without a lawyer present, you will still have the right to stop answering any time. You also have the right to stop answering any time until you talk to a lawyer. Do you understand those rights? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And we have all of Josh's information. It's in the call. It's inputed already. >> I just need to input it. >> I'll talk with you now, Josh. That needs to be read to you because some pretty serious allegations. >> I understand that you're in handcuffs. It's pretty evident that you're not free to go. That's a procedural thing that needs to happen. So, you want to talk to me? Tell me what's going on. >> So, I've been in here by myself, hanging out for the last few hours. She showed up here. I told her not to come up here. >> Mhm. Officer Gray is going to jump in and ask questions as we're going along, too. So, go ahead. >> I told her not to come. I said, "Go to the house. I'll meet you there." At no point if I drove this vehicle. It is registered in my name. Yes. Because she cannot have a vehicle registered in her name because she has a DUI in North Carolina. So, I registered the vehicle in this name. >> She paid for the vehicle. It's in my name. >> Yeah. I think we're focusing on the wrong thing. Like, I don't care about the vehicle. Okay. So, what I want to understand is why what illegal fraction am I what am I doing? Because I was inside. I She just came inside. She came here with her. >> So, do you want to jump? Go ahead. Jump in. >> So, what time did she get here? >> Like an hour. >> Like an hour. It's roughly around 8 till around about 7:30. >> Yes. And I told her multiple times to go in the car and go to my house. >> Did she have any drinks while she was in there? >> At the very last minute. I think right before I came out here. >> At any point did she say she has a kid in the car? >> She told me yes. She did. >> Told you yes. When was that? This is when I came out here to check on her. >> Check on who? >> Her kids. >> I didn't know she was here. That's why I had the keys. I came out here. I said, "Give me your keys." >> My question is, so when she got here, she met you inside the bar. Correct. >> Yeah. She didn't tell me she was in here and she told me she was and I grabbed her keys from her. >> Well, I just I'm trying to understand. She came here and met you inside the bar. Correct. >> Yes. About him. Let's talk about what he >> At what point did she tell you that the kid was in the car right away? >> I came out here right before you came out. >> I came out with the keys. Yeah. Why? grabbed her keys and came out here to check on her. >> Check on who? >> Her daughter. >> How did you know the daughter was in the car? >> She told me when I put >> when you came outside. >> I told my daughter, but still I was worried. So I came out here to check. >> And then after you checked on your I saw you guys here. >> I'm to understand that >> the man was upset claiming it was the mother's fault, but he was eventually taken into custody. >> It's not your biological child. You guys are dating. >> Dating. Okay. How long you guys been together? >> 6 months. >> 6 months. And her kid calls me. >> What's the deal? It's his father. the kiss. >> He the out of her. >> So, lack of better terms, like you're the child's father. You're the father figure. Okay. What time did you get to the bar? >> Listen, I got off for work at at 2:00 today. I was at surfing and I came here at 5:30. >> The fact she wouldn't go home. >> No, no, no. Initially that caused her to come here. >> I told her to go home and meet me at the house cuz she was with her. >> Where was she today that she wasn't home? >> I took her to the Orlando Science Center. >> Okay. Okay. >> And I said, "When you get done, we'll meet at the house." So, I got off early today. Mhm. >> I work like 70 hours a week. I worked in town. I do uh vinyl installation, like car vehicle wraps. I worked in town at Canal Street today, which is very rare. I don't ever work in town. >> My boss said, "You're done for the day cuz I don't want you to come to Orlando." I decided to drink. So, I started drinking at Surf. I wasn't drunk. I left and came here. Ever since then, I am drunk right now. I was not planning on leaving here and driving. >> And you think she got here about an hour and a half ago? >> Yes. >> Okay. And sounds like the conversation. >> I thought she took I thought she took her home to her parents. She normally does take her to her parents house >> in Port and I said, "Give me your keys. I'm going to go and check on her." And that's when I saw this lady right here with the door open. I have not been outside of this place. >> The mother who initially left the child alone in the car now reacted strongly behind the police car when separated from the child. >> What's that? >> In a second. >> Excuse me. >> Yes, ma'am. My phone that's sitting here. >> Yes, ma'am. I have your phone. It's this right here. Right. >> Yes. And the keys that are probably on the floor. >> No, these are my keys. Uh, I can grab your keys. Yeah. Give me a second. >> Can you My baby. My baby. My baby. My baby. My baby. I just want to see my baby. I never wanted to do this. We just want to be snuggled in bed together. Can I see my child? >> You will not kick in the back of my car. >> I just want to >> I promise she's in much better hands now. Okay. So, hang tight. Bear with us. Do not kick and scream. That's not really going to do us any good right now. >> Hang tight and I'll be right back. >> Can I ask you something? No. It's my baby. Tensions rose as the couple, once in the police car, began confronting each other and blaming one another, leading to a heated argument. >> That's my baby. >> Oh, this is not >> 11. I copy. >> Shut the [ __ ] up. >> To leave. I told you we needed toing leave. Okay, >> I'm getting childlike charges. >> Yeah, me too. >> Cuz you >> Please stop. We're [ __ ] this together. I asked >> I've been hanging out here by myself. You brought this on me. You brought this on me. >> I wanted >> I didn't do nothing. I'm wrong. Now I have child neglect charges on me. >> Josh, I'm in. >> I have child neglect charges on me. >> And I have a child. >> I told you what the I told you to go home. >> I'm asking. >> I told you to go to home. >> Please stop. >> I told you to go home. >> Please stop. >> I told you to go home and you didn't go home. No. Hiccups. Why am I in handcuffs? >> Why are you freaking out on me? >> I told you to go home. Shut up, Josh. I under I know. I just wanted us to be at home together. I told you that. >> I told you to go home. >> You're right. I didn't because you're here. >> I know. I know. She's going to get taken away from me. >> I told you to go home. >> I know. I know. I don't want to be like this. >> It's over. It's done. Your parents are going to hate me forever now. >> No. We just do nothing. I didn't do nothing wrong. I just been hanging out here, man. >> Can you just please just give me a kiss? >> A kid. >> I need I need something. We're going to both >> My charges are going to get dropped. I didn't do >> But how the f What? How the did this happen? She was sleeping. >> It doesn't matter. You brought her here. I told you to go home. >> You're right. But I just didn't want to leave you. >> Now look at us. Now look at Now look what's happening. because you decided that all of this stuff you didn't listen to me. I don't care. You didn't listen to me. You should have went home and everything would have been fine. I just been hanging out here by myself. >> I'm not mad at you, Josh. I just literally wanted to be with you. >> Now I'm in handcuffs for child. Why? Because my [ __ ] name is on your car. Because my name is registered to your vehicle when she said that's why I'm in handcuffs right now. >> I'm sorry. Please don't leave me through this. >> Please not because now I got to go on a website over my child. >> Both the mother and her boyfriend faced faced thirdderee child charges. Under Florida law, they could face up to 5 years in prison or probation and fines up to $5,000. Nothing is more important than a child's safety. Before leaving, make sure they are properly cared for and never leave them in a car, even for a few minutes. If in Florida it was a car in the cold, in Palm Coast it was a risky home, in both cases show one thing. Children's safety must never be taken lightly. Right by the pile of clothes there was in the in the living room. >> On September 27th, 2024, Palm Coast Police received a report of a 2-year-old wandering unsupervised on the street. The child climbed onto a stranger's car and entered an open garage. Officers quickly reached the house and questioned the father of two of the five children. Hello, Deputy Dorsy. Are you the only adult here? >> No. >> There's another adult here. Yes, sir. >> Where are they at? >> Uh, he's back in his room with my uh son right now. >> Who is he to you? >> Who is like who was a relationship? Roommate. How many kids live here? >> There's five here. >> Are they all your kids or Okay. How old are they? >> We go from two all the way up to uh 16. >> Two to 16. >> 2 4 uh 8 14 or 15 and 16. >> Okay. Where's the uh like the mother of the kids at? Uh, work right now. >> Work. Are we pushing us here, too? >> Yes. >> Okay. We see all the kids. >> Yeah, we can see all the kids. >> You're You're the stepdad. >> I'm stepdad to all at least. >> All right. So, as far as technicalities go, I'm stepdad to three out of the five. Dad completely blood by two of the five. But I have names and claim on all but one. >> Okay. >> I have names and claims on all the >> exactly. They're all related to you. Three of them are separate. two technically >> two step children. >> So three would technically be step children. I don't have my last name. So I'm on the birth certificate >> and where their birth fathers at the ether >> and we had better chance of getting that info off a moment. >> I was just curious. I don't even know if she does. >> So how did it go about that we end up here because of the child >> attended walking up to random car trying to get in. >> Me having a garage door open trying to air out my garage. He likes to go out there, like I said, to this gentleman cuz I usually hang out either there or my back porch to smoke my >> Where were you when he walked out? >> When he walked out initially, I was probably in the room with uncle cuz we were in the back. >> How were you alerted? How were you alerted to him being outside? >> I came out, looked, didn't find him in the bed, came out here, looked right after it. >> How long did it take before you found him? >> Not even 5 minutes. >> Not even 5 minutes. I miss if 5 minutes is a long time for anybody to be out. me me in general when I went to go see him not on that like 2 minutes or so give or take from the there to out here it's like the first place I checked where was he when he came out here >> walking his way from like right here >> so I mean I don't doubt that he went out there but he the argu was definitely not yeah he opened the garage door he attempted to get into a stranger's car >> stranger's car that's what we got called >> they they called about a 2-year-old trying to get in their vehicle so had that not been a concerned citizen had been some pedal up the Yeah. >> So with that kid >> where does he where was he napping at that you said he was you say he was napping >> he was napping in my room originally >> that on the right >> up on the bed. >> Does he have a like a a crib or anything or >> No, no crib. >> They said the garage door is not child sidewalk. >> No, the garage door is not. But apparently I'm getting ready to install the motion monitor I got out here. So inside the house they saw an unsafe environment for young children. >> I'm asking are there any kids in the house? >> My roommate still has his. Then there would be his. >> Does he keep it locked up in a way or >> Yeah, it I don't I don't even know where the heck the guy keeps the thing in. Does he have a safe? >> Not sure. >> He's got um the rifle case, I guess. Worst case scenario if you don't have anything else. >> Or is it is it right there? >> Yeah. >> Is it locked or on it? >> Not right now. No. >> You mind if we talk to your roommate? >> Yep. >> Wesley Police Department. Can I help you? >> Hi, this is the non-emergency number, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. Just want to make sure have a welfare check done. I've never called this in before, so I don't quite know. Okay. Who are we doing it on? >> Um students. Uh at the school that I work at, a 10-year-old in the house and two sevenyear-olds. Um like there are three teachers. All three of us got a different story, but basically we think they are home alone. Um the principal had sent letters, reached out there to CPS today or JFS, I'm sorry. Um that was documented by our counselor. Um but thinking that my student, her sisters are home alone. While mother is out of state, >> go home. >> I know. >> The investigation continued as police took a statement from a man living there, gradually uncovering the facts. >> Where were you at when Mr. Eric got out earlier? >> When did he get out? >> Huh? When did he get out? >> How long have you been home? >> I've been home. >> What time is it? >> It's uh 7:23. I've been home by like 600. So since 6:00 probably about an hour and a half in. So just been back in my room chilling. Okay. How often are you guys cleaning up the house? >> It gets cleaned and then it gets trashed. But I've done my fair. >> Well, I'm asking not not you specifically, but how often is the house cleaned up? I I cuz looking at this house hasn't been cleaned up in at least 2 or 3 days at being generous. >> Being generous. Um, usually you get to that point, but it was supposed to be to my knowledge cuz I was not supposed to be home with paperwork. But >> I understand it's not your responsibility. I it's like it gets 2 to 3 days. >> Every 2 to 3 days it's cleaned up. >> Yeah. It it gets picked up but usually it's easier. >> Who's is it the dog and cat that belongs to Mr. Carter? >> Or is it your dog and cat? >> No, no, no, no. The cat is the girls. The dogs is his. >> Okay. And there's fecal matter and scattered about the house and that's cleaned up every 2 or 3 days. >> Usually when we see that will be picked up. So if there was any done today that's should have been done today but as soon as I see them I will pick it up and I walk through walk through the house because I don't like how long you stay here uh with them gone I think 2 years now 2 years I understand none of these kids are yours right outside looking in obviously then this is not your responsibility you're not the parent outside look looking in how would you describe the living conditions here if you would have just walked into this house just like we did never and never having been here before. Seen urine, feal matter, roaches, food on the ground, oils, weird smells, kids with cavities, kids wondering about. How would I describe those living conditions as a reasonable prudent person? Not too well, right? Why are the kids living in these conditions? If I had a straight answer to why dynamic, I would. But I don't. I can see parents that don't get that that don't get along. A flip is kind of a tension. Do they not get along? Not as of lately? No. >> But they still share a room and share a benefit for you guys. Yeah. >> Are you and you're in there? >> Are they married? >> No, you're not married. She works out of the pair. She works the most. He's one homeless. What does he do for work? She is a maintenance guy for McDonald's, but she is a department manager and now she is being promoted >> at McDonald's. >> Yes. But she is across town versus he is here. >> Okay. >> He has some more days off. >> He has what? >> He has more days off and is home. >> Did he work today? >> No. So, what you're saying is it's usually on him to take care of the kids, watch them, feed them, that kind of stuff. More so than her. Okay. How often do you come out of the room and see just dog and piss and all that everywhere all over the house? cuz I saw at least four or five spots where it really happens constantly and multiple spots where they more than one. So the spots that I general out to I I don't general out my space that much anymore because they're aggressive or I don't know it it seems to have a dislike. So sometimes it's okay but then most days she's just Yeah. >> In the father's view such an unsafe environment was just a bit dirty. But for young children, the risks could be serious. All >> right. So, same thing. We asked him, you know, obviously, I mean, I've been here a few times, never gone in the house or anything like that. But outside looking in, having never been here before, if this were you coming to this house for the first time, you know, having seen feal matter in I'm not done talking. Feel matter, roaches, discarded food on the on the ground, garbage, all these inanimate objects that are could be hurtful, odors, and oils and all this stuff. outside looking in. How would you describe those living conditions >> right now? I'm looking a little dirty. >> A little dirty. A little dirty is you spilled some coffee on the rug. That's more than a little dirty. >> You opened up that door. Flies literally came out of that laundry room door. >> It's an opinionated thing as far as that would go. What you would consider dirty, what you wouldn't consider. >> What would you consider of feal matter? >> I get the fecal matter and I get I get the piss. As far as that goes, as far as that go, that laundry room has been closed since my uh laundry stuff's been >> be that as it may, the bathroom, the master bedroom. Would you say the kids sleep and you sleep with your uh girlfriend or there's feal matter in the closet there, too? >> There's feal matter in hers that hasn't been cleaned up yet today. >> And there's no doors on that feal matter in the open living room area where the kids would wander around and be around. >> Playroom. That's the ones from today that just haven't been cleaned up yet. >> Why do they not go outside? >> The dog does go outside. It's usually those are the piles that end up uh prior to waking up. The the point being >> waking up for 7:30 in the morning. >> Yes. >> Potentially dangerous items were accessible to the children highlighting the importance of maintaining a safe environment. >> Did you work today? >> No, I told you didn't work today. I had a bunch of running around to do for things. >> So the point being if it's in one room, maybe one little plop, whatever. We go to house all the time. We understand dogs can be dogs, right? But we see feal matter at several different stages of decomposition throughout the residence, which is disgusting. We see flies all about the residence. I walk in the house, as soon as I walk in, I'm smack in the face by odors I can't describe. I smell a lot of things every day in law enforcement. That's one of the worst smelling things I've ever smelled walking into a house. I'm telling you, from my training experience in law enforcement, and I smell bodies, that comes pretty close to a body. I'm not kidding. A little dirty is a I think an understatement here. And then you have you have objects all about the floor that could be to children. Which objects? You have toys and ladders and tools. You have wet spots that can be slipped on. I'm slipping and sliding on with boots walking around the house. >> Sitting on the counter is on the counter. >> Yes. >> I saw a large pusher sitting right there on the counter amongst all the other. >> Additionally, police explained to the father the potential dangers the child could face when left unsupervised. >> Should have been Additionally, again, I got to I got to drive this home. Had this child walked up to some pedophile, they would have taken that child and you would have not known for five at least 5 minutes like you said. How far can you drive on Belair in 5 minutes to 95 and he's out of the county? He's gone forever. We we won't know. We know nothing. I imagine nobody here has cameras or ring cameras. We don't we don't have a time frame of when he when he's missing. >> And also he can't swim and I don't know about this area, but there's plenty of lakes and body of water all over Palm Coast. Okay. All over the this this section. Said he would have wandered around. No one would have been outside. He went down to a backyard and slipped in a found in a pool or found a body of water. He can't swim. It happens cuz kids for some reason kids are always back to the water >> and they always jump in there and >> it always ends up one way and 5 minutes of not realizing at most 5 minutes. I'm not remember it was whether 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, whatever it is 5 minute thing cuz I understand 5 minutes is a long time but I don't know how long he was. >> We're trying to work on figuring that out but still even 30 seconds, bro. >> Oh, I know. I'm I'm very serious as far as the like them getting out of the house thing. That's why we have the dual child lock thing for that door because that door was the issue. But like I said, this one I usually have closed. So out in the garage isn't like as much of a >> Okay. And he's usually hanging around in here, I guess. >> Yeah, that's why I said that. You look around here. The point of them coming out into the garage isn't so much the thing for me cuz when this thing's closed, >> look around your garage. Is this somewhere you want a 2-year-old to be gallivanting? Oh, >> no. Did they touch my tools and everything gosh darn else? >> A female delivery worker recounted what had happened earlier, providing further key evidence. >> Hello. How are you? >> I'm sorry to body. I know you're out making money or whatever the case may be. You just walk me through uh what happened while you called that house right there. As soon as I open my door, the baby was trying to open my door. >> Where was that driveway across the street? I was just like after I opened my door, I was like, "Where did you come from?" family office. He doesn't speak any at all yet. She's like, "Where's home?" I said, "You better go home." And he started walking right to the garage. So, I followed him there and I just said something that like, "Hello." Like, no one was in there. I went to finish the delivery across the street and asked them about it and he just kind of seemed like they didn't want to get involved type deal. So, that's kind of weird. They didn't know anything about I was like, "Are your parents home at all?" They're like, "I walked back out. He was back across the street already." So, I walked him back two more times before >> he walked he walked back over >> two times. So for the previous small just like I felt bad leaving but I just couldn't stay and I don't know just felt >> How long roughly would you say that you were >> I was here at least 10 minutes 10 minutes yeah with him unsupervised. >> You were here with 10 minutes unsupervised. Okay. >> And did anybody come out claiming him at any point? >> No one. >> And uh can you describe the child? >> I have a video. >> You have a video. She's saying she was out with the child for 10 minutes. 10 minutes. The child was kept following her back and forth to that house cuz she lived in >> my car. >> I don't live around here. >> And that's him walking back to the garage. >> I was following him. But that's the all the video I got. I wish I got him at the door at my door and everything, but your car >> in my drive. >> This right here. >> You just know that you he walked you back to his house. >> He walked me back to the house. He didn't say anything to me like words cuz he didn't speak. The mother returned home and could not avoid responsibility for creating an unsuitable living environment for the children. >> A random two-year-old just walking in the middle of the street. So, we come here, make contact. That's your husband. Correct. >> No. >> Father. Father of kids. >> He's the father of the He's the father of the kids. >> Okay. >> We are not together. I just No, we're not together. We just try to make ends meet for the sake. somehow whatever he you know my partners get here they talk to him and they're like hey you know we got this report of the child being out walking the street you mind if we come in and just make sure the kids are okay and make sure you know everything's all right and he says yes they go inside you live here you know how these living conditions are deplorable they're not okay for any child any adult to live in there's no AC for a week there's been we've been trying to work on it and we've been talking to and everything like that >> is not the the biggest thing but the on the door and the food everywhere. That is is not okay. I understand you work all the time, but you can't just leave your kids in a house that's this deplorable. You have to make sure that you maintain a safe household for the children as well. >> And they do. >> No, that is not a safe and secure household. Having feces on the floor, having on the floor, I mean, just food everywhere. It's completely like, have you been inside there lately? cuz I just walked through there after it was cleaned up and it's still really bad cuz when the father of the children realized that it's now not just a welfare check like this is not okay. He had the children start to pick up but even after them picking up it's still disgusting. It's not okay. >> And I understand what you're saying. I was helping them pick up a little bit today before I had to leave for work. >> Right. There's literally I don't know if it's cat or dog in the laundry room right by the pile of clothes. There was in the living room. >> There's everywhere. It's It's not yesterday. >> During the investigation, the parents offered various explanations for the children's care conditions. >> How old was your oldest kid? >> 16. >> Okay. And your youngest is >> two. >> And you have five of them? >> Yes. >> Do you know how to raise children? You know that as you're getting older, they get into certain things like open doors, things like that? >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you have a child lock on your front door? >> Yes, I do. >> You have child lock on the rear slider? >> I'm sorry. You get child locks for those? Yeah. >> You have child lock on this door right here for the garage. >> I was going to say we use that >> is a store child lock. This garage door. >> Okay. >> Because usually the garage get taken out to use the bathroom. >> Yes. I let them out anytime I'm home. I swear you. >> When you left this morning, was there any dog anywhere in the house? >> Nowhere. >> No. >> So why is there decaying in your laundry room? Does the washer and dryer work? >> No, it does not. >> Okay. How do you guys >> We take it to the laundry mat over here. >> Okay. There's multiple piles of fees in that in that room. What about the open living room playroom area? >> The playroom. >> That big open space right you walk in the front door. >> The playroom. >> Yeah. >> There wasn't anything there. >> Well, when I show there's multiple piles. There's on the floor and a large oil stain that he said has been there for a while. What's with the oil stain? There's an oil sitting on the floor. There's water. There's >> I didn't know that there was oil on the floor. >> But you live there, correct? >> Yes, I do live here. But I'm telling you, I didn't know that there was oil on the floor. >> When was your last day off work? I work a lot, so I know I'm sure you work a lot. >> Wednesday. >> Wednesday. Okay. Do you and him share a bedroom? >> Subway. >> Okay. Who else sleeps in the bedroom with you, too? >> Me and my three Me, him, and the three youngest. >> The three youngest. Okay. That closet without a door on it. Whose closet is that? >> That's mine. >> Okay. What about theies on the floor in that closet? >> And I've been cleaning that out just about getting here every day. No, I did not touch it today before you asked. >> And that's dogies. So when you pick up the fees, do you not clean the floor as well? >> No, I do clean the floor. >> Okay. So I can see a lot of spots where you might have picked up, but >> and I've mopped it. And >> which what's the primary bathroom for the kids? >> Everybody pretty much uses that one, but they both get used. >> Okay. The conditions of that bathroom between the two bedrooms is ported. There's clothes on the floor. I don't know. There's a shower cart in there. The toilet's gross. There's stuff everywhere. Just Is that not Whose clean that? >> My two older two cuz that's their bathroom. And then we walked inside. The entire countertop, every single inch of counter top was filled with dirty dishes. There were knives left unattended. Taco Bell everywhere. >> Just ordered Taco Bell tonight. Did you guys not? I was at work at this point. >> It's not the left. >> So again, like we understand you're the main bread winner. You work all the time. >> But apparently a lot of things are going to be >> right. as a parent like you still have that responsibility to make sure that whoever is left in control gets a handle. >> After all evidence was gathered, the father also faced legal consequences. This was his second time being faced legal action for safety concerns for the child. The first occurring in February 2020. >> Sir, can I ask for what? >> Don't stop tensing. Stop tensing. >> Okay. I want to know for what? Can I get your explanation? >> Nope. Why? >> You just do crazy things just like you just did. trying to do crazy things. >> You're being detained >> for 12 minutes. >> So, right now we have a child in attendance for several minutes. Okay. At which point you were completely unaware that that person at risk. You know, you have five children so you know how children work. You're lucky because one, she's a nice person. Could have been a pedophile. Could have been some weirdo driving around cuz I've seen him. Or he could have just been wandering about 10 minutes by himself. Can't swim. Correct. >> No water by anybody. And >> does he have to come back here for my kids? That's not healthy for me. >> Can I ask what has caused the living arrangements for you guys to be living together when you're not in relationships? He's the primary breadwinner of the family. He doesn't work. He does work. He doesn't work as much as he did before. >> Are you guys financially dependent on each other? >> Sadly, and that's the reason he the only hard and all that, but >> I mean it's all that it comes down to for the most part. I lost him for like a matter of two couple seconds. I get that's all it takes, but it's not an easy thing to sit there and make sure you're doing everything for all of them all the time. >> The father, 39-year-old Carter Nicholas Robert, faced charges of safety concerns for the child without great bodily harm and non-violent obstruction. He was held in the county jail and released the next day on a $3,500 bond. A conditions unsuitable for young children not only affects health but also has long-term impacts on a child's mental well-being and development. Therefore, maintaining a clean and safe home is a responsibility parents cannot ignore. Florida, an ideal destination with beautiful scenery and mild weather, also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of lack of supervision. A car left in the cold, a hazardous home. Every moment of neglect can impact a child's life. Hopefully, this story is not just a warning, but also a motivation to raise awareness and protect the next generation. 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