Is she not here? >> I have a feeling he's not. >> Oh, you're saying he's not. >> Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn. >> What happened? >> Turn. Relax. Relax. >> I know what they deserve. >> I know exactly what I deserve. >> When adults become [music] overwhelmed with their own responsibilities, children are often left to adjust to circumstances they [music] never chose. >> She has a warrant from the Ocean County. I guess she got arrested in Tom's River. >> The boy seems to be in franic and crying. >> Look, she doesn't have anything. What you are about to see reminds us that a lack of attention, even without intent, can still lead to serious outcomes. >> This mother allowed familiar challenges to repeat simply because she needed rest after an extended period of exhaustion. >> Your kid was walking down 31. >> No. >> With no shoes on. Has this happened before? >> Yes. Officers received a report about a very young child around 2 to 3 years old without [music] shoes, moving near a busy roadway, and appearing distressed. They arrived promptly and found the [music] child wet. Their immediate focus was to make sure the child was protected while gathering details [music] from nearby witnesses. >> Hi, officer. Hi. We're the one who call. >> Oh, sweet goodness. Hey, buddy. >> There you go. >> How are you? Where you live, my man? [laughter] Okay. All right. We can do that. Buddy, where do you live? >> Maybe we live on the blanket. >> You live over here? What's your name? >> Oh, buddy. Buddy, what's your mommy's name? Do you live over here? >> Yeah. Over there? >> Oh, I know, buddy. I know. >> So, we caught him. >> Yeah. wondering over this water uh fence here. >> Okay. >> And he was he was like >> almost crying this. You got your driver's license on you, sir? >> Yes. >> What is this officer? >> I don't know yet. We'll figure it out. >> Maybe. >> Yeah. It's fine. I got a couple more officers coming on their way to help me. >> Okay, good. >> Where where'd you see him exactly? >> Well, right here. Right here. >> Right here. >> Right here. We were coming. >> We were headed down to the airport. >> Oh, I appreciate you guys stopping. >> He was all wet, too. Yeah, he's flying. >> He's walking barefoot, I believe. So, I have a feeling maybe he walked off from his apartment. >> Yeah, I know. And I think I have a feeling where >> And I think the parents are on the road. Yeah. >> No, unfortunately the mom's I have a sick feeling I know where this munchkin belongs. >> Can you write this down for me? He jumped right in my arms when I got here. What? >> Write that down for me. That's just a complaint. I can't do both. >> Did you get a phone number from >> I got nothing yet. When I walked through the window, he jumped in my arms. >> Okay, I'm going to see if I have a um >> Foley. I know the way the world works with ironicness and police work. This is I guarantee I have a sick feeling this is going to be the complaintants kid from the other earlier call. >> It's the complaintants child. >> When I knocked on the door, she's like, "Yeah, this guy's I reconnected with him after high school. He's been acting weird. Now he woke my kid up." >> We're going to go to the police and sort it all out. Let me see if I have a car seat. Just a minute. >> I mean, I kind of want to see if he can point me out to where he lives. He's He keeps pointing over here. Yeah, I'm assuming he does something. >> I mean, I hate to say it. I almost want to call this woman and be like, "Hey, Brooke, I just want to make sure you still have your kid." She had a child, a 2-year-old, she said was awake that he woke up, a boy. And ironically enough, now I have a boy walking in the same area. >> Let's get their information. Let's get him down to the police department. I'm not sure. >> Well, no, obviously. >> Turn him over to DCFS. I'll call him the police. >> They're not going to take him. Thank you. He like literally I rolled on the window and he put his arms out and jumped in my arms. God, I hope I'm wrong, dude. He crossed over in between these >> right here. >> Yeah. >> Like on the easement like by the >> He was He was walking along the side and I said >> on this side of >> Yeah. But we're headed south on on 31st >> and we're passing by. He says, "Hey, you see what I'm saying?" I talk to my wife. I say, "Yeah, the boy seems to be frantic and crying." I said, "Whoa, he's in his pajamas. You know, >> we're going to get him all." >> And so what happened is that Oh, he's got cross. He says, "Do something." So, I turned around really quick. >> You did good, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Yeah, I guess he's in. >> You got him, buddy. I promise. >> All right. >> I'm going to look for I might get a car seed. >> Are we okay now? >> Yeah, you're good, man. Thank you. >> Thank you. Sure. I'm just alcohol. >> Don't worry about it, bro. My job's dirty. I'm used to it. >> During the response, the team shared different perspectives while discussing [music] the most appropriate way to address the situation. >> Fully, I just have a gut feeling. Is your mom's name Brooke? Yeah. I hope your mom's not I hope I'm wrong. It's just so ironic that she told me when with that guy that she was that that she woke her son that she woke his son up. [music] >> But like did she know him? >> Yeah, they reconnected after they went to high school together. She just realized he was a drunk. >> Fully like he he needs a new diaper, too. >> Okay, I can't get that right this second. >> I know you need to calm down. >> I can run to Walgreens. >> I didn't say that. I was just making a statement. >> I absolutely guarantee he does. >> I can smell the pee on him. I'm going to go knock on that woman's door. >> Not yet. You're not, but yes. >> Why not? If she's right here, you don't like you take him. I can't go knock to confirm if that's the mom or not. >> Well, if you do though, I mean, you'd be ready. You're going to have to >> arrest her. >> Yeah. Well, no. >> We have to It' be so nice to have another hand like this. >> If you want to go to the That's fine. We'll go to the PD. >> Well, it' be nice. Going to be nice to see how long it takes her to, >> you know what I mean? You know what I mean? >> Come here and just hold. I know you're holding him. You got to hold that. >> I just don't want it to go back inside. >> Take a ride in the police car. We're going to sit down. Okay, little guy. What do you think? How's that? >> I know, buddy. I know. I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, this seat's not even >> the the the straps aren't up high enough for me to put him in it. >> I'll have you and Ross over there in just a second, but you may have to take him back out so I can fix it. See >> here, buddy? Yeah. Oh, he could open a sliding door. >> I think I have a sneaking suspicion. I know where he goes. >> You want to head over there? >> I don't know. I said I'm going to let Jill decide. >> I'll take him to the PD. I have Caitlyn. Why don't you and Roski go investigate? See if you can find the mom. Pack a bag for him. Take her into custody. Whatever it is. >> Well, if it's her, I'm going to look her up a child right off the b. >> Right. But before you bring her into the police department, try and get him like diapers and wipes and stuff cuz if he's going to have to go with DCFS, you know what I'm saying? You got >> Yes. I only heard of it with the truck. >> I got this. >> He knows where the child. >> I'm hoping I'm wrong. >> I'm hoping I'm wrong. See if you can figure out where the channel comes from. >> All right, buddy. You good? Take a ride. I I'll come see you in a little bit. >> I'll come see you in a little bit. All right, buddy. >> Oh, wait. >> All right. Just before you get off like you have to hook her up real fast and whatever, like just try and tell her about the bag again. >> No, just try and talk to her. Like >> I know how to do my job. >> I know. I'm being very micromanagy today. I understand you're mad at Ryan, but you're taking it out on me and it's getting frustrating. I know how to do this. And if you want to go do it, you can go do it. Now I'm going to take the child to the princess. You >> want me to go do this or not? >> I said yes. >> Okay, I will go take care of it. >> The mother was located shortly after, having just woken up and clearly [music] worn down after a difficult night. She acknowledged having a small amount of a beverage earlier and explained [music] that juggling multiple pressures from unexpected problems to caring for her child contributed to what happened. I was looking for beside her doors, but I'm like, I don't know. >> I'm hoping I'm wrong. I'm hoping that she's like, really? You think I'm that better? Here we go. See, >> this is going to sound crazy, Brooke. There's no knock on you. How old you kid? >> He just turned three. >> What's he wearing? >> Is he not here? Uh, >> I have a feeling he's not. >> Oh, you're saying he's not. >> Go. I don't know. Go. Is he wearing blue stripe pajamas? >> Yes. I'm sorry. I fell back asleep. I've been up since 5:00 in the morning. >> How much you have to drink last night? >> Can we come in? >> Yeah, you can come in. >> Bruce, come on. >> Oh my god. Stop. Don't tell me this is true. Where is he? >> I have him. >> I have a panic attack right How much did you have to drink last night, Brooke? >> I had one beer. >> One beer all night? >> Yes. I'm sick. I'm getting over a cold. I'm sorry. I'm about to have a panic attack right now. Oh god. He got over his gate. I was literally sleeping. I didn't go to bed till like 5:00 in the morning. >> Okay. So, he was in here. >> Yes. In here. And he >> When I was here when I was here earlier, you said he was awake and I said, "Go pay attention to your child." >> Yes. And then he fell back to sleep. I promise you he fell back to sleep. Oh my god. >> How much alcohol do you think's in your system right now? You need to be honest with me now. I don't think I don't think you only had one beer. He He was walking around with a bottle of tequila. >> This is 1850. >> Yeah. 1850 or 208. >> I probably had a shot and a beer. I can do a breathalyzer. >> Your kid was walking down 31. >> No. >> With no shoes on. >> Can I call my mom? >> Not right now. >> I don't know how he keeps getting >> Has this happened before? Yes. Yes. He's gotten like out the door before. I literally bought something right here. >> What's his name? >> Crew. >> Crew. >> Yeah. I bought this that goes over the door. >> Okay. And why isn't it on there? >> It doesn't fit. It doesn't fit. And I mean, you can see I've tried putting it on a million times and now I have to order a new one. Are you willing to take a breathalyzer? I want to see where you're at alcohol-wise. >> Yes. >> 21 from 31. Can you grab me a PBT and meet me up here, please? Cuz I I don't know what to do at this point. Like, I'm going to be honest. Like, this is it's >> I cannot believe this. I was up all night [clears throat] putting over a cold. >> I know. You were up all night with a guy you had over. >> Yes. And I don't ever want to see that guy again. And I >> So, here's here's how outside perception looks. You had to call 911 this morning. What time was that? About 5. Yeah. At 5:00 in the morning >> because a drunk guy that you were partying with, you hooked back up from high school was over and you no longer wanted to party with him. When I was here earlier, your mascara was all running. You looked clearly disheveled. You look clearly You look clearly intoxicated. And now 2 hours later after you told me your child was awake. Instead of going to take care of him, it appears to me you went and passed out. So I'm saying >> the breathalyzer is going to help you a lot cuz if you're going to come back low, that's going to help your case. >> Okay, that's fine. I'll do a breathalyzer. So, I have an officer coming with an important breath test to see where you're at. But this looks bad. Do you at least agree with that? >> Yeah, I totally agree. Yes. >> All right. At the very least, can you do me a favor? Can you Cuz your child's at the police department. I don't know how long he's going to stay there cuz I'm going to call DCFS. >> No. >> I have to. I'm required to. Can you pack your child a bag cuz he needs a diaper change? >> Yes. Can I call my mom also? >> Not right now. No. I haven't decided if I'm going to arrest you or not yet. >> Why would I get arrested? >> Childment? >> I know, but I He climbed over the gate. that I was sleeping. I understand that and that would be fine if we didn't have the prior contact with you. The prior contact with you does not help. >> I was here 2 hours prior. >> Yes. >> When you clearly appeared intoxicated, kicking your intoxicated >> hookup out cuz he was walking around with a bottle of tequila. You told me then the child was awake. >> I told you go tend to your child. >> You did. >> And you went back to sleep. >> Well, he also went back to sleep. I put my son back to sleep also. >> He was asleep. I put him back to sleep, put him back in bed, and then I went into my room and I went to bed. >> And he was awake by the guy not wanting to leave. >> Yes, that's what he was up for at like I don't know, it probably started like 1:00 in the morning. He was yelling all around my house and everything. I tried getting him out of here multiple times. I called his sister multiple multiple times. I left her messages. She wouldn't answer. And you know, I called you guys. You guys got him out of here. I had my son put him back in his bed and everything. I turned the TV on for him so he can just lay down, relax, and then I went to bed. >> Was he sleeping when you went to went to bed? >> Yeah, he was tired. >> He was tired. I had no See, now I've asked you, was he asleep or did you just lay him down in front of the TV and go lay down? Did you lay with your child long enough? >> I laid with him for a couple minutes and he stayed laying down, but he didn't. >> But he was not asleep. No. >> So, you went to sleep leaving your child laying in his bed watching TV? >> Yes. His gate up and everything. My door was open and I fell back asleep and I literally just woke up now hearing the buzzer go off and I come running out here. >> I want to make a phone call quick. >> Yeah, I'll be right back. >> Support agencies were contacted to put precautionary steps in place and ensure the proper process was followed. >> And then do they take him? >> I don't know. I don't know what they're going to do. I have to let I'll fill them in with what we have. Well, I mean, whenever DCFS is involved in something, they take the people's kid. >> Not always. Not always. >> I mean, you think that they'll get me my son back today? >> I don't know, bro. I don't want to tell you one answer. It's going to be something else. [snorts] >> You called DCFS. You said I do get to see my son. >> Yeah, I'd imagine. Well, what I'm going to hope to do is then I'm going to after I call DCFS, I'm going to come back. I'll take you out of the cell. I'll book you [snorts] and then I'll give you all your paperwork to release you. Then I'll take you up to the lobby and I'll let you sit with your munchkin. >> Okay. >> Until we figure out what's going on, right? >> Okay. Until like DCFS decides what they want to do. >> Cuz they're going to want some kind of safety plan into effect. [snorts] >> Okay. I mean, what do they think that like I'm a bad mom or something? >> Look, you're not a bad mom. You bad make bad decisions. One bad decision does not make you a bad mom. >> I know. I never make bad decisions. I never do. Like I'm a good person. I have a good job. I love my son. And it's just like crazy. Like you can like not watch your your kid for like [snorts] anything could happen within a minute too. >> Do you give a report to DCFS? >> Oh yeah. I got a Yeah, that's a report. >> He said my breathalyzer was completely zero. >> 3947. 3947. >> Yeah, you came back total zeros, which is good. >> Yeah. I don't ever lie. You know, I only had I had a beer and a shot last night, literally like early in the night. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> And then dealt with a crazy person for hours after that. And I've [snorts] never even called the police. And like I should have called the police. I should have called you guys like way earlier. >> Yeah. >> The mother was charged [music] with childment under Illinois law. A conviction may carry one to three years in prison. Just a brief lapse in attention can allow a young child to wander away from a safe space. What feels routine to adults [music] can quietly become the line between security and uncertainty. >> He zoom fast. He grabbed me by the front first, then he pulled me backwards. >> This is not just a story about a dangerous encounter, but a stark warning about the risks children [music] face every day. August 2025, North Miami police received a call from an 11-year-old student who said she felt uncomfortable while walking [music] home after school. She had noticed an unfamiliar car near her campus, which made her uneasy. As she entered her apartment area, an adult suddenly approached her and tried to guide her toward the vehicle, creating immediate concern and triggering a careful review of events. >> Careful. Is it complaining a v a victim? Negative complaint. See if the complaining can come open the door. Just advised that we'll be on the east side of the development. >> Did you call police? >> You call the police? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All the way down there. You call >> is the person that almost got abducted. Is she here? >> Yeah. >> The victim. >> What happened to you? Did anybody see it? >> Okay. What happened? >> I was sitting down and I saw her walking in. So natural in here. No, she's walking from out there. So natural instinct to watch her walking. I look over the balcony to see her walking and then I saw this car coming fast. So when they come in, I see him run to the gate. So in my mind, I'm thinking, "Oh, he lives here. He knows something." So that's why he's trying to then I saw him grab her and started pulling her backwards to the car and he is trying to attempt to put her in to the front of the car, but then >> she's fighting. She's Did you go down to help her? >> No. I >> Could you identify the guy if you saw him? You saw his face? >> Yeah. >> How old are you? >> I'm 11. 11. I'm going to say there's going to be enough juven. >> Are you mom? Who's mom? Your mom. Do you have your ID on you? >> Do have you recognized him? Do you have you seen him before? No. Does he live here? >> Never seen the car down here. >> Do you remember what year? >> No. The tag. >> The tire. The tag. The tag. License plate. I knew. No. >> What about the guy? She told >> very skinny and tattoos. His hair has a twist and he had a blue hat. Do you recognize him? Like you can like like say how? >> No. Where what do you have to do >> on his hands? >> Left, right. >> Okay. On the back. He was turning this way to come in. So this >> you right. >> Yeah. >> How did he grab you? >> So I was >> You were just walking to this. Okay. At what point did he grab you? Like were you already in front of here or were you out there? >> In front of the gate. >> So did he get here first or did she get here first? >> He got here first. >> Okay. So he followed her. So you got here first? >> Yeah. And at what point did he touch you? Did you already grab open the gate or >> I was trying to. So he grabbed me from the front. He grabbed me from my leg kind of push me back forward. >> So he was in front of you. He got in front of you. That's the first time he he got you. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Want to get mom's info? >> You have the 3.13940 Northwest 185. >> Cold incription. You have >> you know the description. >> I think so. was a white t-shirt, a blue shorts, and then Yeah, that's that's >> blue shorts. >> Yeah. And he had a blue hat on. >> Blue hat. Okay. Uh when he left, do you know which direction he went? He went up a >> he went that way. >> Yeah, >> that's one picture. >> Huh? >> He went that way. >> That way. And >> remember you can you ask if you went side or side. >> How long ago was that? >> It's 5:14. >> When did you hear? >> Uh we heard her screaming 4:30. You just heard her. >> The child was spoken with privately. She clearly explained what she experienced and how her quick reaction helped in the situation. Come >> over here. I'm going to talk to you for a second. Okay. So, >> play by play by play. Okay. Whatever you just told me, tell me again without anybody else being here so I can tell the story cuz I'm going to write the report. Okay. >> So, I was walking from from here on from the sidewalk. >> Yeah. I'm going to put closest up to us. >> Yeah. Here. It's turning here to the side. >> You're walking this way? >> Yeah. And then I turn around. I see the car parked from the by the over there where she was standing at. I saw the car. >> The car when you saw it, it was parked or was driving? >> It was parked. >> Where was it parked at? It was it parked by the tree there in front of the complex. Um >> and I was trying to open the gate and then he zoom fast. He grabbed me by the front first then he pulled me backwards to like when he grabbed you at the front. Was he in front of you or was he behind you? >> Behind. He was behind me. >> So look, do it to me. I'm going to go open the gate. My bag. >> So he wrapped his own one of my there. I was trying to like take off my book so I could run over. But he like as I was trying to take get out take off my football. He wrapped his piece around me tight and then he tried to push me from the driver's seat and I was as I wasing. >> Was there anybody in the car? >> No. >> He tried to put you in the driver's side? >> Yeah. >> So he he actually Was your backpack on at that point or did you take it off? >> My backpack was >> Okay. So he pulled you into where the passenger seat would be? >> No. No. The driver's seat. The driver's seat. >> Yeah. Yeah. Like the car. >> Oh, so in the back. So in the back of the driver seat. >> No, like in the front like in the driver's seat. Like he's the car this way. >> Into the driver's seat. >> Yeah. And as I yell I think he saw someone and then he just let me go. >> And you never saw this guy before? >> And then he No, I never saw him. I don't know him. I don't. So you at one point you were sitting in the car >> like sort of and then as I was filming he just let me go somehow. I don't know. >> So were you laying in his car at all? >> I am like this. I was like this. >> So he grabbed you from behind, right? And he kind of pushed you in there like that pushing and yelling trying to take my back. >> So he tries putting you in he grabs you like this, right? And then he puts you in like like that. So you would be at this point when he grabs you like this your back is to him, right? front. I was like, can you try like slowly down my backpack that way? So, his driver was on the side before I came on to the house. I saw her somewhere like car window was open. >> Yeah. And then I didn't want to like look so >> to make it obvious and just go and stuff. >> But you got like a weird feeling, right? >> Yeah. And stuff. So I start walking away. I didn't see him. As I was walking a little fast, I turned around to see what he was talking and I seen the car park. >> So at what point did he drive away? >> I don't know. I >> like what point did he let go of you? Is it Did he notice someone? >> I think he noticed >> and then he just ran out >> and then he just ran to his car and just ran past I guess. And I just can't open the door cuz you know they're trying to like >> So you were in the car at some point >> with the door closed? >> No, the door was never open. >> So the door never closed. But you were screaming. >> Yeah. You didn't see the guy, right? >> So then at that point, I think you just came running off. How'd you open the gate? The gate was >> All right. I'll be right back. Let me go see. Because the situation happened close by, nearby security recordings became essential in following up on details. There's a black male 57 has a tattoo on his left arm. >> Does anybody here speak English? >> Uh, what happened? >> Uh, do you can you understand me? >> Yeah, >> a little bit. >> Uh-huh. >> Uh, do your cameras work? >> No, >> they don't work. >> No. >> Okay, >> over there. >> Okay, baby. >> Thank you. Do you know how tall you are? You know how tall you are? >> How much do you wear? >> How much do you know? >> 53. Um was going to be a juvenile. She was walking into her complex of school. She noticed this car a little weird that was parked facing north going into her. Um, so she kind of walked started walking a little faster and then the car kind of her to her apartment complex. Um, the neighbor um ended up well she was on the balcony and she heard like screaming but until that point the girl goes and opens the curving hot buttons gate cuz there's like a little gate that you had to open the door to get in. And this guy gets out of the car, pulls his car up, grabs her from behind, and basically drags her into his vehicle and drives her side front door. And she's screaming. At that point, she said that she saw someone else come out kind of she got out and he grabs her from behind. She He kind of places her in the vehicle, but not in the sturdy position. the door doesn't shut cuz she just um and at that point I think she says that he thinks that maybe someone heard her and screaming. She jumps out of the vehicle and rushes to the gate and at that point downstairs to get her >> just to verify it's you what what point did you start seeing things like did you see him drag her into the car you saw everything? Just confirm it. Hello. >> Okay. You have a template or no? >> Yeah, I'll have a template. I I'll get I'll get one. No problem. >> Subject black male 57 has a tattoo on his left arm. last seen wearing a blue hat, white shirt. He was last seen eastbound on the victim was an 11year-old. >> Video showed a light colored car passing the child shortly before the situation was resolved. The individual was later identified as Matthew Ducketier, 30, who was then contacted by authorities and faced formal proceedings. Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn. >> What happened? >> Turn. Relax. Relax. >> What happened? >> What happened? What happened? What happened? What happened? >> Got a detective need to talk to at the >> station. Matthew, right? You met, right? What did I do? >> That's my son. That's fine. That's okay. All right. No problem. After his arrest, he appeared in court, was appointed a public defender, and was ordered held without bond. Ducket Leier was already on probation until December 2029 for a prior aggravated case in which he received 4 years of community probation. In this new case, he faces a charge of attempted of a child under 13 and is being held at the Miami Day Jail pending a March 2026 court date. This story highlights the importance of staying alert to past behavioral patterns and of teaching young people awareness skills to help them navigate uncomfortable situations safely. >> What's the really big problem? >> It's a violation of a town ordinance to be pedalling here. Okay. You can't be panhandling. Okay. >> This situation began with a report about inappropriate activity in a public area, but soon took an unexpected turn when the mother's unresolved legal history surfaced. Officers arrived at the sidewalk after receiving reports about a woman with a child outside a store. They followed standard procedure, asking her to move away from the unsuitable location and provide identification. The matter became more complex when she was unable to present documents and shared unclear details. >> What's going on? >> Hello. >> How you doing? >> Good. >> You guys are all together. Can you get on the sidewalk with your kid? >> Yes, of course. >> Okay. Do you guys have ID? You can't you can't be begging here. You got to call. I need ID. Passport. >> Passport. Passport. I know. I I understand that you you understand. >> You 100% understand me. I need you guys IDs. They're here panhandling with the sign. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I need your ID. >> I don't have ID. >> Okay. Do you have a picture of your passport? >> I do have passport. >> I need your information. >> I need something with your name on it. >> I'll give you any. >> Okay. And if and if you're lying, you you can be you can be arrested if you lie about your information. >> I know. We're not going to lie. Sorry. He told me to leave and I need >> And I know you're understanding what I'm saying. Okay. >> What do you have? Do you have your passport in her bag? Does she have her? >> Yeah, she probably has it, right? Can you ask her my passport? >> What is she saying? >> She's going to write the name. >> Does she have anything on her person with her name? No, she doesn't. >> She doesn't have She doesn't. Look, she doesn't have anything. >> Okay. What's What's your name? >> Sorry. My name is Elisa. >> How do you spell your first name? >> E L L E L I S A C I U C I E C I E. >> What? >> How do you spell your last name? How do you say it? >> Chewy. >> Chewy. C I U C I E >> C I U C I E >> What's your middle name? >> What's your date of birth? >> How old are you? >> 19. >> You're 19. >> Where do you live? Where do you live? >> We live at motel every night. We get motel. >> Where do you live right now? Where do you get mail? >> Huh? >> Where do you get mail? >> Where do you get mail? >> What's mail? >> If you got mail, what's your address? Where do you live right now? What hotel are you staying at? I don't have because every night I get another hotel. We don't stay at the at >> So where are you staying right now? >> I don't staying anywhere right now. >> No, >> at night I'm going to go at a hotel and get a hotel. >> What does she What is she showing? Look, she has operation fees. Too much. Okay. Okay. What's What's her first name? >> Okay. How do you spell it? Who is she? >> B O >> Who is she to you? Who is she to you? >> She's my grandma. >> She's your grandma. So you should know her name. So what's her first name? >> I'm trying to tell you. >> Okay. So what's her first name? >> B O V. >> Can I >> B O B >> B O >> Can she ride it? >> I can ride it, sir. Never mind. >> It's not a problem. What's the really big problem? >> It's a violation of a town ordinance to be pedaling here. Okay. You can't be panhandling. Okay. >> I didn't know it's like this big problem. >> You get ticket for it. That's where you guys are going to get tickets. >> We're going to get tickets. >> Yes. >> But three police cards for some begging is like somebody murdered somebody. >> That's not the case at all. I know it's not the case at all, but three three police cars for some begging. It's not like a disaster. >> Auntie, >> I don't know where you think you're going. You're not You're not free to leave. Okay. >> Okay. Look, I didn't say to leave. >> Your first name is But Bakoa, >> please. She has an operation on her feet. She cannot stand. >> Okay. Can you Can you write her information cuz she can't? >> It's okay, but she cannot. >> Use this for balance. Hold on to the stroller. >> It's >> Hold on. >> Can you write it for me? It's >> that's the date of birth. >> What's her date of birth? >> First >> first. How old is she? >> She's or what year was she born in? >> 71. Sorry. >> Okay. Do you guys have a phone number? >> Yes. What's your phone number? >> What's your phone number? >> I don't know if it's if it's a good phone number. Is a phone that we sometimes she hold it with her. 714. >> You guys do you get mail anywhere? Do you guys get mail? >> No, I don't because every time it comes a night, we get like a hotel. We look for a cheap motor and we get a motel. >> Okay. Is her last name Lucret? >> Lucricia. >> Lucretia. >> T I a Lucia. >> Yeah. >> L U C R E T I A. >> Okay. You guys don't have the same last name. Are you married? >> Are you married? >> Okay. You No, you guys got to wait. Okay. A routine background check revealed the mother had an ongoing legal issue connected to a case in Tom's River, New Jersey, placing responders in a difficult position between formal duty and human understanding. >> Did you have warrants for the arrest? >> Yes, I had I had a I had a a warrant, but you still got >> I still got it because I have the court right now on third on 21st. I'm still going to it. >> Okay, let's just let's see. We're going to try to figure all that out. Okay. Well, now my concern is the kids. If you do have a warrant, you're going to be placed under arrest. If they do want to come get you from whatever you're going to do, you're going to be arrested. But I really don't care about your situation. I care about the kid. Obviously, you don't feel comfortable leaving the kid with your mother. She can't even walk, right? >> What? She can't. She can't even walk. >> That's what I'm meeting for strategy. comes back as an active warrant. Okay? Right now, like I'm saying, if it comes back as an active warrant and they want you to go to county jail, they're going to come pick you up. Do you understand that situation? I'm trying to avoid separating you from your child. Is there anyone else? >> I I don't know what what why the when I was to court, they told me cuz I have a case in Tom's Robert, my uh my lawyer. >> Yeah. >> And I talked to him. In my country, there's a lot of people that when they see, they give another people's name. >> [clears throat] >> me for strategy. >> Want you picked up? Correct. Either your child can go with your grandma or we're going to have to get uh child protective services involved. >> No, no, no. >> Right. Okay. So, do you want the child to go with grandma? You're you comfortable with grandma watching your kid? >> I don't have other choice. >> Yes. The other choice is you find somebody else. Anyone else in the area? Grandma is a in good health, good sound mind. speak English. >> I'm going to send out see if the agency >> where you have a warrant wants you. >> I don't know. >> I don't know. >> Do you get mail anywhere? Where What's your phone number that you think you have? >> What's your phone number that you think you have? Having a spontaneous pizza cravings delicious pizza. >> What hotel did you stay at last night? >> Where did you stay last night? >> What hotel did you stay at yesterday? >> Where? I don't know. total 5G plus unlimited 3 month plan total wireless and anti concerned about the possibility of temporary separation and though visibly [music] shaken she remained composed and arranged for the child to stay with a grandmother requesting that she come to pick the child up. >> Yeah, she's part of a u she got >> the second degree um >> they're definitely living somewhere too. >> I don't care somewhere they could go. >> Yeah. They will pick up. >> They're going to call back for the >> You know what's smart? A well balanced meal without all the crap. >> Grandma drive. >> Do you have a car seat in that car? It's a Toyota. I don't know. weird. >> We're going to look at the cameras. Backtrack. >> They definitely do have pictures of it on the phone. They said they didn't have a phone before. No. So, they said they didn't. >> Can we see? Do you have pictures of passports, man? >> I do. >> Oh, they randomly both have phones now. Yeah, they're just >> Oh, >> yeah. We're not This doesn't matter. I don't know why we're lying. I'm trying to do this like anyone. >> And they definitely live somewhere, too. >> No one wants to do this. >> Yeah. >> I'm looking for She's calling someone to probably get the car. Not yet. >> I don't care as long as have a place for this kid to go. Rochel Park. Do >> you speak English? No. >> He speaks English? >> Uhhuh. >> Sir. >> Sir, do you speak English? >> Yes, sir. Yes. >> Hey, how you doing? Um, so Alisa Alisa here has a warrant. Okay. She's going to be placed under arrest. We have a baby here. We don't want to call Dyus and have the give the baby to Dus. Okay. Are you located in this area of Rochelle Park where? >> Yeah. Rochelle Park. >> How far is that from from Clifton? >> Clifton. 15 minutes. >> Yes. 15 minutes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Give me Give me something like 20 minutes. 20 minutes. >> Pick up the charge. Yes. 20 minutes. 25 minutes. >> All right. Can you come to our police station where you can take custody of the baby? >> My My mom is there. Give me the charge to my mom. Oh, this is your mom? >> Yes. Leave the talk to my mom. >> Okay. What's your mom's name? >> Boka Lia. >> Oh, Boka Lucretcha. Okay, perfect. >> The team did not act hastily. [music] They carefully confirmed who would take responsibility for the child, where the child would go, [music] and made sure a clear guardian was in place. Their priority was to avoid placing the child into institutional care unless absolutely required. >> All right. >> Give the baby to my mom. >> Give the baby to your mom. >> Yes. >> Okay. And who is this? Is this your daughter, Alisa? >> Yes. Right over. Right over. So, Alisa is your daughter. >> Get an address for the kids. >> Okay. Can I just get your information though, cuz I want to make sure this baby's going to get in the right spot. >> No problem. >> What's your What's your What's your first name? >> Stans. >> What's your first name? >> Of course you are. >> Stanson. Stans. >> Stansen. >> That's what I'm worried about. >> Okay. How do you spell it? >> St. S. S. Bokea is your last name. >> You have to deal with BCA. >> It wouldn't be the first time. >> Okay. What's your date of birth, sir? >> 848 >> 48. He's got kids, too. Good. Perfect. 329 >> 30 >> Okay. And what's your address in Clifton that the baby's going to go to? >> We should be hold one second. I give you one address. My fine. What's the address? What's the address in Clifton? >> I have the I have to look for >> it's on your phone in Clipton. >> I don't have any battery. The address stson, where are where do you live? Where are you going to bring the baby? It's >> Broadway. >> Broadway in in Clifton. Broadway. >> [music] >> in Little Ferry or Clifton. No, no, hold on. >> Tell him to stop by police headquarters. >> Why not? >> Send you a phone number for their warrants division. >> Set up uh pick up time with us. Could be here at the county jail. >> Do you want him to come to the police station? I don't care if they want to go in the car. >> Yeah. Is it? No. >> Is it okay? Is it okay if the uh your mom uh has the baby until you pick her up at the shop? Right. >> Okay. >> Okay, that's fine. How long you going to be? 25 minutes. >> 25 minutes. What's your baby's name? >> High school first name. >> Cu E F I. >> So his last name is your >> Yes. >> And then his first name is >> F. No E is R I M. >> Okay. What's his name? Okay. >> All right. So, the the baby's the baby's good with the grandma that you're you're >> Sir Stenson. >> Stensson, >> you're going to come you're going to come pick up the baby and your mom. All right. >> Yes. >> Okay. I know they have a car here. Tell them they can sit in the car until then. Okay. >> Okay. No problem. >> All right. And your daughter's >> Yes. >> Okay. >> To my mom. >> Stand to for the police station. >> The police station? No, you could pick you can pick them up at the shop, right? >> You can pick you can pick her up at the shop right with the baby. Tell me the headquarters. >> I'm going to walk to police station. You don't believe your baby. >> All right. You got to come to the police station. You want the address? >> Yes. >> 1515. West Payic Street, [clears throat] please. >> West 151 West Payic Street. P A S A I C. >> I know it is dead. >> Yeah, >> I'll walk. Let's go. >> Rochelle Park, New Jersey. >> Okay, sir. Thank you so much. >> All right, come to the police station. Thank you. >> What is the warrant? What about the weather? Explain which one is the chargerhead. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> For my >> She has a warrant from the Ocean County. I guess she got arrested in Tom's River. >> Tom River. Yeah. >> Tom. Yeah. The warrant in Tom. Okay. She'll take forever to give her a ride because of her name. Sounds good. Is this your phone? One second. All right. You're coming in 20 minutes to the police station, right? Stenson, you're coming to the police station, right? And I'm going to walk you. >> All right. I'll see you in about 20 minutes. Just get here ASAP. Thank you. 20 minutes. Thank you. >> They know where to come. >> There was no confrontation or distressing scene. The mother was escorted to address the unresolved matter while the child was transferred to family care. >> Right here. Here's your phone. Seat belt. Put your seat belt on. transport from shop right to police headquarters mileage 23 661 9 64 >> when you get to headquarters uh just get that number from from Mike and just call the warrant squad and make arrangements 59 central calling for a smoke condition outside. One call for pass by headquart. I'll be escorting a female party and her child by foot to headquarters. You don't see there's a female officer that can respond to our headquarters for search. Okay. Off HQ. Any mile? >> Hardship may explain many choices, but it cannot replace parental duty. For anyone raising children, resolve outstanding obligations early. Always prepare a safety plan and never allow your child to carry the weight of adult responsibilities. Without the neighbors timely help, this story might not have ended on such a fortunate note. >> And I saw the three kids playing on the water, >> but I realized one of the kids was drawing. >> On April 30th, 2025, local responders received an urgent report that three young children were home on their own near a large body of water while their mother was at work without an adult present. Concern grew as the children were seen playing close to the water without guidance. Thankfully, people nearby stepped in, guided the children away from the area, and contacted emergency services. The response team arrived quickly to record what had occurred. >> Okay, the baby's up. >> Yeah, baby's out for three. >> The baby is uh crying. He's up. >> You went in the water for the baby? >> I have degrees. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, >> have you seen the parents or anything like that? >> No, bro. >> I just was eating a hot dog on my dad's house. >> I saw from over there that the kids wasn't playing. So, I just ran out, throw my kids, and went to the water. >> One of the king. There's no adults in there, man. The kids were left at home. >> Yeah, there's no adults here. They're saying the mom is at work. >> So, what happened? You just went outside by yourself. Hey, where how do you call mom? >> How do you call your mom? >> You have a phone? >> I don't know. >> You don't know your mom's number? >> You have your mom's number? >> No. >> Okay, relax. Relax. Relax. What about an auntie? Somebody. You know how to call somebody? >> No. >> You don't know how to call anybody? >> How old are you, sweetie? How old? >> Who's normally home with you guys? >> Yeah. >> Who's home with you guys? >> Right there. How old is she? >> Huh? >> How old are you? She's >> eight. And you're seven. >> What's your mom's name? >> I don't remember. >> You live right here on this? >> No, I live on the corner. >> Over on the corner. >> Probably 12th place. Southeast >> apartment. >> All right. And just run me through real quick what happened. >> Okay. I was I was on my mom's house and I saw the three kids playing on the water. >> All right. >> But I realized one of the kids was drawing. I told my man, "Oh, that that kid is drawing." So, I mean, I didn't think I just ran it, throw my things, and one of the kids was on the corner. So, I throw one of the kids out. The other one was drying, but the other one was more drying. So, I grabbed one that was dry. I throw that kit. >> Uhhuh. >> I p with the other one like it was, you know, completely drying. >> Okay. >> The bigger one. So, when But the thing is that in the edge, it's like a little >> It drops off. >> Drop off heavily. They didn't give me like time like like to to put in swim position stuff like that. So the kid begin to draw me but I'm I'm an adult so I realize that I grab the kid like that >> you know a little bit and then we go out you know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Basically that was it. >> All right. Thank you for that. Okay. >> Appreciate it. You have the number for >> Yeah. >> 305. >> You're heading to work. Okay. Who's supposed to be home with the kids? >> Okay. you. So, he left an 8-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a three-year-old home by themselves. All three almost drowned in the lake it had it not been for a person that witnessed it and saved them. So, I need you to return back to the house. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. You okay? >> Yeah. >> He uh the guy said he was the last one. He was already at the drop off. >> Yeah. He came to work. They were all in the water. He said he grabbed her and him. >> Yes. >> Yeah. He grabbed the little one was >> he's eight and seven. >> Here. This is all their info. >> Your first name. >> What's your first name? >> Tron. >> T R A V R A. >> Oh. Yeah. >> Your signature here that we're going to kick if you look it. That's all it is. Thank you, fellas. All right. Have a good one. Have a good one. >> So, the bees went after her. >> Yeah. He tried to get her. I think these two were the deepest. And then when he couldn't, he grabs her. He threw her back to shore the guy. Mhm. >> And goes after him because he was already on the drop. And then when he grabbed him, he started to pull him under. So then that's when he put him on the shoulder and started back to try to get to the lip. So that way he could grab on and pull himself back up. >> Yeah. Thank God somebody was paying attention. >> Exactly. >> Imagine talking about that playing and >> Yeah. >> He was at the volunteering. >> Yeah. He was talking He was at his mom's house >> and he said he said um he was out there he was watching him play and then he realized that it wasn't playing anymore. Their body language said that they were drowning. >> Yeah. He should have been in the water anyway. >> Yeah. Exactly. So then he ran out and threw everything and just jumped into the water. He grabbed the first one that was right on the right there in the water. Tossed her off to the side. Then I'm guessing went after her and him. >> The children later shared their experience, revealing how an activity that felt playful carried hidden pictures. >> There are two kids. There are three kids >> uh one toddler, the female toddler. >> Mhm. >> And uh um like me, the other guy, the skinny one. >> So that one really drowning that one. Okay. and the skinny girl that that taller was running too. So I said the first ones wasn't running at all because I pushed her on my way inside the little one. >> I don't quite remember. But >> but >> one of them you push you push it >> I push her outside. So I I I went to to grab the toddler. >> I saved her and the kid was already inside. So okay, >> probably he he saw >> So the toddler was the one deeper in the water. >> No, the the kid >> the taller girl. >> The boy. Yeah, he was the deepest. >> They were the deepest. >> And then the taller girl was the next or was it the smaller one? >> Was was the smaller one? >> The smaller one was the next the second one drowned. >> Correctly. >> Okay. So, the bigger one was the one you pushed. More than likely. >> Probably. Yeah. More than likely. >> Okay. Yeah. >> All right. Makes sense. >> What made y'all go out there? >> I told them to not drown. And then they >> What game did they make up? like touched the water. Then my brother pushed my little sister in the water in the water. >> So you pushed her in the water. >> So what was the game? You made up a game with your little sister. Go and test the water. And what happened? >> You said what? I accident. >> She drank some water and you were trying to save her. >> No, she had a friend where she started floating and I tried to save him. >> Okay. So, why would your sister say that you pushed her? Was that part of the game? So, how did you get in the water? >> Um, my sister tried to save them, but I couldn't cuz I got scared. The mother arrived soon after visibly worried and apologetic. She explained that as a single parent working daytime hours, she had misjudged the risks of leaving the children at home. >> I know what I deserve. I know exactly what I deserve. I'm just a single mom. >> Okay. Can you stand up? >> Yes, please. I am. Forgive me. Forgive me. >> Stand up. Stand up. >> Forgive me, please. What time did you leave the house? >> Around 7:00. At >> 7:00. >> Mhm. >> Uh, where's your son? >> He said he was on on his way home. Brian. >> Brian. >> Yes. >> When did he say he was on his way home? >> I was just talking to him before I left the house and he told me he was on his ways home. >> So, he wasn't home when you left? >> No. He told me that he he went to get something. He said he told me that he wasn't he was home before I leave the house. Then he would at the same time I leave tell me that he's going to go to get something at his friend. I said okay well are you going to come right back? He said yes. Then I just left and go to work. >> Okay. If you want you can have a seat. I'm going to take the keys though. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Just go ahead and have a seat in the car. >> She of who? The one supposed to be here. >> She left the house with him at the same time. >> So who stayed behind? >> He told her that he was going to get something from the friend's house and he would come right back. But she had to go to work. So she left to work. >> Okay. So they both left the house knowingly at the same time. She knew he was gave him permission to go to his friend's house and grab something and he was supposed to return. >> How old 18 years? >> Yeah. >> Hi. How are you? >> I'm her sister. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Ma'am, >> stand by. Okay, never mind. >> Yeah, just right now the detectives are on scene. So, >> okay, never mind. >> Until they say something, otherwise >> keep >> once they once they talk to each kid, then we'll let you be with that kid. >> It's just until we talk to them or they talk to them, then we got to keep it like it is. >> Okay. >> The positive outcome was that all three children were safe. Still, the situation led to formal proceedings related to the lack of supervision. >> How you doing, man? Brian, I'm just going to ask you to stand by here. You can sit in your car. I just got to take your keys from you, though. But you got have a seat in your car. All right. >> I got to No, no, it's a key. >> You can just have a seat right there. Thank you, man. We're just keeping y'all separate so that way when the detectives talk to you, nobody talked to each other and came up with whatever they're going to say. All right. So, that's why we do this. >> All right. I'm going to talk to the sir. She's definitely being detained. She's not allowed to talk to nobody. So, I don't know if you want to have her here. >> I'll bring it I'll put her in my car. >> Oh, what? Yeah. I'm just going to make an attempt to talk to him and >> I'm sorry. >> Ameilia, she's okay. I don't see her coming out. >> Yeah, she's okay. She didn't come out because she's she's so young. So, for them to talk to her, it's like Yeah, she's good. virus rescue checked her the most cuz she's the smallest. But she's good, >> you know. Anyway, I thank you guys. I thank God for you guys find them for me. Otherwise, it would have been worse. Would have been >> Well, it wasn't it wasn't us. Who are your children? >> That's my sister and my kids. >> Okay. >> I'm you okay letting your kids were your sister? >> No. >> Has she ever been arrested? >> My Okay. I'm going to meet her ID. >> Okay. That's and I'm usually something worse happen. Whatever it is, if I have to go to jail, my kids as a single mom, you have to work. I can work daytime. You have to be home. Night time, even though it's hard, you know, it's really hard. Everything happened to be your child. I'm really sorry for that. >> You are a female. I can't search you. Do you have any weapons before? >> You want me to do it in the front? You want me to do it in the back? >> Um, it doesn't. >> So, we're normally 10 people in the back. I'll put it in the front. I'm just letting you know, please. I see that you're doing this like this. So, I'll respect that. But I'm just letting you know. >> You want your phone to stay where you >> can give it to my sister. Leaving to my sister. >> Okay. >> I should let him pass it. He'll explain all that to you. Just give him a second. He'll explain it all to you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Oh, thank you so much. >> Um, okay. But my son, are they going to stay with everybody? All the children going to stay with my sisters. >> Uh, what your sister? >> My older son also. >> I don't know. That's I don't know what's going on with your older son yet. I don't know if he's staying or I I don't think they're gonna worst case scenario, they're not gonna leave him with the kids again. >> Of course not. But they can the kids the kids can go with my sister, but he can stay home by himself. >> Yeah, he's an adult. Yeah, we we have no say in that. So, no problem. >> All right. Put your feet in. >> No problem. Thank you. >> Uh seat belt. >> Oh, it's over. >> Everything happened for a reason. We're just going to thank God for what it is. My kids. Okay. The mother was charged with two counts of child and culpable negence. Under Florida law, she may face up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Protecting children should never depend on chance. Every early warning and [music] thoughtful choice carries deep human importance. Florida opened an even more brutal story. This time, the accusers were the children themselves. >> Hit me in my arm and in my uh elbow. On April 26th, 2023, Florida police received a report that Mother Maria Smith had attacked her children, a teenage boy and his younger sister with a metal baseball bat. They immediately rushed to the scene and approached the victims. >> What's up, man? What's going on? >> Oh, she beat up my sister, chased her around outside with a metal bat. I think she hit her. I'm not sure. And I tried to take up her and she uh she hit me in my back. >> Let me see your back. >> She hit me like right here. And she hit me in my arm and then my uh elbow area right here. No, with the bat. >> Look, man. Metal baseball bat. >> Okay. What's your mom's name? >> Uh, Jan Smith. Maria Smith. She's inside right now. >> Maria Smith. Okay. Dev, just stand right here. Deviant. Wait, sir. >> I told him he can sit on my porch if you want. >> Yeah. My partner will be here in a minute. Just wait right here. All right. Cuz we about to get a statement from you and all that. All right. >> Following [snorts] the teenage boy's statement, the police, one with a gun, another with a taser, knocked on a house door, and took the mother into custody. I'm call this 14 victim has bruises along his back for 23 for the next unit. So we try to make contact with his app she's there as of 1921. Do you have less lethal? >> West Palm Beach Police window. >> Someone's coming out. >> Ma'am, come out with your hands up, please. >> Come out with your hands up, please. >> What am I doing that for? >> I see you. Come out with your hands up. See your hands. >> She's good. >> Are you out this way, man? >> What am I doing? Okay. >> My kids are in the house. What? Hold on here. What is happening here? >> What am I doing this for? >> Being detained. All right. >> Detained for what? >> They're all upstairs. One's in the bathroom. There's three of them in there. Just call them out, please. >> Come over here. >> I can stand over here. I don't need to be in the view of everybody else. Now, why am I being detained? >> How old are they kissing? >> My 15-year-old's in the shower. My daughter is 10. And my son is eight. One's in the shower. >> What am I being detained for? >> Based on our call, >> which was what? >> How many kids do you have? >> My 17-year-old is somewhere running around here with the BB gun. >> Inside, the remaining children were reassured by the officers and taken to safety. >> Come on down for us. >> You're not in trouble. >> You're not in trouble. Come on. Is anybody else upstairs? >> Who else is it? >> Come on. You step right there. Come on, buddy. >> Come on, buddy. It's okay. It's okay, buddy. Come on. It's all right. It's okay. Come on, buddy. It's okay. Got you. >> That's the Come here, sweetheart. Stand right here. >> What's your name? >> Huh? Stand right there for me. You're not in. Come on, buddy. Just watch for me. Okay. >> What are the legal reasons? >> Just like your rights as a person. >> Okay. Okay. Well, then you should explain them to me then. >> We will. >> Right here. >> Okay. >> Bring you over there. >> Come over here. We going to walk over here. >> She stay here. You >> I'll stay with her. >> Outside. [snorts] The sun continued to provide vivid evidence of his mother's brutal behavior. >> Hey bud, what's going on? >> Hit me with the bat being on my sister. >> Where did she hit you with a bat? >> In my that area right here. >> Okay. right here and in my shoulder. >> Okay. You want to see medics? >> Oh, yeah. They're here. >> Two bravo one. You can lift traffic. We have one detained and medics. It's clear for medics. >> I don't know if my sister, so I don't know what happened to her. She was >> She Yeah, we're going to We're going to talk to her. >> Smashed my phone call. Nobody. >> What? What did she do this for? >> Nothing. No, it was It was really my little brother. He cried over some cereal. He went and hit my little sister. He hit my my sister >> and uh she retaliated back and said, "Don't hit me." You know, my mom, she's more lenient with the little ones, the two little ones. So, she went back and forth for my sister. Put her out the house saying, "Oh, she don't want it. I told you you could have stayed with your dad. I don't want y'all here." >> This your dad. >> Hello. Hold on. Hello. >> Uh, she hit me with the metal back in my back, lower back area. I think like middle back area. She hit me in my arm and my shoulder. Ran outside. She's tried pulling a BB gun on me. I took it and it was a rifle. I threw it in the lake. She threatened me with a bat again. I'm telling Julia to unmute the phone cuz she was on the phone with Grammy to so I could tell her to explain everything to her. You know, she just kept coming out back and forth with the bat threatening me. So, I just had to come to the neighbor and I I tried calling you and I called the police. >> Did you tell them that that she had your sister with the >> Yeah. Yeah. I told him she like beat her up outside and threw her around in the dirt and stuff. >> Talk to me in trouble. What did you do? >> Nothing. He's saying I'm in trouble because she hit me with the bat. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I just ran to the neighbor. I tried I She said that I'm going to f up your sister. If you say anyone anybody, you're next. That's what I told you on my phone. She Yeah, she smashed my phone with the bat. After she said, I said, "You're not going to hit her with that bat." And then she said, "What are you going to do about it?" I said, "You're not going to hit her with that bat." >> Hey, buddy. And >> buddy, what what's your name? Back. He's okay right now. He's with us. >> Yeah, I gotta call you back. You're gonna talk to me. I got to call you back. >> All right. At the same time, he recounted every detail from his mother hitting him and throwing him out to her threats. So, >> what happened? >> Uh, you know, going to be good. >> So, my little brother, he went to get some cereal or something and he was complaining about milk and whatnot and my sister, I said something to my little brother. My little brother ended up hitting her. She was like, "Don't hit me." And my mom is more lenient to there's two other little ones in there. She's more lenient with those two. She she's going to take their side, but she going back and forth with my sister, telling her, "Why are you still back here? I told you to stay with your dad." She um what happened? She then put my sister outside. >> Uh I guess they were arguing and she went and grabbed the >> back right here. >> She went and uh grabbed the metal bat and went outside and chased my sister around and I guess they were talking for a bit. They went left or something and they just started fighting and then she started, you know, putting her in the dirt. She went back inside to grab the metal bat and she told me, "I'm gonna go out there and f her up and if you say anything, you're next." And I said, "You're not going to hit my sister with that bat." And she said, "What are you going to do about it? You're causing all this drama for nothing. You're not going to hit her." So then she said, "You could leave, too. You can go upstairs and pack all your stuff." I'm going in there. I'm getting my gathering my stuff. I guess she goes back outside to fight my little sister again. Cuz I come back downstairs. She come in the door saying, "Uh, you both need to leave." Da da da. I said, leave for what did I do? What? What do we even do? She said, I don't want you and your sister here. This is just all drama. I just want peace and my sanity. And I said, uh, your sanity. This isn't gaining your sanity. I said, like, this isn't right what you're doing. And she said, mother Efron. And she went grabbed the, uh, bat and told me to get out. And I was already on the phone with my dad. I just wanted him to hear everything that was going on so he could be my witness. I tried running over to the couch area and she swung at me and hit me in the back. I tried jumping over the couch. She hit me in my arm and in my uh elbow and I ran outside and I was just yelling at her and she uh I think she tried she tried to grab the it was a BB gun rifle in the corner. She tried grabbing it on me and I grabbed it from her and I threw it in the lake and I said um what you're doing isn't right at all to us and my sister's on the phone with my grandma and she used the phone. I need to talk to Grammy. And as I'm telling her to do this >> given the severity of the situation, the police had to take him to the hospital for an examination. >> You got injuries or anything? >> Oh yeah. Let them check you out. >> Yeah, just by looking at it, you can tell there's not really much going on. If you want to go to the hospital, we can take you. I think they're just going to they would just x-ray you and send you back. I would let you know if I felt like something was off or something was broken. Okay. Do you want to go? >> Maybe. >> Huh? >> Yeah. >> You want to go to the hospital? Fire rescue? >> I don't think this major, but you know, I got hit with the metal bass. >> Okay, we're going to go and we're going to go now. >> Yeah. You ready? >> We'll meet you down there at the hospital. Okay. >> Yeah. So, where'd you get hit? Where you got hit? Right on your back. >> Photos now. >> Yeah. Let me get photos right here. >> See the redness there? >> Right there. Is it working? >> There we go. And you said on your arm where you're at and then here my elbow. [ __ ] >> Take a photo of his face as well. Will you pull down your mask? >> I need to take my glasses off. >> You don't have to, but it wouldn't help. Try to push your dress back. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> I try. He don't. >> All right. They going to take you to the hospital. Grandma, >> he's going to >> St. Mary's coming up. >> All right. Safari. >> Did she hit your sister with the bat at all? >> I think so. I don't know. >> But that [snorts] was only the son's account. From the mother's side. The story was completely [music] different and contradictory. >> I'm officer Baxter with West Palm Beach Police Department. Today is April 26, 2023 at 6:31 p.m. And I'm here with Jona Jana Smith. So, can you kind of explain what what happened? >> The issue started with my daughter. >> I'm sorry. Can you raise your hand for me? Solidly swear that the statement give by you is the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help you God. >> Yes. Started with my daughter. Her and my younger son were arguing about popcorn. I I don't know. >> Just little kid stuff. She got upset and that's why you see her out here throwing rocks because I told her she wasn't coming back inside of the house. So she was out here throwing rocks, running around here. That's why >> just playing around throwing rocks. >> No. being malicious, throwing throwing rocks, trying to be defiant because she didn't want to listen to what I was telling her to do. >> Why? >> Again, >> right? >> Okay. >> Do we have grandma? >> She's on the way, but I don't want to leave. Where am I going? >> You're not going anywhere at the moment, but you're paying for. >> Okay, buddy. >> This is why we don't want to be right here. But can you close the door then? >> Give him my phone then. >> Well, we'll get it. Photograph. >> Photograph and collect what? Okay, buddy. It's okay. >> So, you're arresting him? >> Being detained? Not arrested. >> But I'm not understanding what that means. >> Mean you're not under arrest. You're just being >> Why am I being detained if you were questioning me? He was just cautioning me. >> She began [snorts] recounting the story of her disrespectful and spoiled child, explaining why she lost control, but never mentioned hitting him. >> Being pain, I'm putting being put in the back of the car. Sit down. I'm officer Bell with the West Palm Beach Police Department. Are you familiar with Miranda warnings? >> I am. >> So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to read you off of this car verbatim. Just please verbally state that you understand them after this. Okay. With a yes or a no. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. Do you understand that? >> I do. >> You have the right to the presence of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statement and during questioning. Do you understand that? >> I cannot afford a lawyer. You are entitled to the presence of a courtappointed lawyer before you make any statement and during question. Do you understand that? >> Any statement can and may be used against you in the court of law. Do you understand that? >> I do. >> Any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Do you understand that? >> I do. >> If at any time during the interview you do not wish to answer any questions, you are privileged to remain in silent. >> I do. >> I can make no threats or promises to induce you to make a statement. This must be of your own free will. Do you understand that? >> I do. >> So, what's your first and last name? >> Jana Smith. >> Okay. Miss Smith, can you just tell me what happened today? >> My son doesn't want to listen. >> That's basically what it boils down to in a nutshell. >> Okay. >> He wants to be the man of a house when he's not a man. and he doesn't, like I said, he doesn't listen. He's very disrespectful. He's telling me what I can and cannot do in regards to him being inside my house, which then I proceeded to tell him that he was free to go. He was just with his father this weekend. I told him to stay there. They don't listen. They were both free to stay there. He's up was upset about that mainly. He he was more so upset because my son was bothering him upstairs in the room. They feel as though I baby him and let him get away with stuff. So, while I was outside on the phone with my mom and my daughter calming her down after you seen her on the camera throwing rocks and stuff like that, she was talking to my mom. I guess the boys were upstairs and my son was pulling on his hair or something and he was upset and I came back in. He was calling her name saying that he was blah blah blah. So, I told him to leave him alone and stop name calling. He didn't like that because he felt like I let him get away with everything. So, um, he was like in my face, which is why I had the bat in my hand. He ran through my living room, tossed over a table, went through the side, um, on my couch is where this table was. The BB gun is in the corner, and he grabbed the BB gun, and ran out the door with it. She was still outside on the phone with my mother >> and I then locked the the gate behind him once he ran out with the beat. He then you can hear him on the thing telling her to open the gate and that I effed up now because I hit him with the bat which I did not. What I did with the bat was smash my phone he was using because he was telling her to come and get the phone and I told him he didn't have a phone and the phone got smashed. Then I threw the phone to him outside. He still had the BB gun and was cursing me out, saying, "Um, I guess it's already said to him about me. I don't recall everything he said." But that's when you hear him saying, "Oh, I effed up now. I effed up now. I hit him with the bat." And he was going to call the police. And I let him call the police. I closed my gate behind him. She finished talking to my mom, picking up the rest of the rocks that she had thrown out there, and we went back in the house. I was getting ready to take my son to baseball when my bell rang. and dies again. >> Okay. >> And what about the severe injuries on her son's back? The mother's entire explanation was simply I don't know. After all, this was the safest answer, just enough to avoid incriminating herself >> at any point. Did you strike yourself? >> No. >> Whether with her hands or bat or anything like that? >> No, I struck the phone. You could see the phone was smashed up. I don't know if he still had it in his in his hand. >> Were you aware of any injuries that your son has? >> No. >> Injuries from what? >> Okay. So, he's pretty banged up on his back and on his arm. Can you explain those where those might have come from? >> On his arms and on his back from what? >> I have no idea. >> I don't have any idea either. He We would ran through the house and he knocked over the table, ran in the corner where the BB gun was. I don't know how he's got anything on his arms or on his back. It's definitely not for me. I don't even know where he went after he ran off with the BB gun. He came back a few times, couldn't get back in the gate, and he left. So, I didn't know where where he went, which is why I went on about my business getting ready to take my child to baseball. I wasn't expecting you guys to show up at at my door. >> Yes, ma'am. You're saying at no point did you strike him? Did he strike you? >> He attempted to, which is why I grabbed the bat in the first place. He came at me. The bat was right by the door. I grabbed the bat when he came at me. >> How did he come at you? How? >> Like lunged at me. >> And you were So, he was inside of the house. >> We were inside of the house. He was towards the I don't know how to explain that. I was standing like face to my back towards the stairs. He was picking up shoes that he had thrown all over the floor and I told him to pick up his shoes and he could go. This is what the argument was about. He didn't have to be there. He was free to go. In the process of him picking up the shoes, yes, I'm still fussing at him and telling him, you know, he didn't need to be there. He's picking on his 8-year-old brother unnecessarily. Ben was picking up the shoes still. My daughter was still on the phone with my mom. She was coming back inside the house. I don't know what they were saying, right? He was yelling or something like, "Oh, Grammy, see, she's always starting drama or something like that." I went to tell him like, "Shove him out the door and he just shoved him out the door." He pushed back when I tried to shove him out the door and then like came at me and I grabbed the bat from the door. He ran around through the living room. >> So, I thought you said you never touched him. >> I didn't hit him. I like nudged him, shoved him. Wasn't forced. So, I nudged him, tried to get him out the door. >> Mhm. But I didn't even really push him hard, like pushed him on his shoulder. Yes, ma'am. >> And um he got upset about that and came towards me, which is why I end up having the bat in my hand. Ran around the sofa, knocked the table over in the corner so he could get through the side, grabbed the BB gun out out of the corner because it was over in the corner behind the chair that's in the corner. Pushed that up against the window and ran out the door and then ran off. Came back telling my daughter to open the gate. left again because I was standing there still at the gate with the bat still, but I didn't touch him with the bat. >> Is that all? Is that all? >> That's it. That's it. >> You didn't let him back in the gate. >> I didn't let him back in the house at all. And I told her not to let him back in the gate and I told her to come in the house and she went and got in the shower. >> That's when >> And that's when the rest of it happened cuz we were getting ready to leave. I was getting ready to take him to baseball. >> All right, no problem. Just hang tight for a second. >> The mother was arrested and held on charges of child abuse, a thirdderee felony under Florida law. If convicted, she could face up to 5 years in prison or probation along with fines up to $5,000. The expected bail to secure release ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the severity of the case. Communication and emotional control within a family are essential. Children have the right to speak out when and any act of violence to resolve conflicts is both dangerous and illegal. In Illinois, it's hard to believe the police had to knock twice to uncover the truth hidden inside a house. Come on. Come here. Put your hands where you guys. >> April 1st, 2025, officers received an urgent call from Princeton Avenue reporting a violent fight between a drunken mother and her stepfather. They rushed to the scene and knocked on a house door. But instead of a reply, an unusual silence stretched on until the door suddenly swung open, revealing the stepfather. >> It's Park Police. >> Can you come talk to us real quick? We got a call about some kind of argument. I'm telling you what we need to do, man. Someone called us. We're here, right? It is what it is. It's not the end of the world. Once we check on you guys, make sure. Okay, we'll be out of here. That's it. >> What happened? >> We can't even talk. >> Is your wife or spouse here or girlfriend? >> Oh, man. She ain't been this Saturday. I told you. >> Hello. How are you? So, we got to make sure you're okay. We got to make sure that whoever else is in here is okay. >> I see the cops outside. I'm like, >> talk to her real quick. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Can you go talk to them downstairs real quick? Make sure everything's okay. Why would someone keep calling us and saying you guys are arguing if there's no arguing? >> Nah, she's not allowed to be here for like another day >> from the domestic issue. >> So why why are we here earlier? Cuz I wasn't working though. >> Me and this kid were arguing and me I drink, bro. So some stupid whatever the >> Okay. >> I lay down. My mother was here earlier too. She's [ __ ] upset about some other. >> My mom doesn't like my eggs. >> All three same. >> Uh yes. >> Did you say more kids last? >> Yeah. I have other kids. Yeah. >> Okay. What happened to your lips? >> Uh I fell earlier. >> You fell earlier? drinking, bro. I drink a lot. >> How much did you drink today? >> I just >> I got to make sure you're okay. >> A lot, bro. I'm alcoholic. >> So, let me ask you a couple questions just to make sure that you know where you're at. I know it's stupid, man. Just deal with me. I got body camera. I got to make sure. >> That's good. That's good. >> What day of the week is it? >> Sunday. >> Okay. What? Uh, >> no. No. Tuesday. >> Close. What? Uh, >> it's not Tuesday. >> It's close to Sunday. You said Sunday. >> No, it's Tuesday, bro. >> Okay. What's the plan for the rest of the day? Cuz I just don't want to keep coming back and >> going and just saying. >> No, I get it, man. Where we at right now, bro? I'm just praying that I don't know. But we a little noise, bro. I thought you guys were here for across you or somebody. >> You got to understand where I'm coming from where if somebody calls us and says something's going on, we got to check on you. I get it's annoying, >> but unfortunately you guys live in an apartment. You got thin walls. If you get into some little argument, someone's going to call. Dude, >> the stepfather's statement seemed reasonable, but the police were still suspicious. They immediately entered and found someone hiding inside. >> Is she here? >> No. She knows she not be here. I don't even want her here, bro. Do >> you mind if we check? >> You can check all you want, bro. I know you earlier today stairs maybe make sure >> stairs >> there's a second door into the apartment through the kitchen too. >> Well, you're an adult, right? You can drink, but we just got to make sure that we're good with the kids, you know? Okay, come up. Come here. Put your hands on your back. Uh, >> it's 722 hours to pick up my stuff. So, why am I >> upstairs with him? Put your hands behind your back for a minute. Okay, because you're hiding in the closet when the police are. I don't know why you're hiding in the closet. So, right now, you're detained. >> Stop moving. >> You just have something against me. I don't have anything against you. But when we get called when we get called in for domestic and I'm trying to find you, you're hiding in the closet holding the damn door. What does it look like? Right. >> Are you good? >> Yeah, I got it right here. >> No matter how she tried to justify herself, her strange behavior did not convince the police. >> Why are you hiding in the damn cloud? >> Cuz it's my time to get my But you guys don't ever understand. That's the thing. >> Was I here earlier? >> I don't know. >> Right now, you're detained. Okay. You have the right to remain silent. I didn't even say I listen. What is your first name? Look at me. You're not under arrest. You're detained right now. Again, I don't know why you're hiding in the closet. That's why you're in cuffs, but I'm going to read your mander rights anyways. Okay? >> So, you have the right to remain silent anything you say can be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer, have him or her present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, won't be a point to represent you before any question if you wish. >> Youize these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. You understand your rights. >> Come on. This is ridiculous. >> I after 72 hours, I get a time to come here. >> Let's go outside. Outside. Go outside. Let's go outside. What happened? You were just as happy as you stay separated. >> I didn't literally. >> Do you guys have a 70 a couple days ago? Correct. >> I know. More than a couple days ago. Way more than a couple days ago. >> I was told you have a 72 Thursday night. >> Listen, this can all be figured out. But you got to be cool with me cuz I don't know anything about you. So, I got to get things sorted out. Okay. Well, you got called here for domestic. That's why we're here. You're obviously hiding in the closet for a reason. Cuz I'm guessing you're not supposed to be here. >> Okay. Now, can I explain something? >> Let's go to the car. We'll explain it. Explain it to me. So, understand this. Okay. Look how embarrassing this is. >> Other side of the car. Other side of the car. >> Damn. For real. Like you don't care. This is like a game or funny. I don't know. For real. Like >> all right. Right now I got one female custody or something. Correct. Somebody advice. >> Ironically, her explanation only made the officers more suspicious. >> Have a seat for a second so we get this sorted up. >> So when did you and what's your boyfriend? >> I can get up there. >> My toes hurt. >> When did you and your boyfriend have it? A couple days ago. Correct. like Thursday evening. >> Okay. Did you get I don't know what happened. Did you get arrested? What was the deal? >> Yeah. They told us 72 hours. They said I could visit one time within the 72 hours to get my children. So therefore, I was there. All of a sudden, police being called. So my first instinct, sorry you guys, but last time I I felt like I wasn't even doing much either and I got arrested. So >> if you have a 72-hour stay away and you can't be here, that's a problem, right? That's what I'm trying to 72 hours. No, that's not my fear. Like right now, >> my fear is more that somebody called and I don't know why. Like I don't know why they called. They said that who knows what. >> We were told there was an argument inside the apartment again. >> Right. That's my worry more versus the 72-hour part. That part I only came here now because that's passed. >> Put your feet back in the car. I'm going to close the door real quick. Okay. >> She stand. She did. >> Yeah. >> 1942. Can you confirm there's a what is it? Pre-trial release. >> Pre-trial release. >> Pre-trial release for this address with these people or no? I promise you I wouldn't make this up. They did this like the public defender was really good with it. For real. I was surprised. >> I don't know what she said. >> Okay. If it's an argument, don't hide in the closet from us, right? I mean, it doesn't work. It doesn't look Well, >> all right. Sit tight for a minute. Hang on with it for a second. I'm going to go talk to corrupt here. Make sure he's good. >> I'm pulling on this door and the door's like kind of giving them like really >> probably. >> But in [snorts] the end, the police found no further clues to confirm their suspicions. So, is this confirmed or no? There's a 72 hour stay away. Correct. >> I've never seen I haven't >> Well, they don't really do 72 hours. That's more of like a term. It's not really 72 hours anymore. Usually, it's like till further order of the court or something like that. So, >> so why did they tell us 72 hours? [snorts] >> Well, that's what I'm going to try to find out right now. See if it is. If it is, then you're good. Depending on the date. So, she's sending me a picture of it right now. So, it says 72 hours. You got arrested on the 29th at 1:25 in the morning. >> Wow. You guys are technical, too. We We have to There's paperwork that says you can't be here for a certain amount of time. So, why are you hiding in the closet? >> Because he told me to run. He's like, "Go." And I'm like, "Why?" He literally pushed me out. >> But you think hiding in the closet's the best? >> When I say he literally pushed me out of the apartment, pushed me out. >> Why are you guys arguing? >> We weren't. That's the thing. >> But why is somebody calling me saying you guys are arguing? >> All of a sudden, he looks out the window. He says, "Oh, the police are coming." And I say, "Why?" He's like, "I don't know. Maybe it's cuz they heard me." Or you >> heard you guys doing what though? You You see what I'm getting at? You just told me that he told you to get out of the apartment because the one of the neighbors may have heard something, right? >> Heard what? But heard what? What would they have heard >> to make them call the police and say the people in this apartment are you? >> Honestly, I don't know. >> Did you hide in the same closet earlier in the day? Did you hide in the same closet earlier in the day? >> No. >> Where were you at earlier? >> Earlier I don't earlier I was coming. I came over here and then he told me it was like a problem. >> Yeah, but earlier in the day when we came here, >> I told him I'm like I don't know, Dad. >> Okay. So, let me ask you a question. If everything works out well, it's past the 72 hours. Are you going to be cool going up there? We're not going to be coming back again later today. Like, cuz here's here's the thing. But understand what I'm saying, okay? Like, do me a favor. Listen for a second. I'm not trying to be rude, but just understand what I'm saying, okay? I'm not trying to be a But we're not just here because we're bored. We're here because somebody called us because the last thing that your babies need is seeing the cops in the house twice in a day. You know what I'm saying? We don't want to do that. >> Go back to my dad's house like I was planning on doing. >> She going to go to her dad's. >> She wants to go to her dad's. How are you going to get to your dad's? >> He's going to come and pick me up. I was just texting him. My phone is up there. You can even look at my text messages. >> You don't drive or what? >> I don't drive. No. And plus, I have two babies. He comes and he'll pick me up. >> Okay. >> They chose to remove the handcuffs and leave, believing everything was resolved. >> Hey, let's get her out of the handcuffs. >> Cool. >> Other side. >> Did it have a time on there or no? All I saw was one >> court stamp at 101. which means it happened then or prior which means we're beyond we're beyond sorry >> and I'm not blaming him and I'm not >> he cool upstairs or no >> yeah we just said city >> he says >> he blames the booth >> whatever is going on it's got to stop not trying to be a jerk not trying to rub salt in the wound >> but we keep coming here >> here's the other thing to consider too okay so these apartments they they sign what's called the crime free housing agreement okay so your landlords can kick you guys out if we keep coming back for >> yeah I'm pretty worried about that too what I'm saying not trying to rub salt in the wound but something's got to get figured out okay you have any questions comments, concerns, opinions are with you. >> Um, >> you get inside >> if you feel the need to. Otherwise, >> I think we probably should. Just so you get inside and make sure everything's cool. All right. >> All right. >> Less than 2 hours later, they returned after receiving another call. This time, the house showed signs of a fight that had just taken place. >> Where's J? >> Uh, he went to go have a motorcycle. >> Who else is here? Sus three. >> Uh, Chel is downstairs. >> I just want to make sure we got Where did he Did he take off on foot? >> He did. Yeah, he went south or west. >> Who's primary? >> Me. >> Are you guys looking for him right now? Can I ask? I'm not trying to be like >> trouble, but what's going on? >> He's supposed to be staying out for tonight. Okay. >> All right. >> So that you guys can just decompress, [crying] make sure you guys are good. You were the one that called? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, absolutely. Just argue and >> this forced them to deliberate carefully. D came out here really quickly. I wasn't here for that one. I just got a brief from she was nowhere to be found. He says I'm stop searching partner. She's not here. She was here. Round two. I was here. He's the same thing. >> He finds her. >> He finds her hiding down there. We did the arrest. However, we find out we have a little past 72 hours. She was released. Okay. >> So, I reintered the daughter just now. She says, "I told the police." Now, I don't have the report here or anything to reference what she's saying. The first time you guys came out here, which is round one, they were physically fighting. >> Okay. >> However, they had weapons. She was here. They were and she's like someone else [music] came. He snapped her. She kept them in the car. Now, based on that, now she hears what sounds like physical. They both have injuries. I think we're going to arrest them both. >> Okay. >> We will figure out the kids situation. Maybe right now we tell her you got to make some calls. >> Okay. Somebody get the kids. >> Get the kids. And then I'm going to grab somebody else. We have to go find them. >> Find them. Okay. >> Yeah. and showed no leniency while still ensuring the children's absolute safety. >> This is the third call where it has been physical. There's physical injuries on both of you guys. You >> kidding me? >> Okay. >> No, I haven't even done anything. >> The issue is that if you don't have someone to come take care of the kids, we have to have other agencies come and get the kids. >> But my father then, >> can you call him and see if he can come take? >> Yeah, but it's going to be maybe like an hour or so. I don't know what time it is even right now. He could come. Yeah. Can you call him and ask him how long it'll be for him to get here? >> Probably an hour or so. Where am I going right now? >> We're not going to Villa Park. The Villa Park. >> And then where? >> From there, we'll talk to the States attorney and then go from there. >> So, I'm going to go back to DuPage for what? For no reason, basically. >> It's not no reason. >> Yeah, it is. They already took him. >> They're going right now. >> He got violated for doing something to me just now. Right. If I'm understanding correct. >> Both of you guys. >> Answer it. >> Who's calling? Answer it. >> Who's calling? >> Answer the phone. No. >> Answer the phone. >> She's not going to answer the phone. Okay, stop. >> Answer the phone. >> Why would Why would she answer the phone? >> For the person you have problems with, right? >> For the love of God, I'm begging you. Answer the phone. >> She's not going to answer. Okay. [screaming] >> Why would she answer for him? >> So we can know what's going on. Cuz he's the issue right now. You and him are the issue. So she's not going to answer. Okay? So you need to stop. This is your doing, not hers. I literally feel so bad for her. >> Yet, the police struggled, unable [music] to get in touch with the grandparents. >> Do you mind if I splash my book right here? You're going to see me do it. I'm going splash my face. >> Let me see real quick. I want to see where would it Can you go like this? >> Yeah. Before you let me just take a picture of it. >> No. >> Are we going to fight not being cooperative again? >> It's not that. It's just I don't want you guys. I don't know about that for real. Can you open it? There we go. >> Okay. Well, you hurt me later. We'll see. >> Your injury that you have on your face wouldn't hurt you. >> Um, you'd be surprised. >> Okay. All right. So, then about 10ish. Um, well, I we wouldn't have any other choice. So, yeah. All right. >> 3 hours later, the grandparents arrived to take the children. And that was when the mother and stepfather faced the judgment of justice. >> Hello there. How are you? >> Sorry it took a while. >> Yeah, no problem. No problem at all. Your shoes >> sweater. Can you turn around? >> I just didn't want to go to walk that fast. Sorry. That's fine. Second side. >> Wow, dude. >> Mark the Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. In the end, the mother was charged with multiple offenses ranging from two counts of domestic battery to violating pre-trial release involving a family member. Under Illinois law, she could face two to six years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and additional sanctions. [music] The stepfather was not spared. Two counts of domestic battery could also cost him two to six years behind bars and a similar fine. Domestic violence doesn't stop at arguments. It haunts innocent children as well. Parents may see it as a private matter, but the law does not, especially when children are involved. Not everyone in these stories is [music] a bad person, but good intentions never justify putting children in unsafe situations. Difficult circumstances, [music] daily pressures, or past struggles may help us understand behavior, but they can never excuse it. Children do not choose their environment, nor do they have the ability to guard themselves from life's hidden challenges. That responsibility always belongs to adults. If you found today's story meaningful, please like, subscribe, and enable notifications to stay connected. See you in the next video. Heat. Heat. N. [music] >> [music]