They say children are priceless gifts. Yet in Florida, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, these gifts are not receiving the care they deserve. >> You thought it was okay to six kids here, all under the age of 10, by themselves. >> I just lost my dad. I just lost my car. >> Wow. Brand new. >> I think you need a leash for your kids, ma'am. >> Like, >> I want to say goodbye to my kids. >> Don't push your hands on your back. >> Why? From a bustling beach to a stifling car to a cold apartment, three very different settings, yet all sharing the same question. Why must children face risks due to adults lack of care? The story begins at Panama City Beach, Florida, where six children were left unsupervised on the beach while their parents went shopping. >> And they're going farther and farther down. >> Just walking. >> No, in the water. >> In the water. In the water. In the water by themselves. >> All of them. On May 24th, 2024, police received an emergency call reporting six children on the beach without adult supervision. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered that the parents had gone shopping, leaving the children without direct supervision. The oldest being only 10. >> Who's the oldest? How old are you, sweetie? >> 10. >> You're 10. How old are you? H. >> Eight. >> Eight. Four. >> Six. >> Six. Four. Five. Seven. Six. Oh, we got one more item. Three. >> Four. Oh, see. See, if I would have kept with four, I would have been right eventually. All right. Where you guys from? >> Iowa. >> Iowa. There's no water in Iowa. So, does anybody have a phone on them? >> iPad. >> Got an iPad. Can you make a phone call in that iPad? >> Yeah. >> You got a watch? >> You got a watch? >> Call your mom. >> So, mom went to Walmart. How long ago? >> 20 minutes. >> 20 minutes. >> 20. >> Do you know what time it is now? >> Do you know what time she left? >> No. >> So, who knows how long ago? >> Like 20 minutes. >> What' your mom tell you? >> She took the baby to go get the Walmart. >> Oh, she took her baby at least. Well, at least she did that. She had a baby she took with her. She didn't baby here. >> He's only two. >> Oh, he >> see if we can uh >> Yeah. Do you Do you know mom's phone number? No. Do you know phone number? Anybody know a phone number? >> What's your phone number? >> I don't have a phone. >> You don't have a phone? >> No. I got it. >> I can't call you then. Can you call mom on that? >> Yeah. >> Who are you guys here with besides mom? >> Uh my mom. My mom and their mom. >> And both of them went to to Walmart. >> My mom went to get the groceries where she is. >> This is my mom. Yeah. That's my >> That's your mom? >> Yeah. >> How long have you been here? >> 10 minutes. 10 minutes before I got here. >> So, probably been here for a little bit. >> Who's the one that called us or called? >> Nobody called. I was flying down. >> You were driving past me. Hi. >> One mother of three of the children appeared offering an apology for her actions. >> Hello. >> Who are you? >> I'm mom of three. >> And where are you coming from? >> So, their mom just pulled up and I just went up there to switch. She just pulled up with a Walmart order and she was coming down. The baby just had >> And you thought it was just fine to leave three, four, five, six kids here at the beach. >> Switching out. >> Okay, let me finish talking. First of all, you thought it was okay to leave six kids here all under the age of 10 by themselves at the beach with no adult supervision where they could just wander off into the water. Who the hell knows where they go? >> Unsupervised. We've been here for 10 minutes. >> At least 10 minutes. How long have you been gone for? >> Like I'm I just left to go. >> At least 10 minutes ago. >> I can't tell you. It's been It's now been 11 minutes. >> So I'm Officer Williams, Officer Sween with the Panama City Beach Police Department. We got called. He got flagged down because these kids are just sitting there by themselves. >> Okay. I apologize. >> Do you have your ID with you? I do not. >> No, you don't even have your ID with you. You don't leave them with a cell phone. He little man's got a watch. We think it works. >> It does work. And they have an iPad they can call me off of as well. >> What's your first name, ma'am? >> In between time of when you pulled up with the Walmart order and Yosan had poop everywhere. I thought you were coming right back when I went to go take the Walmart order. >> This is all of you, right? You're not missing anybody >> besides your little 2-year-old brother? >> No. And like I said, she I just went up there to park the to pull the Walmart order up and park the car and we were swapping it. A witness who observed the entire situation also recounted the story. >> Hi. >> Hi, ma'am. You're the one that flagged the beach officer down. So, what what did you see? >> Well, um, >> what can you tell me? >> She was Her stuff is right here. >> Who? Okay. Now, which one's she? >> The one long-haired one. >> Black shirt, long hair. Okay. >> I guess there was two women. I didn't see the other one. >> That's their stuff right there with a green bog bag. Okay. >> She came down and took a picture of them and then all of a sudden she was gone. >> Do you know what time that was at? >> 45 minutes ago. >> 45 minutes. >> Hour maybe. >> Do you know what time it is now? Well, it's got to be maybe 12:31. >> Almost 1:00. >> Okay. It had to be 45 minutes. >> You're saying at least 12:00. It's If it's 12:50 exactly. Yeah. >> You're saying around 12:00. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> The 10year-old, we're just watching them. Y >> and they're going farther and farther down. >> Just walking. >> No. In the water. >> In the water. In the water. In the water by themselves. >> Yeah. All of them. >> I'll be back. But they're all in the water and no parent is around them supervising. >> Child. >> Absolutely. >> Abs freakingutely. Later, another mother came forward with explanations for her actions, but her facial expressions did not show any sign of remorse. >> Hey, this uh on call state attorney. Hey, so I have a situation down here. At least 45 minutes the mother was gone. They're not from here. They're from Iowa. My understanding is they're not really familiar with the water or the area itself. Do you think that's enough for child? Uh he's going to look into it and call me back. Who are you? >> I'm on the >> Oh, your mom, too. Okay. Where are you coming from? >> I just came out the ground. >> Where were you before that? >> Walmart. >> Went to Walmart? >> Yeah. By yourself? >> With my son. >> How's your son? >> Two. >> Don't happen to have your ID with you, do you? >> What's your first name? Nobody knows how to swim in the Gulf. I don't care who you are, how old you are. You can't leave six kids unsupervised out here. >> I was supposed to come right back out. I just order back. I apologize. What's your middle name? >> We were switching out. >> So, if she went up to the top, if she went topside to go take care of her son's poop and go to Walmart, then why did you leave the Walmart? I jumped in the car. >> She said, "Oh, he pooped." I thought she was coming down here and I went to go park. At >> which point did you discuss Oh, he pooped up there. >> No, when she was getting out of the car. >> So, you were both up there while six kids were down here. At which point you discovered that there's poop on the child. >> But they know how to swim, >> right? People don't see any concern. >> No, I do see a >> Hey guys, come up with me real quick. We're going to run upstairs and change a diaper. >> No, it wasn't. >> It wasn't that. Okay. So, you went to Walmart. >> I called Janelle. >> Janelle, you went to Walmart. What time did you leave to Walmart? It >> was like 11:15. >> 11:15. Okay. How long were you at Walmart? >> Not that long. I pulled in the space. I said I'd park and I brought out the order. >> Okay. So, you did the pickup order. Yeah. >> What time do you think you get back around? Noon. >> I can tell you. >> Okay. >> I told no. >> Have any of your kids had swim lessons before? >> Yes. >> What kind of What kind of swimming? Pool swimming. Is this your first time here in Panama City Beach? Yes. >> When did you guys >> I told them to just stay like up on the shoreline. When I left to go to Walmart, I told my girls stay on the >> shore. You you talked with Janelle. Janelle said, "Hey, I'll watch your kids for you." >> Watching them. Yes. >> But then you got back here >> and I called her >> and you called her and said, "Hey, I'm here with the groceries." >> Yeah. >> I'm here with the groceries. What do I need to do then? Then what happened? >> Uh she said she would come grab the groceries. >> And you said >> I said that I would go over here with the kids because we were supposed to swap out. >> What What was your thought on that? That you're going to wait that you were going to the kids here by themselves or you were not going to leave? >> I was at the car. She didn't want to leave the groceries in the car. So she said, "I'm going to run out and down." So I said, "Okay." As I was getting out the car, she said, "Oh, he pooped." So, I said, "Okay, well, I got to go change him then, obviously." >> Sure. >> Cuz he pooped. I can't smell, so I didn't know he pooped. But he was busting in the car. >> Okay. >> Unfortunately, those excuses only made the story more contradictory and confusing, complicating the situation further. >> But Janelle was supposed to be there with the kids the entire time. >> You called her and said, "Hey, I'm here." >> Yes. And then I realized he pooped and I said to him, >> but then she came up before you came back down >> and she was up there for 45 minutes >> or probably. Yeah. >> While your kids, your three daughters are down here unsupervised. >> I checked out I checked out the thing. I could see them out out there while I was changing him and then I was trying to hurry up and get the stuff in this bag and come back >> cuz the person who flagged the lifeguard down said that they were in the water by themselves. >> In the water. >> In the water. >> I saw them by the shoreline. >> Yeah. At one point they were in the water. I don't know. This right here >> in the green area of the water >> like right there where they are right now. >> Where are they at? No, they were >> they were farther out. Oh yeah. >> Yeah. See, I told them not to go that far. I'm sorry. >> And she said the currents pushing west. So they were >> and I told them not to go there. That's No, I told them to >> Yeah. So they were >> I understand. Yeah. >> I guess they went in kind of where we're straight where we're at now. But then they were getting pushed in. >> Yeah. That's your kids right there in the in the bank. >> Right there. See, this is as far as I told them they could go. This is as far I told them go farther than your legs. >> I don't know exactly how far out they were, but even that's way too far. It's lucky we didn't catch her driving cuz her license is suspended. Judging by that you said, "Yeah, we met at the car and I know you went to Walmart." I'm telling you right now, I catch you driving to jail. >> So, she says she got back at 12. She went to Walmart, did the Walmart pickup. Janelle said, "I'm going to stay here and I'm going to watch the kids." >> So, she gets back. She calls Janelle says, "Hey, I'm here with the I'm here with the groceries." And she says she was thinking that they were going to swap out. Janelle was going to take care of the groceries. She was going to come back down, but they weren't going to leave the kids alone. >> No, we weren't. And anyway, Janelle decides to come up and says, "Hey, it smells like your son." >> She told me when when I was getting out the car that it smelled like he pooped because I can't smell. >> She said she got back around 12:08 cuz that's what time she called Janelle. >> Why? When she got topside to help you at the car, >> I was supposed to come down here. >> But she's dealing with her 2-year-old >> the diaper. >> No one thought, "Hey, who's watching the kids?" >> She was supposed to come back. I thought she's been here lots of times, so I thought >> Janelle has been. >> Yeah, the rules are and stuff. Well, it's it's not the rules specifically about anything. It's the common sense. >> Oh, yeah. The water. Yeah. And I know you don't >> I don't I don't know how far >> classified as child neglect. >> Yeah. >> If you went to if you took your kids to the pool and you looked your kids at the pool, what would happen there? She says her kids are have had swimming lessons in for in a pool a pool setting, but not in open water. >> How long were they left alone? Total >> close to 40 minutes sounds like. At least we're not missing anybody. We're not out there pulling bodies out of the from the bottom >> because Beach and Surf already rounding them all up for us, >> right? >> The police continued gathering additional information from the parents involved. >> How long do you think they were in the water for? >> Over a half hour. >> How far out do you think they were? >> Oh god. >> Further than this kid right here. >> The one in the ponies. Y >> they are whales >> way out there. Oh, you see where those two are at? Right there. >> Uh >> closer. >> Quite that far, but pretty. >> So 50 ft. that the little one that he in his shirt in her tube and he just kept floating and floating and I went over and I said, "Hey buddy, why don't you come back over my for siblings?" I said, "Where's your mom?" He goes, "Well, she went to get food and we put him up here." And I'm thinking, "Okay, she's at the And then we brought him back over and then he just he kept going." But then he got lost, came up on the beach and he didn't know where his stuff was. >> And I and I saw him wandering. >> That's shark inner tube right there. >> Yeah. And I saw him wandering and I'm like, "Hey, come over here." And I introduced myself and I'm like, "I don't want you to get caught. Where's your mom?" Well, then the older siblings came out of me, talked to all of them. And I go, "Who's the oldest?" And the little the bigger girl. She's like, "I'm sorry." I go, "Honey, you're too young to be watching. This isn't on you." Like, nobody's paying attention. >> Yeah. At least you guys were paying attention to them. And we're not looking for six kids in the water right now, >> right? Well, the little ones down here right now. They're all over here. >> The little that little guy. Where's >> He's right here. Look at him. >> Where's Where's the Where's she at right now? >> Yeah. Right here. And they're all over here. Are you kidding me? He's just running. >> I think you need a leash for your kids, ma'am. >> Without delay, the police made their final decision, concluding the investigation phase with clear directions for action. >> One lady's going to get charged with >> Okay. >> Which is a felony. >> Y. >> All right. >> I guess I'll put her in my car. Miss Janelle, can you put some shoes on and a shirt? >> We're going to go have a talk up here. >> We're going to talk with her for a little bit. Okay. She is going to be coming with us. Okay. >> She'll be able to call you when she's ready to get out. >> That is being a great citizen, by the way. You know what? That way everybody else knows what's going on. that they know that we're out here and we have a zero tolerance. Okay. I don't normally like to do that in front of the kids, but you want to start your mouth. >> I want to say goodbye to my kids. >> I get it. And I don't blame you. >> You got everything you're going to need. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You can come and talk at the truck. Let's go. >> Phone's in her left front pocket there. >> It's going to sit up there with me. Sit down. >> Are you completely okay with letting her take care of your children or do we need to have DC up to come? No, she can. >> You're comfortable letting her take care of your kids? >> Yeah. She lived >> The mother identified as Janal was taken into custody and booked into jail on charges of child. Under Florida law, if convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison or probation along with fines of up to $5,000. Beaches carry risks like strong waves and rip currents, which can quickly overwhelm children if adults are not nearby. The beach story was already concerning, but in New Mexico, another situation highlighted the even more. >> Can I dare toing hearing you? Yes, it's playful. Yes, I don't give a >> On June 24th, 2024, Dona Anna County police in New Mexico received an urgent call about a 4-month-old in a hot car outside a Family Dollar with no air conditioning. They quickly arrived as witnesses recounted the incident. >> Okay, >> she's going to come outside. >> Okay, what happened? So, April, she used to be one of our residents. We got her evicted and then Linda felt bad because she's homeless right now with the baby and sometimes we take care of the baby. So, Linda said, "You stay at the house. Don't do drugs. Stay with the baby. Be a mom." Blah blah blah. >> The first night she stayed out till 5:00 cuz we had the baby. Yesterday she slept all day. And then today, the baby was crying on the little chair cuz she was wet. And so, we told her, "Come get your baby, change her." So, we could hear her screaming from the kitchen and then move over there. >> We're baking. Yeah, >> I acted like I was going to the bathroom. I didn't hear the baby and then I heard her like scream. So I walked in there. She had the baby like this and threw it on the bed. And then so I told her, I was like, "Let me have the baby." I was like, "Obviously you're >> just till she calms down, you know, whatever." And she was like, "No, no, you're not getting my baby." So I went to go grab her and she's like, "No." And she's like, "I'ming leaving." And then Linda and Rachel went in there. And then I >> That's when Rachel went reached for the baby and said, "Let me just have the baby and >> just to calm her down, get her out of the situation. grab her from this side, swing her across to the other side like >> Yeah. I held her hands down and I said, "Just calm down. Let them calm the baby down." Cuz baby was screaming. >> Oh yeah. >> And I said, "Just calm down." And she goes, "I'm the out of here." And I told her, "You need to calm down." She told me something like here or something. I told her, "You're lucky I don't hear you right now." I was holding her hands down, telling her just calm down. She goes, "I'm the out of here." And I said, "You want out of here?" I started grabbing her bags and I threw them out on my porch. I said, "Then get the out of here." Yeah. >> I said because the deal was she took care of the baby >> to stay sober cuz yeah I've dealt with April a couple times. >> So Friday night they told her you know what you get rest because of everything that happened Friday we'll kick the baby >> from the heat for being out there in 2 hours in the heat that her dad left her. >> They took the baby. I told her take a shower and you can calm down relax tonight they have the baby. Sheing calls for a ride and that was my first rule. Don't bring any crackhead to my house. So I don't know where she met him but she left. came back Saturday morning at 5:00 in the morning. >> Oh my god. Okay. >> And I was like, "You were supposed to get rest." >> Yeah. >> Not be out probably getting pregnant again. And I told her, "You can't keep your [ __ ] kids." I said, I said, "You need to take care of what you have now." I said, "And be a good mother." I said, "Right now, you're not being a [ __ ] good mother." I said, "You're being aing crackhead." So that's why she told everybody. They told me I'm no good and that I'm a piece of [ __ ] And I was like, you could read between the lines. Obviously, I don't have to tell you directly, but hey. When she started, I'm out of here. And I was like, "Well, I can't keep the baby." But they calm the baby down. They raise the baby every four days. They have the baby. >> How old is the baby? >> Five months. >> Five months. Okay. So, her older one got taken away, I'm assuming. >> This is her sixth kid, and she has no custody besides this one, which she gave me the insurance card. I have her social. The only thing I don't have of the babies is the birth certificate because she can't find it. >> Right. This officer, she's in training. She's going to get you guys' name and basic information. Cool. >> Shortly after, police approached the mother. Miranda writes were read and she began speaking about major losses in her life. >> Officer Bunnian, um, we just have to ask you a couple. You can stay sitting if you want. >> Okay. >> Yeah, you can stay seated. Just going to go ahead and Miranda, you okay? All right. We are investigating a fight. Before we ask you any questions, you must understand your right. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you 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 him present with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one for you if you wish. If you wish to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering questions at any time. >> Do you understand your rights? >> Why am I being Miranda when I was the one who had hands put on me? >> I can't ask you questions unless you understand your Miranda. Doesn't mean you're going to jail. I just have to ask you other questions. Do you understand your rights? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Do you want to talk to us? >> Yeah. >> Okay. What happened? >> I was trying to take a nap because tonight was supposed to be my last night there. I was supposed to find somewhere to go tomorrow. They bring me her, tell me to take care of her, but yet don't want me to [ __ ] hold her or be alone with her in the room so we can take a nap. If tonight's supposed to be our last night and I'm supposed to [ __ ] go somewhere on my own and I don't have any [ __ ] family. Obviously, we're on foot. My car blew up. I don't have any phone. I don't have no service on my phone. Okay. I was like, "Okay, you guys [ __ ] watch her. You guys hold on to her. I'm going to [ __ ] go take a nap." I go lay down. Oh, you gonna come in out here and it I was like, "No, I'm going to ride." I end up falling asleep because I'm not okay up here. I like I said, I just lost my dad. I lost the house. My car blew up. I just got relieved. I'm tired of being picked on nails. Ch told I'm going to get beat the up that they're going to suck me up if I don't get her to shut up or hand her over. Next thing I know, my hands are beinging crossed like this and they're grabbing my daughter out of mying hands as I'm on the bed. >> Why' they do that? Because I said I was going to call and find us a ride so we could get out of there and leave that we would just leave. I wanted her to just cry. She's a kid. She can cry a little bit. It's not like 4 hours later she's still crying. It wasn't even 30 minutes. Let her cry. >> How old is she? >> 5 months. Oh wow. Okay. She's young. >> Like I'm not kidding you. I'm not in the state of the mind to be told I'm going to get sucked up. that I'm going to give up or have people yell at me telling me I'm a piece of mom because I don't get up and change her ASAP. >> The mother completely denied the initial allegations from the witnesses. >> What happened with the baby on the bed? >> Had her like, "Okay, you don't have to demonst I don't want you shaking. >> I'm not going to. I was like, it's okay. It's okay. You're fine." I was sitting there perfectly fine letting her cry like this. They didn't like it before they walked in. I had her like this. So when she didn't stop, she was like this. We went like this far from a blank and I let her go. And they said I dropped her. They said I threw and dropped her to be exact. Okay. >> When I said no, I didn't. I know exactly what I did because I do it to her in her place. >> Does baby have formula? >> Yeah. >> It's all in the bag. All of our in bags. I don't know where it's all at. I just left as soon as I could cuz like I told him, I'm not in this. I'm not in this state of the mind right now to hear that I'm a piece of I just lost my dad. I just lost my car. I have family, but I don't have help. And all I wanted to do was leave. We could have left peacefully. There had to be no laying hands on my wrist. There could have been differently. So you said that when you put the baby down, is that when the whole >> That's when everybody came in. Is there a reason why they reacted like that? because they think I'm a piece of for what you arrested me for. >> Okay. >> When asked about her living situation, her emotions erupted as if society had turned against her. >> So, whose house did all this happen at? >> The landlord. >> And are you related to the landlord or just friends or what's what's the call it? >> What's the landlord's name? She was an acquaintance or friend of the >> I don't know what you want to label it. >> Okay. How long were you staying there? >> I was only supposed to stay this weekend. >> And your mom of your biological mom of Stevie, correct? Hi, little one. Hi. So, where are you headed to? Do you have somewhere you can stay? >> Yeah, but it's in town >> like in in >> Papa Miller. Mike Archeletta shop is where I was headed. >> And do you have somebody to come pick you up? >> They turn off the Wi-Fi or I could go [ __ ] call somebody to come get us cuz they want me toing struggle. >> And what house did this happen at? >> Where everybody's standing out at? Where the other officers at? >> All right. Where you're going to go? Do they have stuff that >> I mean, is it like all of our stuff? trying to get into the park so I can meet you guys there. >> Technically, I'm not even supposed to be up here. >> Okay. How come you're not supposed to be up here? >> My house has been evicted from my house. >> Where was your house at? >> 98. >> Okay. >> I cleared it with Linda if I could stay here. She said you can stay with me and then I get picked on name calls and I hearing you. Yes, it's playful. Yes, I don't give a something I need right now. I just lost my dad. My car blew up. >> Yeah, it sounds like you got some stuff going on. Okay, >> I'm not okay to hear all this every day. I'm trash. I don't do nothing. All I'm doing is everything for her. And they have my daughter's birth certificate, my diploma, my daughter uh social security card. >> Okay. And where where's that stuff at? >> At the assistant manager's house right here. >> Right up here. >> She's over there. Okay. I got another car seat. >> Okay. >> As the conversation deepened, more issues emerged. Living conditions, five other children, and information about the father facing legal troubles. >> You don't have a vehicle, correct? >> Nope. It blew up on the second of July. >> Okay. Or you have a Wi-Fi phone, but you don't have a phone to call somebody. Do you know somebody you can call? >> I don't have anything on me. It's all over there. >> Okay. Okay. >> It's either there or it's over there. >> Okay. Okay. So, you do have your phone. You just don't have it on you, correct? Yeah. >> Do you know somebody's phone number you can call and I can let you use my phone? >> If I find my phone. >> Okay. But that may take a minute. Okay. >> Because Linda threw my out before I could find everything and make sure I had everything. She threw it all out or before I could secure it all in a in their bag thrown. >> Okay. >> I'm tired of being I'm tired of hearing. Why help me if you think I'm soing selfish and useless? my help. Let's pretend [ __ ] >> April, we're away from that. So, let's We're away from that. Okay, I understand, right? Nobody's trying to change that. Okay, >> but we're away from that bad situation right now. Okay, so let's capitalize on that. You want to go down on Miller Street? Okay, then we're going to focus on getting you there. Okay. And is is is baby's dad involved at all or not? >> No. Adrien Lucero is actually got a DNA warrant for his arrest. >> Okay. Yeah. >> A warrant for his DNA. >> Okay. His car was taped the up the other day. He left us in his car for 2 and 1 half hours. >> Okay. >> In the >> Do you have any other children, April? >> I have five. >> She's the only one in my care right now. >> Okay. >> I was so close to getting the other three back in my care, but no. I lost. >> Okay. And did you say that there is a car seat up there? >> There's two. There's either one over there or over here. >> Okay. So, you do have one with you? >> Yep. I have two of Okay. >> One's over there in their possession. I only got one of them. One's pink, one's black, >> but we need one to get baby going somewhere safe. Right. >> Pink one's right back over there. >> Okay, cool. >> Even so, the mother refused help and dismissed the officer's advice. >> So, what do you think needs to happen today, April? >> Get me the hell out of here. >> Okay. Anything else? Or just just be done with it? >> Yep. Just be done with it. >> Okay. >> I just had a child. I just lost my dad. I just got out of jail. My car just blew up. Nobody understands where my head ends at. >> It sounds like you're going through a lot. So, April, would you like to talk to a therapist or something? Okay. How come? >> It doesn't help. >> Are you? >> Cuz it's only up to you and what you're going to actually do. Nobody can help you with it. >> Okay. >> I've dealt with it for years. >> The situation required official intervention and the police proceeded with the necessary steps to ensure the child's safety. >> Here, I got to move out the back. That's fine. Just sit her in there for a minute, baby. Okay. >> Wait. Why? >> Why? I didn't do anything. She touched me. All I was doing was leaving. >> Can you call Carrie to come get baby? Who's Carrie? She's a teacher at PMS. >> What's that phone number? Oh, it's in one of my phones. >> Okay, we'll look into that. Okay. >> Do you know her last name? >> Oh, I can't think of it right now. But I do not want her up here. Well, she's not going to stay up there. >> Why am I being arrested for why? >> How? We're going to go this. >> Will you explain to me how, please? >> How? >> April, you'll get all of the copies of everything. >> I now see why. I shouldn't have listened to you guys. >> He's going to search you. Okay. You know anything that's going to poke out? >> No. I don't think so. >> You don't have needles or anything? >> I shouldn't. Okay. >> Great. >> So, passenger side over here, >> right? >> I don't want her staying up here. >> She's not. >> And I want my diploma and my kids' socials out of their care and the other car seat. >> And you'll be able to do all that with a civil standby. Okay. But I'm not going to go in their house and grab all that. They're going to provide at least I think their social and insurance card >> accident. >> Before taking the mother to the station, police completed the remaining procedures and ensured the child's safety. >> I mean, if they have some of her stuff, like her person stuff, if they're okay keeping it, >> then we'll have a civil standby and then she can get it later. You'll have them call. So, >> as long as they're >> Yeah, I'll go talk with them real quick. >> Will you just hang out with >> I'll hang out with baby. >> Baby's getting really fussy and red. No little concern. >> Yeah, for sure. Okay. Yeah, I'll hang out with baby and then we've got >> she's going to jail. >> This is the long process that I might be asking a huge favor from you guys. So, we have to call CFD >> um for them to come get KDO. Would you guys be willing to let baby hang out here? >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Long time no see. Take these off and give them back. >> Hell no. How are you? >> The 28-year-old mother was arrested on charges of child endangerment and booked into Dona Anna County detention center. According to court records, she was later released on a $5,000 bail. Children are always fragile and vulnerable. Just a few minutes left in a hot car or under the supervision of an overwhelmed mother can pose risks to their health and safety. Oklahoma will close today's story with a mysterious call from a neighbor. >> What's the location of your emergency? >> My neighbor has left her. I don't know if it was one of her babies or both of her babies home alone and he's inside screaming at the window and she's not there. Maybe two years old. No, he's like one and a half maybe. >> And they're in 146. >> I check the door and it's locked. I can't get to him. And he's like super scared. He's screaming murder in the window. >> And you saw the parent leave? >> No, I didn't see her leave but she's not there. Um her car is gone. In March 2025, police received a call reporting a boy of about 18 months unattended in an apartment. The caller confirmed the mother was not home and her car was gone. Police promptly arrived and carried out a welfare check to ensure the child's safety. >> Okay. >> Neighbor next door said she just found out or she just realized the car was in here. >> This diaper is about 3 cents too small for you. >> Yeah, it is. >> You're wearing wearing sissies. So, we got What have we done so far? We just cleared the house and got her out. >> Okay. He got out cuz we opened the window and he climbed out before us. Okay. >> Home still wasn't coming the door. So, we could clear the house. She was upstairs laying by the door just crying. >> Yeah. >> Don't tell the home. Okay, >> that's kind of as far as we've gotten. Just got some clothes. >> Okay. Do we know mom's name by any of the neighbors? >> Jazzy. >> Jazzy. >> Mom next door. >> Mhm. >> Outside of the pink and white striped dress. >> Yep. >> Has she said she has >> Okay. No, she's got like slippers. >> Push push push. >> You do you have mom's info? >> Is you Jasmine Fraser? >> Okay. the neighbor next door. >> No way she did that. >> Wow. Okay. Kind of small. This is a good >> pictures, but that's her name. I haven't found her phone number. >> You have not? Okay. >> Yeah. No, I don't have it. I used to, but um her phone's been shut off and then her boyfriend took her phone. >> W Yeah. >> Yeah. I used to live right there and we could hear her beat her kids to the wall. So, we've had to call a couple times. >> Meadows, can you grab her >> Yeah. >> info real quick and we'll just go to the station. >> And I told the dispatcher that I wanted to remain anonymous. I didn't want her to know that I >> I got you. When's the last time you saw her here? >> Last night. But doesn't mean she wasn't here today. >> Sure. What she drives? >> She drives a small white uh Dodge. I don't It's not a Dodge uh Charger or anything that's common. No power. >> The situation became more serious when police found the house without electricity, forcing them to intervene to ensure safety. >> Fridge 479. >> Wow. Brand new fridge. Nothing in it. Where's this dress? Cupboard. All right. Well, I'll take this one. Bubba, time for you to go. D in. Okay. >> Are you going to take both of them? >> I can. >> Are you okay? >> Yep. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's okay. Oh, okay. >> Okay. Going to do any good? They probably don't understand what's going on, do they? >> No. >> Okay. I don't hear anything over here. >> Oh, maybe. >> Let me get uh Okay. You coming out? >> Can you walk? Coming this way, cop. Okay. Uh come with us. Okay. You want to walk? >> Grab these. Yep. Grab some pictures. >> Police cars. Hop diggity. Come here. Come here. Come here, baby. >> You got a runner. >> We got a runner. Hi. Oh, you want to be held? >> About an hour later, the mother arrived at the detention center looking for her child. Her appearance quickly became the catalyst for her being taken into custody. [Music] Hello. >> Are you Jasmine? >> Okay. Do you have your ID with you? >> Where do you work? >> You went to work at 5. >> What was your plan? I was just like I didn't mean to do that. Like I didn't have anybody else >> to watch. So I've never done this before. And so the food was it was all problem and stuff. So I just like threw it out and I was going to get more. It wasn't like my intention to just do it automatically. >> Mhm. We went and got food for them. They're chowing it down. Their diapers were dirty. They were crying. They had one of them, the boy climbed out the window. So um you know that's unacceptable. That's childct. So, anything else we need on it? No. Okay. So, stand up. You're going to jail. Face away from me. Put hands behind your back like you're praying on your back. Are you lucky they're not dead? You're lucky that they didn't get killed after something like that or burn the house down. No power. There's no food. Okay. All right. You're going to go with this officer right here. [Music] >> Um, just so you know, that your your kids are going to be okay. DHS is coming. They're they're going to be taken care of. >> Good night. I hope you sleep. >> Uh, I don't think that's for you right now. [Music] Yeah. No. >> 32 10:15. >> Miranda rights were read and many important details began to emerge. At this point, the defense of this has never happened before was repeated, creating a tense and questioning atmosphere. >> Hey, Jasmine, I got to read you your rights. Okay. You got the right? Uh, it's okay. You have the right to remain silent to make a statement. You can exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. You understand those rights? Okay. Having those rights in mind that I just read to you, do you want to tell me what happened today? >> Um, so >> yes or no? >> Oh, yes. >> Okay. All right. So, you went to work at 5? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. At Torches. Okay. So, what was the plan? I mean, the kiddos, we saw the little laundry basket blocking their way out. Were they asleep? >> I feel like I accidentally put that there. I didn't. It wasn't just me right there. So, like I made sure that they were okay. I made sure that they were fed and everything. All the food that was in there was rotten and stuff. So, I end up throwing it out. >> Okay. >> What did you feed them? >> Um, I fed them what was it? Oatmeal and stuff. >> Okay. What time? >> So, it was the morning time and then I gave them some more oatmeal just kind of like Oreos and snacks for a little bit, but I wasn't going to be there that long >> at work. Yes. >> Okay. So, what time did they last eat if you had to guess? >> I would say maybe around like three. >> About three. >> Like Yeah. Before I like kind of like headed out. Like I made sure that they were okay. >> Okay. What time did you leave? >> Five. >> Five. You left at 5? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, were they asleep when you left? >> Yes, I >> Okay. Where were they sleeping? >> In their bed. >> Have you ever left them alone before? >> This is like literally I just didn't have any help. But wait, I was just trying to go to work. It wasn't like I was trying to >> I got you. >> Who do you normally call? >> Call my sister, but she was at work. >> Sister. >> Okay. Anybody else ever watch them? >> Just my sister. >> Okay. So, were you planning to work till 10, though? >> When were you going to try and leave? >> Early as possible, but like >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. Do you have any questions for me? >> Okay. >> Um, actually, I do. >> Okay. Go ahead. Um, as far as it's like neglect, like I've never had anything like that. Um, but >> so it's two is two counts of cuz you got two little kiddos there. >> Yeah. >> That uh had no way if something god forbid. >> Yeah. >> Something caught on fire, one of them drowned in the tub, anything like that, you could be looking a lot worse. >> Um, so it's two counts of child and you're going down to Oklahoma County >> and you'll see a judge and a judge will set you blonde. >> Good. Okay. I guess your son's dad is coming from Lton and we're trying to find somebody for your daughter. >> Is that right? >> I don't know. DHS was making some phone calls. I'm not sure. But that's kind of where we're at. >> So, somebody will transport you here in a little bit. Is that phone numbers that you need or something? >> Okay. All right. Any any questions? >> Is that it? >> I don't know like how many years is that? >> Uh, it's up to a judge, all that stuff. The most the most that's going to happen probably is you you won't have custody of your kids for a while till they can figure out this is not a common thing. >> The mother was arrested and booked into Oklahoma County detention center on two counts of child. Under Oklahoma state law, if convicted, she could face up to 2 years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. This story once again reminds us that children do not choose their parents and adults lack of care can have a profound impact on their childhood. After witnessing these stories, it's clear that children do not choose their parents, but they always need adult supervision and care to stay safe and grow up healthy. Whether on a Florida beach, in a hot car in New Mexico, or an apartment without electricity in Oklahoma, thankfully, they were rescued in time. If you found this video helpful, please like, share, and subscribe to help spread these important messages, and we'll see you in the next videos. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music]