Your username was little gay bear 37. >> You lying. YOU LYING THOUGH. YOU LYING, >> MA'AM. >> What do you think is more concerning? Online risks or conflicts within the family. No. The most [music] concerning reality is when children are forced to witness it all in silence with no [music] one stepping in to protect them. >> If it was more serious, you'd be in handcuffs right now. Okay. >> She got mad on the back. He got on his back. And when I ran up the stairs, they were already fighting and I removed them. >> The four real life cases below explain why authorities can never afford to ignore the earliest warning signs. A seemingly ordinary phone became a critical piece of evidence, revealing a serious case involving a 12-year-old child. On June 11th, 2025, police were dispatched to an apartment after receiving an online alert regarding concerning interactions between an adult educator and a minor. At the scene, relevant electronic devices were secured for further examination. Hello. >> Hey, you Carson. >> Yeah. >> Hey, I'm Detect Band. Please. Mind if I come in and talk to you real quick? >> Can I put some put some toys on first? >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. Yeah. >> I'll be right back. >> Okay. >> Sorry to keep you waiting. >> That's all right. I need to get some of these things from my house. Keep the birds nest off the porch. >> My roommate's too right now. >> Okay. I just want to talk to you inside. I don't want to put your information out public. It's your choice whether we talk or not outside or >> Yeah. Can we do it out here? >> Okay. Yeah, absolutely. >> So, what I'm going to ask from you is two things. So, I'm doing an investigation right now that you're involved in. Okay. I'm going to ask if you would allow me to see your bedroom to see if if you're the one who's involved or if I'm on the wrong path. >> Okay. >> Okay. Can we do that? >> Sure. >> Okay. I appreciate it. >> Oh, you got a nice place. Mhm. >> There's no one else in here, right? Okay. Do you have your cell phone with you right now? I do. Okay. Do you have any other computers, laptops, anything like that? >> Uh here. >> Yeah. >> Is this a work one? >> Yeah. Do you mind if we take this with us? Is just work? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Do you mind if we Does this belong to the UVI? Yeah. >> Okay. You mind if we take this with us? No. >> All right. So, I'm going to have to have you come down the police department. We're going to have a talk. Okay. Once we get there, I'll explain everything. Nothing to be all worried about. Okay. We just have to make sure that everybody's okay. Welfare checks. No one's hurt. No one's that type stuff. Okay. >> Fair enough. >> Is there any animals or anything that needs taken care of before we take off? >> If it was more serious, you'd be in handcuffs right now. Okay. So, >> do you need to photograph anything in there? >> No. Okay. >> Um, do you have your cell phone? Yeah. Okay. any wallet keys or anything like that? >> All right. So, because you're going to my truck, I do have Make sure you don't have weapons on you. Okay. But I'm going to do it here so we're not out in public like that. Miss your cell phone. Okay. You don't have any razor blades or anything in here? >> No. >> I'm going leave your cash where it's at. Just make sure there's no razor blades and put it back in. All right. I'm in a truck over here. Okay. Hey Sarge, can you stand by with him for just a second? Saying let know about the text messages came through. Oh, it was just the roommate. I don't know if wants us to talk to the roomate or >> Yeah, I can sit back and riding back pain. >> Yep. >> Actually, I think we're going to have him get in. He's going to watch for just a second while I talk to you. >> He can sit in the front in the front. Yep. >> I'm pretty sure that was a roommate just texted him. You need anything? You need me to do anything? So, do you want one of us standing back and talk to her mate? We're going to The review revealed that an online account named Little Gay Bear 37, [music] active on April 7th, 2025, had engaged in exchanges that violated acceptable boundaries with a minor. >> My understanding you just got back from vacation. Uh, I was in on the East Coast for some professional um music performances that I was >> Oh. >> involved in. >> Oh, okay. Cuz you're originally from Pennsylvania. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then you just finished your doctor degree. >> Uh, I'm currently one more year left. >> Oh. Oh. For some reason, I thought you would like definitive dissert. I don't I'm not a smart guy. So, I thought when you do your dissertation, like that's the end. You don't do anything else. I said once we get up here, we'll go through everything. Like I said, if it was if it was serious, she'd be in handcuffs right now. We just have to make sure nobody's no one's injured. Just go straight in. There's going to be a room there on the right. Just have you have a seat over against the wall on that far side. Um, can I get you water or anything? Sure. >> Okay. Get you a bottle of water. I got to leave this here. This new law came out 2 years ago. Okay. >> All right. I hope the sign is good. That's all I drink. Sure. So, here's what I'm here for today. So, not only am I a detective here for the city of Urbana, I'm also part of the task force for the Illinois Crimes Against Children for the State of Illinois, Illinois Attorney General's Office. Okay? My main goal is to make sure there's no kids that are in um have been victims, been stuff like that. Okay? That's my main goal here. I need honesty though because I started chasing some of these people down. I haven't been able to talk to everyone. I don't know everyone you've had contact. Okay? If someone's in or someone's been a victim, it will be kind of a big deal. Okay? I'll let you know that. Um, we all have fantasies. We all do stuff online. I've been doing this for a long time. Trust me, I sit on this side of the table probably once a week. Okay? Nothing you'll say will surprise me, will make me think any sort of way. All right? I get it. I've been there, done that. All right? So, it came across um how it initially came across before I started investigating and finding more was uh Snapchat sent us a report. So, anything that's done online is traceable, right? You see the traceable by verified accounts, IP addresses, uh keywords within people's uh messages, how people talk. We all have a certain way in which we talk. So I'm sure like with music, certain musicians have a certain way in which they play that makes them unique from other the technology and AI now allows us to be able to identify people through all this stuff. But Snapchat sent us a thing saying back in April 7th, 2025, you had a Snap account. Um, at that time your username was Gaybot or I'm sorry, your username was Little Gay Bear 37. You've also used um, Gay Daddy and some other ones. Um, you had a conversation with a young man. I think he said he was 12 years old at the time. You asked if he, you know, liked it, liked older guys or whatever. And you guys going through some explicit conversations, whatever. So when this comes, when something like this comes through, so what happens? Snapchat by law is required to report that type stuff, right? Then it goes to Neckmech. Neckmech is I don't know you're you're probably old enough you're not my age yet but back in the day when you had a missing kid and they put their face on a milk carton right that was neckmech the national center for missing exploited children so nec handles all these and they find out generally roughly the geographic area it happens and so in this case happened in Illinois so they sent it to Illinois attorney general's office my boss there then sees kind of what town it occurred in and then in this case it's Urbana so he calls me and says hey we need to look into this we need to find out if there's any victims out there anyone someone needs counseling someone who needs victim services stuff like that. Okay. So, once I got it, then we get with Snapchat and say, "Hey, Snapchat, here's what we got going on. I need all the records." And Snapchat says, "Okay, here you go." So, Snapchat said, "Send us a bunch of records. I've been working with uh Kentucky. There's a town of Kentucky. That's where this boy's from. We had to identify who he was, make sure that there was no contact, right, and he wasn't victimized." And he said, "No, it was some online stuff. Um just some chats back and forth, just some words, some fantasies, you know." So, I was like, "All right, cool." The concern is now after getting stuff back from Snapchat, we're talking there's multiple people, right? And some we've identified, some we haven't. So, if this reminds you this is the boy in Kentucky. That's what you sent him. Does that look familiar? I mean, it's okay, but we just have to get to the bottom of this. >> Okay. >> Do I need a lawyer? >> It's your choice. >> I think I prefer a lawyer, please. >> No. Fair enough. I'm going to respect that. What I will ask is, is there anything on your phone that's going to surprise me? I don't think so. >> Okay. Uh you want to go through it together? >> I'm not sure. >> Your choice. We can go through it together. If you don't want to, that is your choice. I'm not trying to tell you one way or the other how to do anything. I do have probable cause for a search warrant. Okay? So, I will, you know, if you don't want to, that's fine. I'll respect that, right? But then it will stay with me until I get a search warrant, go through it. If there's anything of evidentiary value, it'll stay with me till the end of the case. >> Does it make a difference in terms of like if I go through it with you or not? If there's nothing on, you can have it back now. Same with your laptop. You know, you say it's your work laptop. If there's nothing on there and you want to go with it so I can verify there's nothing on there, you can have it back cuz you know, I don't know if you need that for whatever you're doing, paper or whatever. Um, so your choice. I don't care either way. >> All right. I'll go through with you. >> Okay. Let me let me go get them real quick. All right. >> Mhm. Information recovered from personal [music] devices gradually clarified the situation, providing sufficient grounds for officers to proceed [music] in accordance with established procedures. >> So, understanding you said you want an attorney, so I'm not going to ask you any questions. You don't have to go through this with me if you don't want to. Understand that. Okay. Is that something you want to do or not? >> Uh, if it will, >> if there's nothing evidence of value, you can have this laptop back. >> Yeah, I'm happy to go through. What about your phone? >> What about it? >> What's the password for your phone? Is there Is it okay to search your phone or not? >> Go for it. >> Is this the only phone you have? >> Yes. messages. >> All right. So, I do have enough. I'm going to keep hold of this. Okay. This you can have back. >> Mhm. >> Um, just hang out here for a few. I'll be right back with you. >> You let me search it. Do you give me permission to download it or do you want me to get a search warrant? >> Um, >> your choice. >> You can download it. >> What's that? >> You can download it. >> You sure? Yeah. >> I don't want you feel like you're forced or anything. >> Uh, >> yeah, you can download it. Okay. All right. Car person, since we didn't have the opportunity to explain any of it away, you are going to have to go to jail today. Okay. So, need you go ahead and stand up for me. I'm going to put that in our evidence and then you can collect that when you get out. Okay. Got broad shoulders. I'm going to use two pairs of handcuffs so they don't get your shoulders. Okay. Walk out this way for me, please. Just going to go straight to this door back to the elevator. So, one thing I will ask for safety reasons only. Do you have access to any children? >> No. Step in, please. >> So, just let you know, you'll be booked in on indecent solicitation of a child, full exploitation of a minor, and possession of child victim under 13. Uh, video. Initially, 38-year-old Carson [music] Zadel was charged with indecent solicitation of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and possession of illegal explicit material involving a minor. After verification, the suspect was arrested and held without bond at the county jail. [music] Investigators continued reviewing digital records and coordinating with federal authorities. 3 months later, the case was transferred to the federal level [music] where a grand jury issued formal charges on two counts of receipt and one count of transferring obscene material to a minor. Every message, [music] image, secondary account, or even deleted data can be recovered. In the digital world, [music] nothing truly disappears and every trace carries real world consequences. >> Man, I'm so sick and [ __ ] on she violated restraining order and they ain't done nothing to her yet. >> This is not sensational news. This reflects the everyday reality of children growing up amid uncertainty within their own homes. On the evening of January 30th, 2023, officers received a call reporting a serious family disagreement between a married couple. Officers responded quickly and met the mother at a nearby store where she described repeated boundary crossing behavior by her husband that she said affected both her and the children. internet. So, tonight he came because he had his uh phone carrier insurance or something coming to meet him at the house to bring him a new phone. Why would you come to the house to bring you a new phone if you got a hotel for start but he put his hands on me and then he did and the people got here. I walked out. I have kids in the truck. The truck is both we're still married. We're not legally separated. The truck is mine. both. All right. So, I went out to the truck to get my phone and that's how I got to call you guys. But I don't have no service right now. So, I'm having to call 911. You can call it without service. And I have internet at the house. He put his hands on me. He bowed my daughter up. He literally My daughter was telling, "Daddy, get away from us. Get away from us. We don't want you." Because he scared her yesterday. He terrified me. She And he's telling her, "Throw something at me. Throw something at you. You want taunting her. A 5-year-old is not You're five. You know, you already know the situation. I'm sure you've been around me enough to know a couple times you've been around me. >> So, I guess my question is, let's >> tonight what he did was he put his hands on me, pushed me down, and he pushed he had my daughter bow into a corner. What are you going to do? What are you going to do on my 5-year-old child, scared her to stomp my kids' remote control cars, crushed them in front of in front of my son. I have 5-year-old twins, boys and girls. Crushed them. My my son is he's my my son that's his idol. His daddy is the idol. When his son he's doing that to him that broke my son's heart. So I when he started taking the TVs out of the house. I'm like what the hell are you doing? You're taking the kids' TVs. They don't have nothing. They're home all week from school because there's no school made because of the weather. You're going to take the TV. They don't have nothing. Why are you taking the TV? You got a whole You got money in your car. We have nothing. I have nothing. I'll be private. He should do what he wants. But I paid I bought I already paid for my kids to see I want for them to have something to keep him occupied. Okay, that's what the point is. The night you came in with the assurance guy, the garage wire come here to bring him a new clothes and rubbing in our faces that he's got money that he's in a hotel room with his girlfriend. Why didn't you just meet the guy at your hotel room with your girlfriend instead of coming in blowing up on my daughter and blowing up on pushing me to the ground and ling? Idiot. It is. And I know and I realize that I realize that. But what's the point when you hurt people? >> I've been homeless since all this happened. I was staying down. The guy that I was staying with, we have now we have no contact with the women. So that's the only thing with because he put his hands on me and I had so I've been here and he was daddy was court with me the other day on some of my court hearing we've been good we've been all of a sudden out of the blue I don't know what he's been doing honestly he came home earlier looking for his meth But no longer but you know everything's fine as far as that goes. He put his hand on me last night. I wanted to call you last night. I could my daughter. She's only five, you know, a 5-year-old. He doesn't know why. But the thing is he came in tonight. He put his hands on me again telling me I needed to leave the house because him and his girlfriend house and uh I didn't belong there. But yeah, he's left me there all day and all night with my kids telling me the van's not going to be running for daycare no more this week uh because of the snowstorm or whatever. And okay, well, it's they're not going to be running. Told the landlord that I'm not on the lease cuz she's going to come put me out tomorrow. That's fine. I'll leave. I don't have a problem. I was gone before I came home. You invited me back home when when the baby got. But why are you going to do that if you're going to keep putting your hands off our children? Tonight he put his hands on him. He put his hands on my daughter. He both her into a corner >> like she was an adult. >> There's no damage. >> No. No. Not right now. But she'll let you know that he did her head >> yesterday. She'll tell you. I mean, she's not going to lie. She's very very blunt. She's very She's a very very intelligent, smart 5-year-old daughter. Me. Um. Yeah. But it's not working. Yeah. And then I have an internet number. Hold on. I'll show you. I don't even know where internet is at his house over internet, but he had my phone call. Like I said, I had to sneak into the truck to get my phone tonight. That's all because I was in that apartment. I just want to make a record as we're recording. Okay, stop it right there. >> As attention initially focused on the mother's account, the father's statement shifted the perspective significantly. Visible marks on his body made the situation far more complicated than it first appeared. >> What's going on you, James? Tell what's going on, James. Man, you bet you're not supposed to be here. Not only that, change the locks on my door. I don't know how she she bust this door open before. Come here. Let me show you. >> Okay. >> Dude, that's ice out there. That ain't ring. >> Yeah. >> See that? >> Yeah. Coming right here. >> Yeah, man. >> With that. >> So, when was this? >> This was pretty. [laughter] >> Yeah. So, this was tonight. >> Yeah. And then and then she and I had Alexis. She messed that up. >> Okay. >> Now she out there trying to mess with my title. Man, I'm so sick. And she done she done violated restraining order and they ain't done nothing to her yet. And she's crazy. >> So what what started all this today? >> She wants to come back in here. >> So she came over here today. >> Yeah, she came over here today. >> What time was it? >> Came here early this hush. Hush. Early this morning. >> If you know what? If I don't let her in, this is the way I feel. But I'm trying to get along with her. I don't let in, she be out there. I know she ain't standing up in here, but we just can't get along. I don't want in here no more. >> And the more I try to talk to her, I leave out here. It's cold and she's sitting up there. She ain't got nowhere to go. >> Right. I thought she said she was homeless. >> She's been homeless since I met her. For me, she would have had no place to stay. >> So, how long she been over here? How long she been over here? >> A couple days. Couple days. >> Couple days. Hungry. Tired. I mean it just wore out. I feel sorry for her mama. But I'm trying to get along with it, but she she took it all wrong. Oh, we getting back together. I made it clear to her. It ain't like that. So you go [ __ ] You got to get out of here. What? I said you talking about call the police. >> She ain't called y'all yet. >> She Well, she talking to another deputy right now. What? She been on here a couple days. What happened today that that guy got had to get ping to leave? >> So you told her to leave today? >> Oh yeah. She get mad. >> Oh yeah, she she want to get back together and I don't I can't deal with that no more. She done to all my cars. >> Hey hey hey [laughter] >> stay there. >> What? What else happened there? What else happened? >> I just wanted to leave. I got you. >> Go cuz she's going to get me out of here. >> What led to her grabbing broom and >> telling her to get out? Five area. Hey, >> mine. >> I know that your balloon. >> Mine. >> I'm trying to talk. >> The father stated that the marks were self-inflicted by his wife and later used as part of her claims. He explained that this ongoing conflict had led him to initiate separation proceedings multiple times, though the process had repeatedly stalled. >> I was I was trying I said, "You know what? You're going to make me put the police on you." And if every time I call the police when she's in here saying they come, I'm telling you, man, she go herself and all that stuff, man. Police walk here and see her all up. Guess who going to jail? Me. >> You got driver license. >> Driver's license. >> She got there with truck on the truck. She told my electric nice and she just put everything in the in the tank and >> and and it's ruined now. She's trying to tear it up cuz I won't get back pain in my head. >> And and she's all out there screaming and holling. >> And you So do you got a protection order against her or something? >> No, it's not expired. >> Okay. >> It expired. And then the landlord over here, the they got new mans. The old landlord had her bar away from him when she found out that that he was gone. >> Uhhuh. Boy, they can't stop cuz he could have stopped you. Isaiah did >> what's a good photo for you. >> All I'm telling her to leave you. You need to go. And she took her. I was walking toward the door. I said, "You know what? I'm not going to argue with you in here. I'm not going to fight with you in here." And when I walk away, walk to the door, she me with that bone. Don't say that damn. She's on She's on bun now. Little >> bun. Yeah, she's not on bun. >> She said something about the kids. What happened with the kids? >> What happened with the kids? She threw his what? She That's why he talking about his little monster truck. She threw it at me. You want to throw his no more? >> Yeah, I got you. >> And he got mad. [laughter] See that kind of bull. I don't need her up in here, man. I'm trying trying to be nice. Being a nice guy to that rat boy ain't going to do no good man. >> How long y'all been separated? >> I done filed for a divorce now. We've been separated for what? 2 or 3 years. >> Are y'all divorced? >> No. Our divorce is still pending because they trying to get evaluation cuz she gets locked up and court time come. You know, you can't divorce nobody while they lock. They trying to get her to do evaluation by the brain. And I can lose I'm losing everything cuz she loses this, >> right? >> Cuz I got two kids. I I take care of people. I take full care. I make that do run to sleep, drank like a fish, and then she come here, stand at the door. Please let me in. Please let me in. I'm cold. I'm girl. And hey, you little bandit. And then when I don't let in, I wake up next morning, man, my car is upside down, all all tires on a flat. I'm sick of this woman. I know if I go out there and try to stop her and put hands on her, I know what's going to happen. So, what do I do? >> Get that train order back. >> She done violated two >> and ain't been locked up yet. They lock her up and they let her back out and she come right back. >> Hold on. Give me one second. >> Oh, I got one. She >> She can't take these kids. She can't do nothing. >> She was here for a couple days. He then he wanted her to leave. She got mad, grabbed a broom on the back. He got a on his back and uh she threw one of the kids toys. That's what that's when he broke the toy cuz she tried to throw it at him. And that's what we >> The mother maintained that the children were fearful of their father. However, observations at the scene showed they to be energetic and not hesitant around him. >> No, I haven't got a chance to yet, [music] man. >> Holes in the door, ho in that door. >> So, the reporting offic just get she getting done talking to her now. >> But, u clearly a reporter is going to be doing this. I'll get a copy of this report, take it to the pro attorney's office, let them know what's going on, what you had. They get that uh protection on the back place to where she can't come. I know he said she come back over here anyway, but you got to stop letting >> man what I'm going to do about my she done it before. >> SHE TOLD ALEXA ABOUT I GOT I got a police report in MY POCKET RIGHT NOW. And the police told me he said because y'all illegally man you know I can get you a police report. So, what am I going to do? >> Yeah, that's another thing. You got to get separated from it, too. >> I filed for divorce. I got to I don't know if that's called a legal separation. [screaming] >> I mean, >> it's a process to get legal. >> Tell me more than what I need to do. >> Well, I mean, you been the divorce part. I mean, I I know it's going to sound like, you know, you know, fall on de let let y'all come over here. >> No, I mean, so she's coming over here to report an officer. So, if she make the arrest on her, then you know, that's >> Well, I hope so. That way I can SLEEP IN THE HOUSE. >> I got you. >> I don't care if y'all let out in the morning. I just want I got to be peeping out the window [snorts] all night long cuz I can't run out there >> and leave them in here. >> How often do you come over here trying to come in? I see you had her over here a couple like every chance she get. Man, you know what? Trying to that girl s my kids they see her. She's sick right where they can see her. If I pass by, they go please. She not there. I walk up walk up. I have one of my neighbor and watch the kids. >> I walk up there. It's cold. She's sitting up there balling. >> I think I saw her earlier today up on the corner right here. >> Today I think so. I can't remember >> today. >> She been here with the kid. She was up there a day >> like right here on this like this. You know when you turn down here that little right there by the front office pretty much. >> I I may be wrong. I want to say that was her, but from the jacket she had me in the back with like he did with the blue [laughter] and he was >> make one of the >> All right. Okay, baby. >> That's probably up. >> Bruise up. The police. [laughter] >> No, I haven't. >> Stop. >> So, >> she's got it. So, >> I ain't put no scratches on that girl Nick. I ain't done nothing to that woman. I'm running from her. >> SO SHE GOT HOME to her and SHE TOLD her >> she just >> after reviewing all statements and available information, officers determined that the mother's explanations were not sufficiently [music] supported, leading her to face formal legal accountability. my first behind me. What did I do? >> Uh, well, he's got a bruise on his back. >> I got to my throat. Talk to my 5-year-old daughter. >> I did and they said you want to brew. >> Did she tell you what he did to me? Why I did that? Because he was hitting. >> Would you go ask my daughter? >> I already talked to your daughter and I talked to your son. Turn around for me. >> Okay, I am. Would you ask him what he was doing to deal? He was hitting them with a broom and I took the broom away from him because he took their TVs out of the house and crushed their toys. >> Okay. Well, it's his property. He can do what he >> Yes. And I left the property. I left the property. Would you go ask my daughter if that's what happened? Would you please? And I didn't hit him with the broom. I pushed him away with the broom. I didn't even touch I didn't touch him. I didn't touch. Ask my daughter. Will you ask my daughter? Just ask her. Please. >> No. No. No. No. No. No. Ask her what? What happened? What he did to her? >> You have anything on you? >> No, ma'am. I don't. But would you please just do that for me? Please scratch your face. Arrest him for me and call me. Did she tell you that? I want him arrested too then. Please. He stole my phone and I could not call you, ma'am. And I told you that. Please. Please. Can I have him arrested for what he did to me? And he's not. >> No, he doesn't. >> He has a on his back. >> No, he does not. That's his girlfriend was with him. >> Go ask my kids again. Go ask him again, please. what he did to me last night and what he did to my daughter, what he did to her tonight. He was crushing your poison. He was seeing my children. He was my children. Go ask my daughter. Please ask her again. Please. Please. Just go ask her. >> Can you turn around? >> Please. Would you please talk to your daughter? >> Ask her again. >> Ask what he did last night and what he did today and why mommy was like that. Ask him why mama was protecting them. I was protecting my children. >> You said they're scared and they don't seem very scared of me. >> Because they love him. They're scared of him now because they're not going to say nothing because he's in there with them. Why do you think I walked up there? Why do you think I Why would I walk up there if I did something wrong? >> Come on. Have a seat for me. All right. >> But would you please, please? I'm sliding. Please, please, please, please, please. Would you please? I'm begging you. >> I am begging you. Just go and talk to him one more time. Please go talk to him one more time. >> Would you, ma'am? Because I don't want my kids left here with him. I came up there to talk to you guys because I was protecting him. Please just go talk to him. Ask him what they did last night. >> The father continued to express concern, noting that several household items, including valuable belongings, [music] were damaged during the ongoing conflicts. >> Like like he said last night, she was cussing him out. He left. He got in the truck and left. >> I slept in my truck last night. I slept in my truck last night. >> Okay. You want to do it out here in the house? >> I'm sorry. >> I Hey, hey, hey. Y'all want to go with this? >> Is it James? >> Be quiet. >> Yeah. >> Come back, you little widow. >> What's your name of birthday? And my neighbor right there, he knows he see everything. SHE WENT TO >> I slept in my truck down there and went to the VA about 3:00 in the morning. The car started going STOP took all of your toys. >> Been married about seven years now. >> Do you have any miss? She got two. SHE >> got to go to court. She went to court on the 26. >> Cuz she got to get it back. They think she's nuts. >> How many uh [laughter] >> y'all want me pony? Put your hand up. >> Michael. >> MICHAEL. COME ON. How many incident my water just >> need? [laughter] You need to go to the hospital. >> Michael keeps being mean to me. >> Okay, you stop being mean to him. All these right here to him >> is police reports of her. This one >> every one of them just I can't keep nothing valuable in the house. I got these are my majamas right here cuz I lay my keys down there and she come in cuz she done bust that lock right there. One one morning I woke up. She was supposed to be I said this mother house and she was in between there. I saw a TOE HANGING OUT. HOW YOU get in here? You know how she got it? She took that whole frame off that window back there. The whole frame. >> How tall are you? >> Hey y'all. [screaming] You put me in weigh about 235. How both of y'all? >> My dad. >> Both of you. >> My daddy. >> See that? See that? What you do? a number of weeks. >> I got something for y'all when you y'all going to go see. [laughter] >> You said you going to be a good girl. >> You say what? Hitting who? >> So what? >> Well, I I responded to back her up. No, no, that's not No, no, >> no. That's not true. That's not true. >> He called as well. >> Y'all caught at the same time. >> Yes, y'all did. >> Yes, y'all did. >> Okay. All right. >> The mother could have faced [music] charges including assault on a family or household member, injuring the welfare of a minor, and criminal mischief. Under Arkansas law, the potential sentence may range from 2 to 12 years. is in prison. Without taking sides, [music] this case illustrates how the truth can be far more complex than initial emotions suggest. Above all, no child should have to grow up feeling unsafe in the place meant to be called home. A single inappropriate remark by a child sparked a serious family confrontation leading to immediate involvement from authorities. >> He finally did turn around, but when he did, it was only to cuss me out and tell me he was going to me and he was going to get people to kill me and all these things. On October 27th, 2024, Palm Coast officers in Florida received an urgent call from children in the household, reporting that their father figure had lost emotional control and displayed concerning boundary crossing behavior. The situation began when a boy used unsuitable language, which led to an argument with his stepfather. Tensions escalated quickly and the child appeared to be the most visibly impacted. Sheriff's Office. >> Hello. >> Hi. You is it pronounced Vanessa? Vanessa. >> Vanessa. Yes. >> Hi. So, what's Did something happen last night between you, Anthony, and the children? >> Yes. >> Do you mind telling me what what happened? >> Fight occurred. >> Okay. Were they just misbehaving or what happened? Well, y'all are here though before I incriminate myself in any way. >> Well, I if if I were to have you incriminate yourself, I'd be reading you Miranda rights. I'm not doing that right now. I'm just figuring out what's going on. Last night, >> my son was cussing. >> Okay. >> Um stepfather went to reprimand him. Somehow some went became a tussle and then my 17-year-old daughter jumped in and I removed her. >> Okay. You mind just moving your hands out of your pockets? >> Sorry, I'm not. >> Just safety reasons. Okay, I understand. So son says curse word. Anthony your husband. I don't want to breach any boundaries. >> Anthony goes to what? Discipline him or >> I guess so. I was downstairs in the kitchen. All I heard the time I ran up the stairs, sir, I had two children on my husband and I removed one. >> Okay. Who did you >> What were they doing that required you to remove them? >> Literally fighting like tussling. Couldn't separate them. My daughter felt like he was really hurting him. So, she went to defend her brother. >> Okay. >> I removed her, tried to separate the two boys, guys apart, and then went with her father. >> Okay. >> Um my son must have rode around the block about about 11:30, 12:00 last night. Then he came upstairs and went in his bed and his room. >> Do you Where's Anthony currently? >> At work. >> He's at work. Do you know what time he would be home for us to talk to him just as we're talking to you? >> Anywhere after 8:00. >> Okay. >> Cuz I'm not sure if he gets off at 6:00 or 8 tonight. >> Where does he work at? >> They Nissan. >> They close at like 7 8. >> Oh, okay. Okay. So, just to be clear, you heard you. >> I didn't hear I'm going to make this very clear. I was downstairs >> putting away foo. Last I seen my husband, he was on the couch. Next thing I heard was a whole bunch of commotion and my need to get your husband. And then I heard, "Get the off my brother." And when I ran up the stairs, they were already fighting and I removed her. >> Although the mother attempted to step in and separate those involved, her actions seemed to align more with her husband. Notably, she appeared to overlook several concerning signs affecting her child. So from the story that we got was in >> daughter's room. >> Daughter's room initially I guess and then he says something and then your husband Anthony hears him say a cuss word or something. He comes up an alternate an argument kind of ensues at that point in her daughter's room. >> Yes. >> Okay. Then Desmond tries to remove himself from that situation. Goes in his room, shuts his door and doesn't want to deal with it. >> Yes. >> Okay. Then I guess your husband Anthony goes into this physical altercation takes place. Am I accurate in that? >> You're you're adding it all up for me like cuz like my kids told me exactly that and then I ran up the stairs like I said and the time I ran up the stairs I had not just one kid but two kids on my husband >> and you run upstairs and you see this physical altercation take place. How is Anthony and him tussling? Are they wrapped up together? It does. How's that going on? It's >> like some of everything. It looked like they were both on, to be honest, looked like they were both at each other like this. >> Okay, >> that's like it all happened so fast, but at the same time, I couldn't see everything cuz I also have a 17-year-old like literally on top him as well. So, I'm trying to remove her and the time I get her, I'm at the doorway like this, but she's trying to get back in and I can't remove. My son is 6'4. My husband is 61, 6'2. I'm maybe 100 pounds. They're 200 and something pounds a piece. >> Sure, that makes sense. >> So, at the same time, I don't want her to get hit, me to get, and I'm just screaming and crying all at the same time. >> Very emotional situation. Okay. >> Tough. Tough. Did Anthony sustain any injuries from that altercation? Not >> that I'm aware of. >> Not that you're aware of. Your son has bruising all around his neck. >> Yes. >> Okay. Were you aware of that? I seen it this today >> this morning >> when he sent me the video. My son is not speaking to me and at this moment I can't blame him right now. He kind of feels like I took my husband's side but I didn't know what to do. >> I understand. I understand. We are going to come back and talk to Anthony. But there is a line and it's a very distinctive line between discipline and abuse. >> I know. >> Okay. And I'm sure you're aware of this, but when a child receives marks all around his neck from an altercation of a grown man, we're talking about crossing the line. Okay. And now obviously we want to get his side of the story because you were downstairs kind of when it happened, you know, so you didn't see everything. So we would like to hear why he felt like it was necessary for him to cause those marks to your son's neck. Um, so that kind of needs an explanation. >> Am I allowed to know who reported this? Your son did. >> Okay. >> Your son did and your daughter, you know, they were >> they they feel scared. >> So he he is with my daughter. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, and they're they're safe at this point. >> Yeah. >> Um my son said he was going to basketball practice triyouts. >> Yes. He he did mention that. >> Yeah. >> So that's where she's staying. >> Yeah. >> I even went to the school today and had her removed his address. So, what we're going to do is Are you okay with completing any paperwork? >> You want to fill out a statement for us? >> No. Okay. So, we're going to come back, or at least we will later tonight. All right. You said he's going to be home around 8:00. >> It would just be beneficial for everybody if when he comes home, just give our non emergency call number a call saying he's here and you know he's willing to talk at this point. Okay. And the best thing he can do is give us a call and tell us he's home. >> Okay. >> Okay. We'll take you both from there. >> Okay. >> All right. >> All right, man. Good luck. >> When questioned by officers, the stepfather chose not to provide details and requested legal representation before continuing. >> Anthony. >> Yes, sir. >> Hey, man. I'm so sorry to bother you at such a time like this. Okay. >> How's it going, man? >> Good. Good. >> So, do have questions for you. Okay. Um, you probably know cuz there's two law enforcement that we're doing investigation. Okay. Yes, sir. >> Do you know why we're here? I think I have an idea. >> What would that idea may be? >> Well, because uh >> keeping your hand out of your pocket for me. I'm sorry. >> No, I My wife told me about it. That's >> work. I mean, I didn't even know you guys came by. >> Well, let's get out of the roadway into the driveway so we don't get cuz it is dark. >> Um, so what what happened last night? Well, I was watching the football game. Literally just sitting there watching the game and upstairs I hear Leila leave my you know he said the f word or something cussing upstairs so I just >> bad mouthing. >> Yeah. So I politely walked upstairs and I said stop as I always do in that exact tone. >> Okay. >> And he refused to look at and he wouldn't turn around and he just kept on acting like I wasn't talking to him. So then he finally did turn around, but when he did, it was only to cuss me out and tell me he was going to me and he was going to get people to kill me and all these things and then started going kind of like crazy. So um I mean in addition to that, I mean it led to an altercation, you know, but I had spoke with Mike Lambert, my attorney, and he said to really not go into real detail cuz it could obviously be a serious thing that you guys are, you know, investigating. So, I'd just rather have legal counsel and somebody who can kind of guide me through the process to do it properly. >> I'm sorry, the radio is just interfering right now. >> I understand. >> Okay. So, I'm sorry if I'm jumping the Are you saying that you're not wishing to talk to us until you have an attorney present or is >> Well, I'm not wanting to give details about the altercation, you know, unless I have an attorney present to give it. >> Okay. Well, okay. Let me just do this. All right. which if you I mean if you could tell me you know kind of what you know >> let me read this to you first. >> Sure. And we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Sure. All right. Let me just finish reading this. You have the right to remain silent and anything you say may be used as evidence against you. You have the right to talk to an attorney and have him or her with you now or at any time during question. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. If at any time you wish to stop talking or have an attorney present, all question will be stopped at your request. Do you understand these rights? >> Yes sir. >> Now with these rights in mind, are you willing to talk to us >> with an attorney? They He he advised me to have him present and he said that, you know, I would need to kind of, you know, arrange when he's available to do that. >> It's a yes or no. >> The answer is no to me. >> No. Okay. It's not that I don't want to. It's that I want to do it the right way. That's all. And my dad's an attorney, too. He's an assistant city attorney at Daytona Beach. So, he informed me, you know, Mike Lambert told me, you know, I should probably have him present when I go over the statement. That's what he asked me to do. And obviously I you know intend on if you know obviously him being my legal counsel if that were. >> I understand that. Okay. So >> while this decision was within his legal rights in a situation requiring clarity from multiple perspectives, the lack of immediate explanation added further legal complexity. >> May I'll be upfront with you. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> I'm not going to ask any questions. I'm just going to be honest with you. All right. I've been honest with you the entire time. Okay. doing an investigation regarding an an altercation that happened last night. I got two sides of it. >> Yes, sir. >> Somewhat of a third. I need your side and you're not giving me much. Okay. I'm only going based off of what I have. Okay. Right now. Okay. You're being charged with child abuse. Okay. Pictures of all of it. Something happened last night. >> He's being forthcoming on a lot of information as well as siblings that heard and seen. And the individual that's suspected of doing it is not giving me any information. I mean, >> I understand. >> As of right now, you're going to be going to jail, man. Go ahead. >> Can I call my attorney? >> Right now, you don't get that phone call. Once you get into the jail, you can go ahead. Put your hands together like you're praying. >> So, explain how the attorney >> wipe my keys, please. >> Yeah. Yeah. Where they at? >> In my pocket. >> All right. Any on you? No, sir. >> Which pocket? This one? >> I'm not sure. I don't recall which pocket. >> Here, I'll tell you what. What we're going to do is we're going to walk back to my patrol over here. We're going to just search you and just remove everything out of your pocket. Whatever you want to give to your wife, by all means, we can give it to her. So, I will switch. >> While my partner searches you, I'll explain how this whole attorney thing works. Everything else will be handled in court since you don't wish to speak to us, provide us information. That's up to you. If you do or do not want to, uh, we can't make you. That's why we read you your rights. If you do want to have your attorney present for questioning, for any legal advice, then regardless of how this is going to be written out now, everything else is going to be in the court system. So, your attorney can help you out there. He can if you want to give him a phone call from the jail, you can as well. Um, says you don't wish to speak to us. Don't have to provide any other information whichever. My partner's not going to question you on that. But then the rest of day is going to just like my partner said. >> You okay with all this money being? >> Yes, please. >> Like what my partner said? uh lock. >> So like >> okay >> so as my partner said the arrest David will really only have >> okay >> their size of the story and not yours. Granted with the attorney later on you can provide all that >> fill out a statement with the attorney present do all of that later on um because everything else from here is going to be in the courts. Hey, give my partner all the current information, contact information, etc., etc. That way, if we need to get a hold of you, we can. Because if we can't get a hold of you through correspondence by mail or by phone, you may have a warrant for your arrest. >> If what now? >> If we cannot get a hold of you, if you give us wrong information for your mailing address or your phone number, then we may have to put out a warrant. If we can't get a hold of you and you miss court. >> All right. And that was why would I do that? >> Just in case. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, that's why I say keep an eye on your mail. Keep an eye on your phone. Oh, yeah. I see what you mean. >> Realistically, your attorney should be handling it all for you. If your attorney handles it all for you, he'll take care of you. >> I appreciate you. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. My phone. That's just so I can call Just going to put it up there for the >> If you don't mind, if you could turn it off, that'd be helpful cuz then it won't be >> Hold down the power button. >> Yep. >> Yep. I'm a salesman. I've got a lot of >> I got you, man. >> Key. Oh, and would you please give this [ __ ] >> Not that it has anything to do with this case, but have you ever been arrested for any kind of domestic or domestic violence? >> No. >> Okay. Have you ever been arrested at all? >> Yes. >> But nothing as far as like gotcha. >> I got to pop the trunk. Yep. >> Hey, Von, just call my father, please. >> I'm cold right now. >> I know. Go take it inside. Oh, I just put it maybe on my car right there on the seat. Then just call it. >> Huh? >> I'm sorry. >> No worries. >> I couldn't hear you. >> I said if you could please just put it on >> like all of this. >> Yeah, just take it. Yeah. So, your hands aren't full. That's all. >> No on you, right? No got name tag. That's all right. >> That's why you're the >> Watch out behind you, ma'am. Watch out behind you. >> Oh, >> go ahead. Have a seat. >> I don't know. >> You have a wallet anywhere? Is that in the car or is this it right here? >> That is the wallet behind it. >> All right. Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Just a license and a card. >> Well, it's got a couple cards, but yeah, just my license and >> just watch your knee. I'm going to post a story. Yes, sir. >> The stepfather was charged with felony injuring the welfare of a child and was taken into custody at the Flaggler County Jail on October 28th, 2024. Under Florida law, he could face up to 5 years in prison or probation along with fines of up to $5,000. Guiding and correcting children must always stay within limits [music] of safety and respect. When a child feels unsafe, it is no longer guidance. It is a clear signal that timely and appropriate intervention is necessary. In Florida, the search for a missing child became tense. Not because of risks in the community, but because the mother was unable to provide a photo of her child. >> The photo, the picture of them, >> this don't make no sense. And y'all want to put the parents in like >> On April 5th, 2023, officers received a call from a mother reporting that her 8-year-old son could not be located. When officers attempted to assist, [music] she became defensive and visibly frustrated by routine questions about the child's photo and identifying details, information considered essential during urgent situations. >> Hello. >> All right. >> A young miner >> and feel like he's engaged in doing whatever he want to do. He just want to run around and do what he want to do. And then he was talking about going back and forth out of that way. Is that because my other son is with his son? They don't have the same guy. >> So he feel like, >> okay, where's Jeff? Where's Jeffrey now? >> I went looking and he went and told my mom, I'm going to do what I need to do and this and that. Hip hop gangster and this I don't know. It's the hip hop uh the the music thing. >> So which way he go >> this way? Like how can I go get him when I was already and my knee has already busted from here? I can't run. I can't run right behind. >> Who takes care of Jeffrey? You're not able to take care of him? >> I am. >> Okay. Do you need help with like DCF or something? You can't take >> Call DCF. Call him. Call him. Call him. >> Okay. >> I want you to call him. >> Maybe if you just want to check South Plaza, I guess. >> Do you have a photograph? >> What is 1500? Walmart. >> Black jeans, blue shirt. Uniform shirt. Like school uniform. >> Oh, uniform shirt. >> Yeah. And um Jordan shoes. >> What color shoes? >> White and blue. >> How tall is he? >> 47. >> H >> the photo, the picture of him. >> This don't make no sense. And y'all want to put the pants and like >> and we have we don't know what he looks like. >> Y'all if y'all want to be against us, y'all stop everything what's going on with the kids. >> In order to be able to find your kid, we have to know what he looks like and what he's wearing. >> No, I'm saying like when he approached me, when you approached me, it was disrespectful. >> Do you have the photo? That way I can start looking for him cuz I want to be able to find your kid. >> Hold on. >> Black male, medium bill, 47. Was a blue polo shirt, dark jeans, blue and white Jordans, and uh short crot hair. was last seen walking east on 45th. >> All right, I'm going to go go look for him. >> She doesn't have a photo yet. >> Is there any medical concerns? >> Yeah, that's my son right there. But he's older now. I got to get to some Wi-Fi. >> Let me follow you over there. >> Yeah. >> Was he in school today? >> Yeah. >> All right. We might be able to get a photo at school, too. Does he hang out with any of the neighbor kids or any school kids around here? >> He's supposed to hang around the neighbor kids. And that's the thing because they're all gay. All in the front and back. They all gay. >> What? >> Gay. Okay. >> Okay. >> And I don't want him to be around that. >> So Jeffrey does not have a phone we can track or anything like that? >> No, I haven't purchased him a phone. >> What about any kind of Apple device? We can track an iPad watch or anything like that. I'm just asking. So I don't know. >> He has that all in the house. Sir, >> I'm going to talk to the neighbor. See if he saw him. How you doing? >> How you doing? >> Do do you know guys know >> he stand just saw him when we came in stand up in front of building. >> He was over there in the corner. >> No, he wasn't in the He was in the front of the building. >> How long ago was that? about we just came about 10 or 15 minutes ago. He was standing there. >> Is this like an ongoing thing yet? >> You getting [ __ ] >> I'm just trying to help you find your son. Okay. >> No, you ain't trying to help me. Like why you didn't you last see my damn son? When you last see my son? >> I just seen Jackie when we CAME IN HERE. >> WHEN I JUST GOT I I PICKED HIM UP FROM SCHOOL FROM UBER. >> Didn't you see when we came in? >> I just picked up my son. I'm going to pull up Uber right now. >> Let's Let's not worry about Uber. Let's see if we can find a photo. You talking about find a photo? >> Yes. So we know what he looks like. >> This a demon. You lying. YOU LYING THOUGH. YOU LYING. >> MA'AM, JUST JUST LYING. >> MA'AM, TALK TO ME. >> SEEN JEFFREY 15 MINUTES AGO. DO WE HAVE a circulating THESE PEOPLE 15 MINUTES AGO? >> I'm sorry about that. >> Ma'am, just talk to me. Okay, >> JEFFREY. >> IT'S LIKE THEY GOT HATRED against me. Hey, what the wrong with you? >> 111. I have the child here at Southland in front of Plano. >> If you could fit the circ over here as well. It looks like it may be an as well. Oh, we found >> All right. So, when he coming, >> what does that mean? When is he coming? >> He's on his way, right? >> The officer found him. Yes. >> So, y'all can question him and ask him what's going on. He want to go to Fort Lauderdale. He's not allowed to go to Fort Lauderdale. His dad in jail. My other son have his dad and his dad came and picked him up and that's that's that's y'all want to be his dad, too. When officers later informed her that the boy had been found safe, the mother did not respond with visible relief. Instead, she kept her distance and did not allow [music] officers to speak with the child privately. >> We're going to help you as much as possible. >> I don't believe you. >> You don't believe me? >> What? You me you me officer? >> By by by saying by asking that if I can help you. How is that a >> you talking about we going to help you? You talking about we going to help you? >> Yeah, we're going to help you >> at the end of this. Hey, Jeffrey. How are you? >> I like I like your shoes. What do you get? What do you got in the bag? >> Candy in the >> huh? Where'd you get that? >> Oh, cool. What's your favorite one? Sweet. He'll be over there in just a second. >> What the? >> Hold on just a second. Jeff, >> I ain't >> I ain't begging. I have my own money. >> What money you got? >> This. >> Yeah. >> Jesus Christ. Y'all see this? >> See what he says about you. >> Who gave YOU MONEY LIKE THAT? I'VE BEEN AT IT. >> Give it to me for what? >> I just want to ask question. >> I don't want to talk to my son. I'm not giving you consent. This is my supervisor. >> No, I'm not giving you consent and talk to my son. Jeffrey, come on. Come over here. Come over here. And y'all y'all regarding my right. >> We're trying to figure out why he's Why is he running away from home? >> He's not running away from home. He want to do what he want to do. He like YouTube and all the other things like other kids do. Like >> does he have Does he have his own computer? Yes, it's a computer in there. >> A cell phone, too. >> No, it's no cell phone. >> Just your Does he get on your cell phone and play around? >> Yeah, he play on my cell phone. He download a lot of games on my cell phone. >> Does he do? >> Yes. >> Yeah. You got to be very careful with that. >> It is my TV. My TV is >> Yeah. That's not good to have. >> Listen, I'm going to tell you this. This stuff that goes around in the internet, anybody need to be prosecuted. We need to prosecute the >> I agree. these kids with bad language and feel like they need to be something that they ain't. >> Yeah. It's changing kids perspective. >> I mean, it's a cuz they're saying everything the rap music as well is is dumb. It's like a demon. >> I agree. So, what why did you decide to walk away today? >> No, I just went to the store cuz just to clean my mind. >> Clean your mind? Why do you want to clean your mind? What's going on? I'm doing because I had a girlfriend. >> Yeah. Okay. Did mom know where you were going? You didn't tell mommy you were going? >> She closed the door. >> She closed the door on you. The front door or inside door? >> The door. >> The white door. >> Front door. >> Okay. She wasn't letting you in the house. >> Why? I walked away and just >> Were you mad at mom for anything? You're not mad at mom? Was she treating you okay? >> Mhm. >> Who gave you the money for the the drink and the candy? >> Nobody. >> Is that money from dad or somebody else? >> My money. >> Okay. Do you know how much mom had to drink today? How much did mom have to drink today? >> Yeah, I don't drink. >> She drink any alcohol? She doesn't drink any beer or any uh any mixed drinks or anything like that? No. Okay. How do you feel with mom? You feel okay with mom or do you rather go with dad? >> I feel okay. >> You feel okay? >> Yeah. >> So, you feel safe with mom. She'll take care of you. >> Yes. >> But you said that >> that's not his dad. The 13-year-old saying him with his dad. But is that does that person spend a lot of time with you? >> Who? >> The the the 13-year-old's dad, >> the one he wants to go with. Is it because he looks up to him? Is that why he wants to go with? That makes sense. I mean, you're right. It's not his biological dad, but I guess >> I can understand why I can understand why wants to go with him. He run out. He just leave. He just runs out and leaves. Does it happen quite a bit or >> every day? >> Yeah. >> He's too little be running off like that. >> Well, she don't he don't watch him. Sometimes she lock him out. It take him an hour to get in and out. >> That's what he said today that mom would have. So >> So he was going to wait. >> To better understand the child's living conditions, officers requested consent to check the residence. The mother declined, explaining that no formal authorization had been presented. >> Hey, get the out of here. Come on, nuke. Come over here. >> Y'all weird as out of here. >> You're welcome. Finding your child. Okay, we need to check your house real quick. >> You can't check my house. I ain't giving you no permission. You ain't got no warrant. >> We want to make sure your child's safe. So >> my son is safe. You ain't safe around y'all. LIKE Y'ALL CAN'T EVADE my house. Let me call 911. >> If you call 911 while we're standing here, we're going to arrest you for a of 911 and they're going to have to take custody of Is that what you want? >> We need to make sure that he's >> Y'all are respecting my rights. And at the end of the day, my son did what he did. Do he look harm? Look, he's healthy. Look, look at him. Take a picture. Don't put your cam on him. He's not home. Not one bit, y'all. He's out wandering 45th Street on his own. He's 8 years old. That's That's really not good. How many times I told you not to do that? >> We just want to make sure there's food, there's a bed inside and everything. >> No, y'all not coming in my house. >> We're not looking for anything else. All we have to do is verify that he has food and then we'll be on our way. >> Y'all ain't got no one. And at the end of the day, it's just like, come on, man. Y'all help me out. And that's fine. >> What are you all having for dinner tonight? >> Candy. >> Candy. >> Chips and um a burger. >> You got that in the house? >> Yeah. >> Mom, can we just see that >> and then we'll be >> And then we'll be gone. >> No, I can. >> This is You called us to help you, right? I found your son. You called us to find your son. I found him. >> You insulting me. >> How am I insulting you? I brought your son back to you. >> You're insulting me in my own home. CALL DCF and tell DCF to come in and they can check out the house. >> How about can you bring out the food to us just so we can see that you have food and then we'll be we don't have to go inside your home. We just want to see >> No, no. Go get the um ribs the ribs out the freezer. >> You don't MAKE NO DAMN SENSE. Y'ALL CALL DCI. CALL DCI. I DON'T GIVE A about none of that. >> We're going to call DC if we have to. >> I don't give a damn. >> You don't even have to. >> Do you have a DCF case worker? >> Call now. >> Yeah. Call him. >> NO. NO. BRING THE RIBS. >> I am. >> My house good and cold. AC lights on everything. Bring the ribs. You want some here? You take him. Take it now. >> That's what you're hungry. You hungry. >> All right. You hungry. You hungry. >> I ain't going to hurt YOU IN MY HOUSE. >> SHE BROUGHT ALL THE FOOD. >> NO. NO. DON'T DON'T LET ME COME OUT HERE. Y'ALL DISRESPECT MY AND LOOK WHAT WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER? >> 1648. >> You want to take a picture? >> Y. I'm doing what I doing. Your badge number 1648. >> Say that again. >> 1648. >> Sir, what is your badge number? >> Okay. >> 1756. >> Despite repeated efforts to limit information, the situation continued to move forward through established legal procedures. >> Yeah, it's just me. >> Okay. Can I talk to you? >> No, my son. He can come up. >> No, no, he can just wait. You can wait inside the house with me. You just talk to me. Put your hands behind your back. >> Why? Put your hand on your back. I'll explain to you in a moment. Okay. >> Okay. >> Is there anyone at all that can care for Jeffrey? Grandma, aunt. >> What is this? >> What I'm being charged on my child when I'm calling the police because he's >> Okay. Is there anybody we can >> I can't run. My knees is bad. >> I'll get that for you. Michelle, >> hold on. >> Jeffrey, >> hold on. Hold on one second. >> That's crazy. Bradley, >> is there somebody else in the house? >> Yeah. Wake up, Bradley. >> Who's Bradley? >> All right, come with us. >> I I got her and you can go check on >> No, DON'T RUN IN MY HOUSE. LIKE, why are you running house? >> Is that you? >> That's disrespectful. Then you get >> permission. Put her in car. >> You sitting there talking and who does that? >> Can I get my house key? >> Where? Where they at? >> In the house. >> Okay. Let me know exactly where they are. >> I'm going to check your pockets. Make sure. Do you have anything on? I got to make the poop LIKE why you touching don't no you ain't got to do all that >> relax >> we HAVE RULES >> MAN THAT AIN'T no rules like come ON MAN LIKE Y'ALL DOING too relax >> ma'am put that thing back on my head >> put that thing back on my head >> I'm NOT TAKING A PHOTO RIGHT NOW AND WHY I CAN'T WEAR MY headband get in the car listen get in the car Excuse me. Excuse me. Like, why I'm being charged for China? Can I go GET MY CREDIT CARDS AND EVERYTHING? >> What do you have in there? >> THAT'S MY CARD IN ONE OF MY CARDS. >> SO, YOU can't bring the lighter. What? He's got a card or whatever. >> I checked the other pocket. >> Let me put the rest of that in my um Listen. Do you want me to place you in the car? >> I NEED TO BURN OUT. LIKE, I BURN out with my own money. Like, I don't need this. I need to GO GET MY STUFF. Y'ALL PEOPLE CAME ALL THE WAY BACK. LISTEN to me. I'm not trying to throw you in the car. Just have a seat. That's it. Just have a seat and let me talk to my partner and and let us figure this out. Okay. Just have a seat. >> Y'ALL AIN'T FIG Y'ALL ALREADY FIGURE IT OUT. THAT'S WHY Y'ALL BACK HERE. >> HAVE A SEAT IN THE CAR. >> Scooch back. >> Do you need help getting in the car? >> She talking about scooch back. >> There you go. >> All right. Just give me a second. Okay. >> My brother, >> just give me a second. All right. >> My brother, >> have a seat. Okay. >> Come on. >> Huh? >> We just got to make some phone calls, that's all. Okay. What's in your pocket? Just your money? >> Yeah. Come on. >> Just hang out right here. Can I get you some more candy? Where's your Where's your candy at? Inside the house. >> The stove. >> The stove. Okay. >> The mother was charged with child. Under Florida law, this charge may carry up to 5 years in prison or probation along with a $5,000 fine. From start to finish, the prevailing emotion was helplessness, the frustration of those trying to ensure a child's well-being while being turned away, and the quiet vulnerability of a child who simply wanted to be heard rather than becoming the [music] center of adult conflict. But that's not all. In another stage, another mother did the same. Only this time, she chose to in the truth to save herself. >> I'm telling you the truth. There's nothing else I could tell you. That is the truth. >> On February 20th, 2023, San Miguel County deputies in Colorado received an emergency call from a woman reporting a domestic violence incident involving her boyfriend and her two children. Officers rushed to the scene where they met two women, Francis, the mother, and Deborah, Francis's mother. But from the very beginning, something didn't add up. >> How you guys doing? >> Great. >> Good. Thank you. I'm depriving County Sheriff's Office. What's your name, ma'am? >> I'm Debia. >> Your mother? >> I'm her mother. Yes. >> Okay. What's your name? >> Deborah. >> Deborah. >> Tapia. >> And your name, young lady? >> Francis. >> Francis. So, like I said, I'm deputy county sheriff's office. This is Deputy Ray Ball. >> So, I called in a domestic violence on them last night. Or >> you called it in. Who did you call it in? >> I called it in. I just called 911. >> What time did you call? >> It was about 10 9 10. >> I don't even remember. And then they met with her at the sunshine station. >> Who did? >> The state police. >> Okay. So, state police is already handling it. >> Well, no. Well, she kind of I lied cuz I was scared. >> Who did you talk to? >> Who do you look like remember their names? It was a lady. >> It was a lady. >> Castro. >> I had no idea. >> There was like five really tall. >> You made a report with them? >> Yeah. >> I didn't say anything though. I said nothing happened. >> And but my granddaughter >> I'm just going to throw this out there. You know, you can get in trouble for falsifying a police report, right? I was afraid. He's still messaging. He said, "I'll find you." And then I was just scared. I didn't want >> So you called state police between 9 and 10. And from there, what happened? >> I'll help her. >> Mountain, but she had called her friends to come and help her because he had locked the baby in the house. >> Who's he? >> The guy. >> My mom. >> Okay. >> Okay. What's his name? >> Toronto. Do you know where he lives or stays or >> I didn't I think >> okay so let's start from all the way from A. Okay. What time what happened or >> he was just being rough. He was drunk. >> What time was this at? >> My daughter >> approximate time. >> My other daughter had dropped off between 7 >> 8 or 9 yesterday. So that would be the 19th cuz we're >> 4 and he took my phone. So I just wasn't even looking at my phone. I hid my phone. >> So eight or nine you guys were fighting. >> Yeah. >> What happened from there? And he was annoyed with Emma. Who's Emma? So my daughter. >> And so he took her to the bathroom there cuz we I have been potty training her, but he takes it. How old is she? Extreme. She's three. And so that's how we started fighting. >> So he got upset. >> I got upset with him because >> No, no, he got upset. >> Yeah, he got upset and took her to the bathroom and just locked her in there. >> Well, he didn't lock her. She can't get locked in there. But he locked her in there and I went to try and get her out. >> Watch. Mom, let me let me talk to her real quick. If you could just That way I could get two sides. >> And he wasn't letting me. He wouldn't let me pull her out. Like I said, we've been potty training her, so it's not like >> So, he was in the bathroom with her at the time? >> No. >> So, he just put her in the bathroom? >> Yeah, she was on the toilet. >> And she was on the toilet. Was the door closed or open? >> And he pushed me back into the room. >> Was the door closed or open at the time? >> It was just closed. >> It was closed. You tried to open the door. He pushed you. >> Uh, no. So, >> you just said he pushed you, >> huh? >> You just told me he pushed you, right? >> Yeah, he pushed me back into the room. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I was like, "Wait, what?" Okay, I'll start over. So he took her to the bathroom and I followed because I kept telling him just leave her. She's fine. She was asleep. Like you don't need to bug her. And he's rough when he grabs her. Like he's rough. And so it upset me and I was trying to get her out of the bathroom and he pushed me back into the room. >> How did he push you? Can you show me? >> The reason why for I know it's kind of overwhelming, but we got to get facts. Okay. You know, this isn't I'm not saying it's it's a game or anything. >> That one was like a >> like a back in the room. >> Did you fall on anything or it was just a like if I pushed you and you kind of like just go back? He pushed me in, you know what I mean? Like, >> did you fall though or anything? >> No, I never fall. >> Okay. So, so he pushed you and then went up from there. >> It was rougher than like just like go back to the room, like let her go to the bathroom. It was him being rough, you know? >> Okay. >> The boyfriend still didn't stop. When the mother tried to carry Emma and Novo away, he violently pulled the child from her arms and tried to stop her. >> He started arguing and I started gathering my stuff as I was like, "No, we're not dealing with this dude. We're not doing this." Cuz we fought a few nights before. That's whenever he hid my phone and everything. So >> he hid your phone for me. >> Okay. >> And so I was like, I'm just not going to do this no more. I'm not going to do this with you. I know how you're acting because you're drunk. So I was like, I'm just going to get my kids and I'm going to go. So I went and started putting their car seats in and loading my stuff up. He locked me out. >> Where are you locked out of the house? >> Yeah. And so when I got back in, I grabbed >> Whose house is it? >> It's not even his house. He's just renting it. >> Are you boys both on the lease or just him? >> No, just him. I'm not from here. >> Okay. So he locked you out and then what happened from there? I was able to get back in the house. He let me in. He's like, "Are you going to stop acting crazy?" And I was like, "I'm not acting crazy. I'm just trying to leave. I don't want I don't want this to turn into something else. I didn't want it to turn into this." So, I was just trying to leave the situation, get my kids, and go. Did I say that I brought my daughter back in? Cuz I think I forgot that part. >> So, you took your daughter out with you when you went? >> Yeah. Well, no. So, I started loading my stuff up. He locked me out from my kids. He brought her back out from the bathroom. So, I picked up Nova cuz she's only two. She's a little teeny tiny. >> So, you had another kid with you? I do >> Nova >> like you're not leaving and I was like I am leaving. So I had Nova >> in your hand or >> and I picked up Nova cuz she was on the bed watching TV and was just munching and I picked her up and I was going to get Emma and he grabbed Emma and said you're not leaving. I was like I am leaving. I went and buffled Nova in the car and started the car and then he walked us out again. He told me you can't come back in unless you unless you're bringing Nova bring Nova inside too and then you guys can stay just stay till the morning. I don't want to stay to the so I just agreed and I was like, "Yeah, I'll go inside." And she took my keys and I was able to get him back though, so I car >> even ped Francis in the face. Yet, strangely, she kept trying to cover it all up because I just don't want anyone to get her. >> I don't know. He was just rough with my a few times. >> Hey, how did he get you >> with his left fist? Right fist if you can remember. >> I don't know. >> Where did he get you? >> Face like face. Is that that mark right there that you have on your right side of your chicken? >> That's what they were saying probably. >> How many times did he punch you? >> Yeah, he me one time and he me you one time and you one time. Same fa same side of face or different? >> Probably this side. I really don't know. It was just so much going on. I just wanted to get my kids out >> after he you and you. What happened from there? >> I was able to get outside and call my friend because there that house has so many doors and he was like what was he doing? >> So how did you get no uh Emma? >> I got Emma. >> How did you get her if he was holding her? So he let her go. Like he wasn't holding her holding her. Like he let her back in the room and everything after we went back in the room and let her go. So I was able to hold her, but I don't I don't remember what started it again, but he ended up going outside with Emma. I went to go get my phone and that's how I was able to call my friends and my mom to come and get us. >> Who's your friend? >> Mariana. >> She here? >> Yeah. >> Mariana. What? >> Of course. >> Oh, this is her. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I I'll talk to you now. >> I was waiting on the porch cuz I was like, I know. Yeah. >> And then she came and picked you up and that's when you guys you left with Emma and Nova. >> Yeah. Well, yeah. He grabbed me a few times. >> Is there markings on you? Can I see? If you can move your hair back just a little bit. >> Did he bite you? >> That's what they said, but I don't think it was probably >> cuz there's there's bite marks right there on you. >> I don't think that was >> right here >> on your other side of your cheek. Right by the cheekbone right here. >> I don't know. >> Took a picture and I'll show you. Watch. Move your hand. >> That's just my face. >> So, he never hit you on that side then? >> I don't think so. No, >> I'm not too sure. And that when was that from? >> 2 3 days ago. >> Did you report that? >> No. >> Did you let state police know last night or you didn't tell them anything at all? >> I didn't say anything. I was scared. >> You got to understand we're going to the ones that are here to help you. And >> no, but I was scared. I didn't want to get hurt. He says he'll hide my family and like that's scary. >> Turns out the boyfriend had no biological connection to the children at all. >> And how long have you been talking to this guy for? >> Since like November. >> November. And you guys have two kids together? >> No, those are my kids. >> Those are Oh, so those aren't his biological kids? >> His kids. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, you got to be careful who you talk to. I mean, they seem friendly and sometimes it's not always like that, especially if you >> for his true colors to show. I've never seen him drunk. This is him when he's drunk. I've never seen him like that. His grandpa just >> And that one was 3 days ago. >> Yeah. When his grandpa passed yesterday, this was on the 19th or something. >> That was so that was yesterday. Today's the 20th. >> No, this was not the 19th. >> So, like the 17th? >> I think it was the 16th or the 17th. >> Okay. And on the 17th, >> passed away too. >> What happened? Explain to me what happened to that. >> Then he took my phone and I was trying to get it back out of his pocket. So I grabbed his pocket and he hit me. >> So he took your phone from you. You try to get it back from him and hit you. >> How did he hit me? >> You and you're not falsifying police. You're telling me everything is true to your knowledge, right? Okay. Cuz it's going to be investigated and nothing's consistent. I'm just letting you know. >> Burn was from like, "Oh, that's what I was trying to get at her." He takes it as a joke. He takes his parents totally different. So I was like, "This isn't your kid." But whenever we put her in the bathroom and I would walk away, I guess he turned the light off and she ran into the heater. >> But he didn't burn her. >> No, he didn't burn her. She ran into the heater cuz he was in the room with me. >> Can we go see where the burn is, too, though? She >> Well, look. >> And the mother's explanation for Emma's injuries. Was it really the truth? >> I want to show you guys her bruises, too, cuz of the way he was grabbing her from me. Like, we were fighting over her. >> Can I take pictures? >> Yes. >> She also has a bite mark on her shoulder that matches the bite mark on her cheek. >> Uh, flip flip her this way. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Emma. That one's not a recent one. >> No, this one I know this is from the other day. >> That's a burn week ago. Like maybe >> cuz that's to be honest with you, that's more than a week. >> 5 days ago at least. >> Okay. >> What are all these marks from, Francis? >> I'm not sure what the marks are from. I think she picks herself because she has anxiety. >> Have you reported that or have you took her to the doctor? >> No, I took her pacifier away cuz she used to pick at her hair when she was a baby. But this is from her throwing herself on the ground. She was outside. She was throwing a fish. >> This little she got yesterday sliding out of my truck. >> And mom, you weren't there when this happened. >> No, I don't. I don't know. >> She called me. This one of these girls called me and told me that >> she's got something going on. So I called. >> It's kind of cold for her. You could get her in the vehicle for now. >> To verify Francis's statement, police turned to a new witness, the children's aunt. >> I want to ask you, Christian. It's nothing personal. Can you know if you want to answer me? I'd appreciate it and if you can answer it to the best of your knowledge. Okay. Is she a user or anything? >> No. What's up with all the marks on the baby? >> That I don't know. So, I know I think it was last week or a few days ago. She called us at the middle of the night while we were sleeping. So, I didn't get messages till the morning >> that night. And that was like I said either last week or few days ago, but I was asleep. So, I didn't get the messages and stuff till the morning. And then she said everything was fine. So, then I was like, "Okay." Well, last night she kept calling me. She was like, "Something is going to go bad. Like, he's drunk." And I was like, like, "Why? What's wrong?" and she wouldn't message me for a long time. And she messaged and she was like, "He locked me in in a Nova outside the house and took the keys and he has Emma inside with him." >> Okay. >> So, I was like, "Well, dude, it's cool. Like, you need to get your daughter out of there first of all. You need to get the hell out of there." So, she was like, "He let me inside. Please don't come. Please don't come." And I was like, "No, dude. Like, my stomach was twisting at first." I was like, "Okay, I won't go." You know what I mean? My stomach was twisting and I just felt something was wrong. >> I'm not going to lie to you. That breaks my heart seeing her with that much much bruises. happened and she said she picks up herself. >> No, she's um she's too young. I'm going to be honest with you. Um I'm >> I don't know up front things. I tell I say how it is and um but yeah. No, definitely not. So she called you um >> No, she called us and she was last night. >> Last night. Okay. And when she did call you, what what happened from there? >> She messaged and then she kept calling but it kept cutting out cuz I guess she don't have a good signal there. So then finally when the call did come through, all I heard was yelling. This was the last call. All I heard was like yelling. the phone hung up and the shoe messaged, "Please come and get me." But before all that, I called her mom and I let her mom know, "Hey, I ain't supposed to be telling you what's going on, but I know he's been, you know, my friend." I said, "And I know he's been to her cuz Emma doesn't talk." >> Has she ever said that, "Dad?" >> Mm-m. >> Just let me know the truth right now. >> Because when I asked her what happened, when I asked the baby, um, Emma, what happened? Like, cuz she kept saying, "I went to my leg. What happened?" And she just say it hurts. And I was like, "Yeah, but who did it? What happened?" And she would say bathroom. But she wouldn't like she don't speak much. >> Yeah. She's cuz it's Emma, right? Mhm. >> Okay. I'm getting confused with Emma. Emma. Okay. And Emma is four. Three >> and Nova's two. Okay. >> And I just don't understand why like child. I'm against all that. >> Why is he would he who only do that to one child? It's wrong in the beginning. Is it like a hatred thing or I don't understand what a three-year-old could do to a person like and he claims that he didn't do none of that stuff. But apparently somebody did. >> I mean, she needs to answer for that cuz she's mom and you know initially >> I only know so much. Do you know what I mean? what I >> have you seen her or anything her kids she literally like and doesn't even make them cry and I'm like girl you learn from that like give him a little softer a little harder you know she's like she them or anything >> but beyond all the testimonies it was the child's actions that spoke the loudest she ran to the police officer refusing to let her mother or grandmother touch her >> cutie you want to come out here it's cold sweetie it's cold >> baby she needs a diaper now too >> mom she needs a diaper Mama, don't fall. >> You got wipes. >> I can't get her in. >> Mom, you take her to the house. >> Look. Look. >> There you go. You got what you wanted. >> Can she sit in her house? >> You just can't leave. >> Yeah, she's not going to leave. >> It's cold. >> I'm not going to lie to you. We're going to probably be out here for about 2 three hours. And the reason for that, okay, is CFD is going to come out here. I hope you can understand. Look at her arms. Yeah, I understand. Oh, I know why. >> I almost cried like >> I know. I know. I I don't get in any way. >> And then the Miranda rights were read. After piecing together the details, the testimony and the evidence were conflicting. >> Told you you're okay. I'm deputy vid County Sheriff's Office. This is to my partner, Deputy Ray Bolt. Okay. So, what I'm about to do is I'm going to read you your Miranda rights. Okay. Basically, I don't want to violate any of your rights. >> Am I getting arrested? >> You're not getting arrested. >> I'm just advising you of your rights. Okay. >> Okay. I was like, "Oh my god." >> Having these right in mind, you wish you speak to us. >> Okay. Basically my concern is is Emma. She has in her entire body. Apprentice. Okay. What do you know about that? What could you tell me? You mean your m your mom? You have to know something. >> Mostly last night. >> What do you mean mostly last night? >> Like thees are mostly from last night. >> How? >> So we were fighting over her. I was holding her. He was pulling her legs. And then at one point he was holding her. I was trying to get him to let go. Okay. >> And then I think when the bite marks came from whenever >> bite marks. I didn't even see any bite marks. >> Yeah. On her shoulder. On the back of her shoulder. I don't remember you telling me that. >> Yeah. Even my sister was like right here. >> Okay. So, that's why we were showing you her back first. >> So, how did the bite mark happen? >> I'm thinking it was whenever I was holding them both cuz I got a hold of my friends and I was like, "If we just lay here, he'll leave us alone." So, I was holding the girls and he was holding us down, too. So, I think he was biting on bit Emma's back while I was holding them cuz I was on my back. I was on the bed and I was just holding him cuz he already knocked me down once. So, I was just holding him. >> I'm going to be honest with you, Francis. I hope you don't take this in a bad way, but I've been a cop for some years now, okay? And I've seen a lot of stuff, but don't me, okay? Those markings aren't consistent with you guys tugging Emma. >> Francis stayed stubborn, clinging to her conflicting story and insisting, "I love my daughter." as she tried to convince the police. >> So, I'm going to ask you again. >> I'm I understand. I didn't see no handmark. >> If you look at her thigh, there is a clear handmark on her thigh. >> I have a photo of it. I'll show you the photo. >> My daughter's right there. No, I understand. But I don't want to I don't want to bother her right now. Tell me where you see the handmark. >> There's the bite. >> Okay. But a handmark. You see? >> No. On her thigh. Other side. >> I don't have the other side. >> Well, look. There's fingers and then it like Yeah, there's fingers. >> Francis, this is concerning. This is your daughter. Okay. >> No one. That's why I called. >> So, tell me what happened. It's not consistent with you guys tugging her. Just be honest with me, okay? Cuz I'm going to find out. >> I've never >> I'm not saying I'm I understand. I'm not saying it's your daughter, but I'm asking you what happened. How did these marks get there? Okay. So the I mean it's a little fresh, but it's not from yesterday. >> No, but I told you he grabs her the way he grabs her to take her to the bathroom and I have to follow along. >> Okay. Well, if you knew about it, why didn't you report it? >> Because it wasn't that bad. They were not all of those came. Not all of those were there. Most of those are from last night >> when the state police officer came. Why didn't you report it to them? I mean, >> I didn't notice them last night. >> You didn't notice them at all? No, we came here and put the girls to bed. >> When did you notice them today? >> This morning when I started looking at her. >> Okay. So took her shirt off and then I was waiting for my grandparents to get here because if you guys were going to take them, I was hoping that at least maybe they would take them or be able to go with. >> So this morning around what time did you notice a >> We woke up like 10:00. >> Around 10:00. >> Yeah. >> You didn't notice any red marks or anything after? >> What do you mean? Like this morning? >> So if I grab your arm and I pull on it, >> if you have sensitive skin, you're going to show it, right? So after everything, did you notice? Cuz I mean you >> not last night. Like her cut was started again. >> Her scabbing. >> Yeah. Cuz I didn't. And that's why I said I think he grabbed her and the way he grabbed her it made it again cuz it was healing cuz we had band-aids on it and everything and I took it off yesterday cuz I was like it's finally doing better. You know what I mean? You don't have to bandage on >> and also the it's not really consistent of like you know me grabbing you. It's >> consistent with her kid though >> Francis. You know if you don't want to tell me the truth you know that's that's your daughter. >> I'm not telling you the truth. There's nothing else I could tell you. That is the truth. I love my daughter more than anything. That is why I called you guys. >> And that's why I'm here cuz I'm concerned about her. >> I know. >> But I mean, >> I wouldn't lie about this. I wouldn't lie about this. If I was the guilty one, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here. >> And I'm not saying you're guilty, but I'm asking you questions because that way it can help our investigation. >> Everything. >> Okay. Cuz the reason why is when we go talk to Geronimo, he's going to tell me something different, right? >> Possibly. >> But that way, cuz it's like I told, it's an investigation. Okay. Your side of the story is not going to be the only one I'm going to get. That way your stories add up because he possibly might have cameras in there. U not too sure. He might he might not. Neighbors might have cameras or you know just anything. And then you know I'm like once I review it I'm like oh look Emma didn't tell me the truth. What's going on? You know I believed her and that's why I'm asking her the questions. >> Yeah. I understand. >> So >> no matter how much she dodged Francis couldn't hide the truth. Her conflicting statements ended up exposing her. >> You have any question? >> I forgot anything like my brain is just such a fog because I can't believe this happened. I'm their mother. you know, I'm supposed to protect them and that's what I'm trying to do and that's why I left last night because I didn't want him to them and I did it my best like I fought for him for hours and then I had to hide my phone so any chance I got to take to get a hold of them >> cuz earlier when I was talking to you didn't tell me that that he was you guys were kind of playing back and forth. Yeah. You did tell me that you were trying to get her from him. >> Yeah. But now now it's kind of like there was multiple doors and he took her out one door and I went out the other and then he got mad at me and seen it as a game. >> But now what I'm trying to say is it's a little different now. Um Are you remembering more now or what's >> No, it's just that's it. Like like I I love my daughters for everything and if you guys have to take them and make a big case out of it, that's fine. That's why I did this because I want my Emma to have justice for that cuz what he did is not okay. It's disgusting. When I seen the bites on her, that's disgusting. >> Okay. So, you're saying he bit her? >> I'm thinking he bit her. He had to. Her sister bites, but not to leave a mark like that. >> So, you never seen him bite her? >> I didn't see her bite her. >> You never seen him bitter. >> I never seen him bit her. The way he grabs her is different. I've seen him grab her. Never seen you reported that. Even if he does grab her, >> physically close hand, open hand her. Never. >> Okay. Well, if I think of something else, I'll talk with you. Um, CFD should be here. Well, I don't want to say shortly. Um, like I told you, it's going to be a while. They're coming out of Las Vegas and they're tied up with other calls. So, >> when the curtain was finally torn down, the grandmother was a wanted fugitive. The aunt had a missing child for 3 weeks, and the mother was drowning in lies. Perhaps the foster home is the least scary place for these children. >> Would I be able to talk to them in like talk to her in my car separately? >> Yeah. >> Hi, Emma. I'm Amber. Nice to meet you. What's your name? >> So, here's the deal, Deborah. Okay. I'm going to work with you, okay? You've been respectful with me. But you do have a warrant. >> What do I have a warrant for? >> For failure to appear? >> No, they canceled that. >> No, it's not canceled. It's active. >> I called the >> I called, too. It's active. But listen to my lawyer. Okay. >> Call them and take care of it. I'm going to give you about 2 days or so. Take care of it. If it's not taken care of, you're going to get arrested. Okay. Yeah, no problem. >> So, we're working with you. >> No, because they said I from my love a message from my lawyer saying that the case has been dismissed. >> Yeah, the case is maybe dismissed, but you're at your warrants are active. So, >> when did they put a warrant out? Cuz I >> I don't have the date on me, but yeah, it is active. I called to make sure >> we take care of those warrants for you. Give it your days. If you have to call if you have to call, take care of it. See what's going on. >> That's why I was just telling her that now after this, I got to take care of my own and do my own actions. I'm still going to do a report of a runway cuz you know she is underage even though it's against the law. Other people have seen her and they've said, "Well, she's fine. You know, she I haven't seen her in three weeks. I think it's been about three weeks. I have to look on my phone." Do I just, you know, the courts and if you can't pay the whole thing right away, you can make arrangements. >> You can make payment arrangements. It's probably better just if you have the money just to pay it off. That way you don't have to worry about it cuz if you miss a payment, they're going to put another warrant out for you. >> I didn't know there was a not she don't work. She's not so I still have to pay for my if it's already in place. Yeah, there's nothing. >> Okay. >> Yeah, you're pretty much your lawyer really has nothing to do with it. And yeah, if you want to reach out to have call, but it's your responsibility to call. So, they told me not to, you know, give him a call then something follow through with that. >> The mother Francis was arrested and held on charges of intentional child abuse. Under Colorado law, this offense carries a penalty of up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. Her bail could be set at $20,000. A child's future can easily be warped by irresponsible adults. This isn't just a tragedy of one mother. It's a wakeup call for anyone using toxic love to excuse in Florida where two 21-year-old parents were raising a kid, a dog, and a swarm of flies in a house no better than a dump. The amount of flies in this room in this window is rid. It makes you think there's a body in this house. >> On April 22nd, 2023, a 911 call sent police rushing over. A child was trapped inside, desperately banging on the door for help. But when officers arrived and knocked, there was only silence and a foul smell. They had to break in and rescue the child stuck in a house full of flies. I can't. I kind of was thinking like maybe they just go to the store, set code, but I mean even then it's like >> how long is it take kids eating? I mean, they're leaving him there. He's probably like one or two and I'm pregnant and I like I couldn't imagine eating somebody else's kid 2 years old on my own. >> Yeah, I'm kidding. >> Just found probably a one-year-old by himself inside of a house that is horrendously bad. Parents left about 20 minutes ago, locked him inside the house by himself, took off. neighbor saw him baiting on the window and uh he's in not great shape. The kid's not in good shape, but as soon as we find these parents, they are going to prison. >> I got little patience with this one, too. >> What? >> Little kid is in the window banging on the window. Oh, 47. He's got a plate of food in front of him. The amount of flies in this room in this window is riding this house. Where's the child? >> He's in my front seat right now. Doors are locked. We were able to push the window open and he's just sitting there. So, we scoop him up real quick. We're cleaning him. He's [ __ ] He's covered in either or. Did you take pictures? I did. Okay. >> We have EMS coming to check him out right now. He's got like either a on his leg or really bad infected or something. He's super dirty. Super super dirty. Is there anybody? >> We need We need to clear the house. So, I'm going to go through the window and then I'll go through the window and come through the door. How many people live here, guys? There's two. There's two people here. >> Yeah. >> How big is this dog? >> Uh, it's a pretty good size boxer. Does he mean I don't know. I don't interact with him at all. >> I don't think the dogs Let me come. >> I've come out here a few times and he's out here. I can't say for sure. usually going into this area. >> For Long Beach Police Department, if you're inside, make yourself known. >> Are there usually this many flies around here? >> No, they [ __ ] over here closer to my front door, so I scoop it. I even >> No, but I mean, is there usually this many flies? >> I was flies. >> Hey, Dustin. No, Dustin, grab my axe. >> What? >> The door is locked. You >> mean the door is locked? >> The interior. He's The kid was locked inside his room. >> You got it locked from the inside? Yeah. Can you grab my axe, please? >> Just come out here. We'll take the front. >> And how many is there? Any other kids here? >> Kid was locked in the room. >> What's up? >> I'm pissed, dude. Uh, talk to him. >> I'm going to grab it just for when you're ready. >> Neighbors called in said to mom and dad, the kid at home alone >> in 147. >> There's a a ridiculous amount of insect activity. There's flies everywhere. There's flies all over him. He's got all over him. >> Anything? >> No. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. I need somebody to stay with him. >> Okay. And if they start taking clothes off and you see or anything suspicious, we need a photograph. >> You want me to stay with them? I guess. Hey, George. We're going to go change the back of the truck. >> We're going with you. >> Okay. Hi, baby. >> You need a poop. >> Feel it. >> Are you coming? Yeah, I'm coming. I'm coming. >> Okay. >> The child was taken out, but what was left inside was a nightmare. Trash piled everywhere, flies swarming, and a starving dog. [music] The place was no different from a diseased nest. A toxic environment for any child. Fat guy in a little space here. >> Where did that food go? It's out here. >> Okay. Is there a head on that one? >> Yeah. >> Just uh pull. Yeah. From right there. >> There we go. We can unlock it and then put it back. THERE YOU GO. >> POLICE DEPARTMENT, IF YOU'RE IN HERE, MAKE SOME KNOWN. POLICE PERMIT. >> See your [ __ ] wallet or an ID or purse laying around? Got your >> door there. >> Most cases the parents will probably face some sort of criminal action. >> Yeah. Have they came back yet? Like >> no. >> I didn't know if maybe they got like stopped. >> No. >> Poor copy of name. >> First named Tyler. T Y L E R. Oh, we got a little puppy in here. Hi. Oh, we got a bunch of little puppies in here. 1241. Copy another name. Police kept investigating and found the baby's room was a stinking trash pit full of dirty diapers and stains. Other rooms were stacked with packaging and pill bottles. Yes, they turned their home into a biohazard, then bought medicine to deal with the disaster they caused. Unbeknownst to me, there's some puppies right here. Oh, I didn't see those the first time. >> Hi. >> They look better taken care of than the child. >> Oh, you guys are so cute. One stuck underneath the blanket. >> Yeah, little white. Just general uncleanliness. >> Yeah, >> you can tell that kids been sitting in there with dirty nasty diapers or diarrhea on diapers. Obviously, their room. >> Hi, papa. >> Food and stuff stacked up when they're sitting there. >> Hi, papa. >> This is the room the kid was in. So, it's just the doorork knob >> was locked on from the outside. >> Yeah, the doorork knob. So they had the >> on the inside of the door. >> Uh yeah, that >> and then another one just sitting down there. >> Oh my gosh. >> And then this is where he was and all over the wall and curtains. Um I don't know what this is about. I tried to open this and I feel like it's all going to fly out. Yeah, they're an hour out. >> Okay. Not food. Apparently food. >> Nope. >> Yeah. Look at that. That That is all. >> Yeah, >> they've just been sitting them in cuz that's the same color as his diapers. All this medication I took cuz of the picture. >> So, that's the only one that's open of this side. That's not open. >> Okay. >> This one might be open. This one I don't even think has been open. >> I don't know how you're going to get a 2-year-old to take pills. >> That was going to be my next question is >> I don't know. >> How is Usually it's a liquid that they prescribe. >> One of those is a chewable tablet. >> Okay. But the rest are all built. >> Turns out the child was just a daily occurrence in this house. >> I'm just curious when they going to come back. Like so stay here until they do come back or how I've never seen them gone. Like they do leave quite frequently. But you know the mom they do only have one car so sometimes it's hard to tell if the mom is there or if she went with them. But if you see them both >> they left you with the food. Like what if he choked >> and the food was covered in flies? >> Where are you going that you can't take your kid? Like and I mean this is how psychological like things happen like [ __ ] better collected like this. >> You would think it would be common sense. >> As expected, the boy was rushed to the hospital. Test results, double ear infection, [music] respiratory infection, and signs of malnutrition. >> Spider up again. I mean, he's a little he's a little thick. He's definitely thick. I don't know, but he's definitely not being taken care of. >> No, he's got the B leg. I mean, he looked he's chunky, >> dude. We used to see So, there was a bowl. It had old old stale cold French fries, a chicken tender, like a um a old McDonald's chicken nugget on top of some gummy bears, and then there was uh like rice on top of all of it. And then bacon, like a strip of bacon, and it was covered in in flies. And he's just sitting there just eating out of it, banging on the window, locked in his bedroom. >> He went to Oh. Surprisingly, [music] 21-year-old parents Tyler and Diamond calmly turned themselves in at the hospital 5 hours after leaving their child home alone to go out. >> Hey, Diamond. This is a Diamond and Tyler. >> Tyler. Diamond. Go ahead. Put your hands behind your back. >> I'm I'm Diamond. >> You're Diamond? Oh, Diamond. Go ahead and put your hands behind your back. Drop that. >> You and Tyler both are under arrest for aggravated child abuse, aggravated child, and multiple other charges forthcoming. Do you have any questions? >> Your child is going to be remanded into the custody of DCF pending a investigation and a family member to go and check them out. He's got a >> Do you have anything in your pockets? Anything that's going to poke me, stick me. All right. Before either one of you say a word, I'm going to read both of you your rights. Okay. You both have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. We can go that way. Right there. Straight out. Straight out that way. Let's go. Yeah. >> You have anything on you? >> No, I don't. >> You have anything in your pockets? >> No, I don't. >> All right, go in there and have a seat. >> Hey, can you sit? Sit right here. I got to go in and grab my laptop and stuff. >> Are you somewhere? Is that pain? >> That was a pen that broke my pocket. No. Okay. Bye, buddy. I think your ride is here. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. See you little right right in here. And go in here and turn to the left. Turn to the left. stand in the doorway. All right, I'm going to take these cos off of you. I need any kind of jewelry you have on. Your necklaces, your bracelets, your earrings, all of that has to come out. You understand? >> Walk towards that officer. I should stand there. Stand there. >> Uh the torch when I was at work, I put it down. >> Not ringers. I'm going to take I'm going hold on to it. Okay. And during the interrogation, the father gently blamed it's the dog. >> Tell her, do you know why you're here right now? >> Can you tell me why you're here? >> I'm here because bad decision leaving my son at home for about 3 hours. >> Can you tell me why you guys left him at home? >> My dog within the past two weeks gave birth to 13 puppies. We were like we were ready for it since we had our son. It was close. But it was she ate one and then we were so stressed about it. It was like we can't we can't leave her alone. We have to leave this routine. And so for about 3 weeks now and she's been inside all day every day. Well, you know, I'm at work. I come home. I take over so she can pass out. We're just back and forth. we, you know, like we need to get out and we talked to some people like can we come get Adrian stepfather or ex figure he went to uh Tallaladega NASCAR and my mother's home isn't in like a spot to where he can go hang out. We're going to pick up her sister. Might as well just, you know, get him his medicine, get him his neb, get him fed. I mean, we were up since 6:00 in the morning getting ready and I thought he could just chap. We were driving and we were waiting in traffic. We debated. We sat there. talk to each other. You know, maybe I should wait another weekend, but we have stuff to do. >> Is he capable of contacting emergency services if he needs it? Does he know how to use a phone or Alexa or some type of device to contact you or emergency services if something happens? >> No. >> Did you leave something with him like a device to be able to reach you or anybody else if something happens? I did notice that the door handle on the door was locked from the outside in his bedroom. >> Yes. >> You did you lock him in before you left? >> We did. Yeah. He comes out in the middle of the night and we had to switch it. Uh I was having a hard time before but cuz at first we would just put that baby kit. We had one in the kitchen. Uh a wooden one, but he just ended up taking it down at like 2:00 in the morning. So we ended up just switching it around. Excuses kept piling up and at the same time the boy's cystic fibrosis was also revealed. >> I noticed he had like some some bites on him. Some >> Yeah, we were outside. There's lots of mosquitoes and I got a weed ear on the front from my coworker cuz there's just bugs everywhere and there's a lot of prickly. So >> why did you guys make the decision to leave him instead of taking it? >> When we take him, you know, when we go places, he can't end up, you know, just touching anything. it it's easier to take him to like Walmart when we go out cuz we have to go every other day. Not too constant. It's usually a couple times a week. We're out front. We're done cleaning the car. She's coming back and forth taking my tub away from lunches back inside and he just didn't want to he didn't want to go and he just I cleaned his seat out and I was like we can get ready to go. laid the whole hour. Really left around 1:20 because, you know, we weren't going to wait any longer. And off chance, my mother and I had to have pieces that made what he's got, which ends up lining most his organs with the mucus, making it hard for him to digest and produce enzymes to get what he needs from the food. Um, so if he doesn't have those pills, it will just run straight through. It'll it'll come out in diarrhea. He can eat normally. It's just everything he needs, he needs to have that. and the nebulizer, depending on which one you get home design or saline solution. I can't it's a long one, but there's one in the fridge in the door. >> Okay, >> it's a long name. And uh each one has its own purpose to help with either clearing his lungs. >> And then there's the chest uh vibrator shoot. It like pumps air. >> Okay. >> So, you put that vest on and you do them at the same time and it helps get things out. Most times loosen it up. >> Yeah. Yeah. Most of the time it won't come out. When he was younger, a lot of stuff came out, but you know, as he got older, it usually just follows it. And so, >> well, I noticed when we went in there that there was like a there was like a mount of diapers that were like on a changing table and then there was like a diarrhea diaper that was underneath like a bookshelf. >> Yeah. He strips. >> Okay. >> The diaper on the pile was mainly hurt cuz we used to have this thing. It like compress all the diapers in it and then you cinch them up and it becomes some long thing but it was disgusting and uh I couldn't do it. It we had flies and still kind of do actually but it produced them. So I just I got angry and tossed that thing. So now she just kind of stacks them and then I take them out when it comes too much. But >> you guys have flies in the house. >> Yeah. Yeah. There that container wasn't all that great. I'm not going to lie to you then. And it just it ended up being bad when we we leave windows open. There's flies outside and they come in and you know it started out as one too and it became a lot worse. Okay. >> They'll attract anything that you know we have >> with a logic of we need time for ourselves too. These parents shamelessly their child home alone. What did you guys do while you were away from the house? >> We went to the store, you know, just to hang out. We got to walk our way, you know, we walked, we ate, we were heading on our way back when we got a phone call from her father saying, "You need to go talk to some cops and go see your son." You guys [ __ ] up. Explain to me why >> he has an upper respiratory infection and a double ear infection. >> Uh, we know about, you know, his respiratory problem. That's why he has a one in the fridge that's supposed to be helping with that. >> Okay. >> Ear infection. I haven't been using Q-tips on him, so I don't I thought that's what caused infections. You put a Q-tip and it causes damage to your eardrum infection. >> I'm no doctor, believe me. But, uh, that's what the doctor provided me. The information the doctor provided me was that he had a double ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. >> Yeah, he's had that for a bit. That's when we went to his he has a monthly appointment. Okay. >> Every month we go and then he has a checkup. They they swab his throat. They check up on him. Just ask how the medication has been treating him. And we give him the diagnosis of just like this isn't working. And [snorts] Tyler, the mother, she was terrifyingly indifferent. Not onlying her child, but barely showing any real regret. >> How old was your song? He's stupid. And I'm aware that that was stupid. I've never done that before. I was going to ask if you've if you've done that before. I've never done that before. >> Okay. body was nobody was wanting to take him. I didn't I didn't want to take him [music] out and it was >> Why didn't you want to take him out? Let me ask you. I have this I have a kid of my own. So, I understand that toddlers are a lot to handle, but but why didn't you want to take him out with you? >> It was really hot outside and last time we took him, he got hot and we had to leave early and he was crying and screaming and he got tired do anything and nobody was willing to take him. So, we thought we could leave him for a bit, and it was my fault that we left him because I, you know, I suggested that we didn't let him. >> She even shed tears out of fear of jail, not out of sorrow for her child. >> Tyler tried turning around twice. He did. It was my fault. He tried turning around twice and said, "No, let's just go back home. Like, this is stupid, but we're we're not going to get another day out." >> What is he diagnosed with? >> Cystic fibrosis. >> When's the last time he's had a medication? He had his medication this morning when he had breakfast. He has to have the pregnancy before every meal. That's what it's called. >> Both the father and the mother were charged with aggravated child abuse and child. Under Florida law, they could face up to 35 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, and up to $120,000 in bond. Yet, according to court records, both only received probation, sentence that left many questioning the leniency of the justice system. Though [snorts] still young, the parents [music] must be held accountable for their and indifference, especially when the result is illness, malnutrition, and both physical and emotional to an innocent child. It may be difficult to imagine that everything you've just seen is drawn from real situations, moments where authorities became involved because adults lost their composure or overlooked basic responsibilities. We often tell ourselves, "This could never happen to us until a single decision sets off consequences that cannot easily be undone." [music] We hope today's video serves as a gentle reminder of the value of staying calm, thinking clearly, and above all, placing children's well-being first. If this story gave you something to pause and reflect on, please like, share, and subscribe to help bring more meaningful real [music] life stories to a wider audience. [music]