A Florida woman was arrested after the authorities alleged she left her young child alone at home overnight.
According to reports, officers with the North Miami Beach Police Department encountered the child on the evening of March 7. Body camera footage released by the department reportedly showed the 5-year-old walking up to officers and telling them he was alone. When questioned, the boy allegedly explained that his mother had gone to Walmart and had not told him when she would return.
The child indicated that he lived nearby and told the officers he had been alone since his mother had left the house. Investigators reported that the boy was outside wearing a long-sleeved shirt, but was not wearing pants or shoes.
According to an arrest affidavit, the child pointed officers toward the home where he said he lived. When the police knocked, no one answered the door. Officers then noticed another door was open and entered the home to check on the situation.
Inside, the authorities reportedly observed conditions they described as severe neglect and possible hoarding. Investigators alleged the residence was dirty, cluttered, and rotten food was found in multiple areas.
The authorities later identified the child’s mother as the person responsible for the residence. Investigators reportedly attempted to reach her several times but initially received no response.
Officials with the Florida Department of Children and Families also became involved in the case. According to reports, the woman allegedly told a DCF agent that a friend would come collect the child, but the individual told the authorities she was not comfortable doing so.
Police arrested the woman the following day as she was leaving the residence. She was charged with child neglect and unlawful desertion of a child and was later released with a court order prohibiting contact with her son.
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