A 6-year-old girl was found alone in Deltona, Florida. Authorities arrested her mother and boyfriend for child and animal neglect.
On April 4, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a young girl seen alone on a resident’s lawn. Deputies found the child seated in a chair within the homeowner’s carport. The girl expressed feelings of being hot, thirsty, and hungry. In response, the homeowner and a neighbor provided her with food, water, toys, and clean clothing. Deltona Fire Rescue assessed her condition to ensure her well-being.
Body camera footage from the deputies revealed the girl stating that her mother had dropped her off without indicating if she would return. She mentioned that her parents had walked her to the park but did not specify when they would come back. Despite the circumstances, the child appeared in relatively good spirits and showed excitement about riding in a police car.
Further investigation revealed that the girl was not enrolled in school and had been experiencing homelessness. Authorities subsequently placed her in the care of her grandparents to ensure her safety and well-being.
The following morning, deputies located and arrested the girl’s mother and her boyfriend. Both individuals faced charges of desertion of a child and abandonment of an animal, highlighting the severity of the neglect.
