Police say a Sunrise mother left two young children inside an Uber for hours, a decision that now has her facing criminal charges and a looming custody battle in Broward County court.
The children’s father told Local 10 that a police sergeant called his family to explain the mother’s arrest and that she had left the children in the ride-hail car while “drunk or getting drunk.” He told the station this was not the first time the mother has shown erratic behavior and said he plans to seek full custody of the children.
Charges and Court
Officers arrested 32-year-old Emily Sabogal on Friday night in Sunrise and charged her with child neglect and abandonment, according to Local 10. A judge set bond at $1,500 for each count, and Sabogal posted bond and was released. “I’m very concerned for the safety of my children,” the father told the station.
What Florida Law Says
Florida defines unlawful desertion of a child as leaving a child in circumstances that expose them to unreasonable risk of harm, and the conduct in this case fits the statute prosecutors commonly use in abandonment cases, per Florida Statute 827.10. Sentencing rules in the state’s criminal code set the maximum term for a third-degree felony at up to five years in prison and allow for fines, as outlined in Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes.
Cases like this can move on two tracks at once, with both a criminal case and a separate child-welfare review. The Florida Department of Children and Families operates a 24/7 abuse hotline and also accepts online reports, the agency notes. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue additional charges, and any family-court petitions over custody or dependency can proceed independently of the criminal case…