Florida Mother Faces Charges After Allegedly Deserting Children in Uber Vehicle
A Florida mother has been arrested and charged with child neglect after police allege she abandoned her two young children in an Uber for approximately two hours while she was intoxicated. The incident, which unfolded on the evening of February 13 in Sunrise, Florida, saw Emily Sabogal, aged 32, taken into custody following a frantic search by law enforcement officers.
Driver's Distress Call Leads to Police Intervention
The situation came to light when an Uber driver contacted emergency services via a 911 call, reporting that Sabogal had exited his vehicle and failed to return for an extended period, leaving her three-year-old and four-year-old children unattended in the back seat. According to the official arrest report, the driver informed authorities that Sabogal had been holding a cup containing what he believed to be liquor when she initially entered the car with her children.
Body camera footage obtained by local media outlets shows the responding officer being invited by the driver to smell the cup, which allegedly contained rum. After ensuring the children were safe and in good spirits, though they complained of hunger and thirst, officers immediately launched a search for Sabogal.
Mother's Explanation Deemed Insufficient by Authorities
Police eventually located Sabogal at a shopping centre approximately 2.2 miles away from where the Uber was parked. When confronted by officers, Sabogal offered a simple excuse for her absence, stating repeatedly that her phone had died. She insisted she had not abandoned her children and declared, "I'm not a criminal."
The arresting officer responded bluntly, telling her, "What's going on is you deserted your kids for two hours, that's what's going on. That Uber driver's been sitting with your kids waiting for you to come back for the past two hours."
Further Details Emerge from Police Investigation
Investigators later uncovered additional concerning details about Sabogal's behaviour that evening. They learned that prior to calling the Uber, Sabogal had visited a restaurant with her children, where she reportedly ordered multiple alcoholic beverages. Restaurant staff indicated to police that Sabogal was a frequent patron, sometimes visiting up to five days per week.
The Uber driver provided a detailed account of the events leading up to Sabogal's disappearance. He told police that Sabogal had asked him to deviate from the planned route several times before ultimately cancelling the ride and handing him ten dollars. She then allegedly instructed him to stop the vehicle, promising she would return within minutes.
Key Timeline of Events:- Sabogal and her children enter Uber after karate lessons
- Driver reports Sabogal had cup containing suspected alcohol
- Sabogal exits vehicle, promising quick return
- After one hour, driver calls Sabogal; she promises return in 12 minutes
- After second hour, driver calls 911 when Sabogal doesn't answer
- Police find children in Uber, begin search for mother
- Sabogal located 2.2 miles away at shopping centre
Legal Consequences and Family Fallout
Upon being located, officers noted that Sabogal had alcohol on her breath and was slurring her words. She was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of child neglect and two counts of desertion of a child. Sabogal was later released from jail after posting a three thousand dollar bond.
The children were placed in the care of their father, who told media outlets that this was not the first instance of Sabogal displaying what he described as "erratic" behaviour. He indicated he plans to file for full custody of the children in light of the incident.
Local authorities have confirmed the charges against Sabogal, though neither the Sunrise Police Department nor the Broward County Sheriff's Office provided additional comment when contacted about the case. The incident has raised serious questions about parental responsibility and the safety of children in ride-sharing situations.
