Florida Mother Arrested for Leaving Children with Uber Driver

A mother in Florida was taken into custody after reportedly leaving her two young kids alone with an Uber driver for over two hours while she drank at a nearby restaurant, according to officials.

Emily Sabogal was arrested on February 13 after police responded to a 911 call from the rideshare driver, who informed them that the intoxicated mother had abruptly left, leaving her children behind.

The driver explained to police that he believed Sabogal, who is 32, entered his vehicle with her children, aged 4 and 3, while appearing drunk and consuming alcohol from a cup that smelled like rum, as seen in body camera footage.

During the ride, Sabogal made comments in Spanish, expressing disbelief over being perceived as irresponsible. At one point, she deviated from the GPS directions, instructed the driver to turn back, and then took his phone from the center console, concluding the trip and giving him a $10 bill, as reported by police.

Sabogal informed the driver that he had three minutes to exit the car. After an hour passed without any communication, he called his mother, who told him she would return shortly and then ended the call.

After not being able to reach Sabogal again, the driver called 911 nearly two hours post-departure.

Upon police arrival, the two children were found to be thirsty and hungry, but fortunately “in good health,” according to local news sources.

Officers located Sabogal walking outside a McDonald’s more than two miles away. She seemed intoxicated, responding to questions with slurred speech, and she faced charges for one count of child neglect and two counts of child neglect.

Reports indicated that officers detected alcohol on Sabogal’s breath, but she failed to provide a clear explanation for her abandonment of the children or how she ended up at the fast-food restaurant.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” Sabogal remarked to the officers, to which a police officer retorted, “You abandoned your kids for two hours! That’s what’s happening.” The officer pointed out that the Uber driver had been waiting with her children during that time.

Sabogal’s response was somewhat vague, suggesting that the situation was complicated and mentioning a broken phone, while insisting she hadn’t done anything wrong.

After abandoning the Uber, it was reported that she regularly visited the local restaurant, potentially up to five times a week, and consumed multiple drinks each time.

Sabogal appeared in court on February 15 and was released after posting $1,500 bail for each count against her.