Florida Mother Faces Child Neglect Charges After Abandoning Children in Uber
Emily Sabogal, 32, of Sunrise, Florida, has been charged with two counts of child neglect after allegedly leaving her 3- and 4-year-old children in an Uber vehicle on February 13, 2026, and disappearing for approximately two hours. The incident prompted a 911 call from the Uber driver, who discovered Sabogal had left the children unattended.
Details of the Incident
According to the Sunrise Police Department, Sabogal left her children with the Uber driver after requesting a ride. The driver contacted authorities when Sabogal failed to return for her children. NBC Miami reports that police later found Sabogal approximately two miles away, having visited a local bar earlier in the evening.
Police body camera footage shows officers responding to the scene and finding the children in the front seat of the Uber. The children reportedly expressed concern for their mother and were described as thirsty and hungry, according to Us Magazine.
Father’s Plea for Justice
The children are now in the care of their father, who spoke to NBC6 following a court hearing. He expressed his desire for a strong prosecution, stating, “I’m here to seek justice for my kids… I hope she goes to jail.” He emphasized the potential dangers his children faced, noting, “Anything could’ve happened to them… We live in a state where there’s kidnapping, rape, murder, and she just handed them off to somebody.”
The father is seeking full custody of his children and intends to pursue this through the family court in Miami-Dade County.
Legal Charges and Investigation
Sabogal faces charges of neglect of a child without great bodily harm and desertion of a child, as reported by People Magazine. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
According to Daily Mail, Sabogal was arrested at around 11pm on February 13th after being found at a McDonald’s in Sunrise.
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