Mother's Anxiety Attack Leads To Child Neglect Charges

On January 23rd, 2023, Stuart PD officers were dispatched to a local hospital due to reports of a abandoned child on premise. Upon their arrival on scene, hospital staff explained a woman had dropped off their daughter regarding a dog bite and suddenly vanished. Upon further investigation, police began to suspect the child may be a victim of child trafficking as they could not establish a clear relationship between the young girl and the woman. After interviewing the child, the woman was charged with child neglect, assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest. The child was also taken into custody of the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS)