A Florida woman, 20-year-old Alize Angel Rodriguez, has been taken into custody on charges of child neglect and drug possession after her 5-year-old son was found alone in a Miami Beach park. Witnesses reported seeing Rodriguez depart the park, leaving her son unattended for an estimated 20 minutes.
According to the police report, the young boy told officers that his mother would abandon him in the park as a form of punishment when he misbehaved. Multiple witnesses confirmed seeing Rodriguez at the park and later departing in a gray Toyota with an unidentified male, leaving her son behind.
Upon reaching the scene, police officers spoke with the boy who confirmed that he was unaware of his mother’s location. He repeated his earlier statement that his mother would leave him in the park as a disciplinary action when he misbehaved.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Rodriguez seemed to be under the influence of a substance before she left the park. Another witness reported seeing her on Meridian Avenue, where the park is located, throwing her purse into a bush. Upon examination, police discovered marijuana and several pills, including Xanax, inside the bag.
Rodriguez was later detained by the police, where she denied being under the influence. She was arrested and charged with felony child neglect without great bodily harm and possession of a controlled substance. She was also charged with a misdemeanor for possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis.
The 5-year-old boy has since been placed in the care of his maternal grandmother. Rodriguez is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $3,000 bond. The date for her next court appearance has not yet been set.