Uber Driver Calls 911 After Waiting Over Two Hours for Mother to Return

FLORIDA — Emily Sabogal, 32, was arrested on February 13 after police received a 911 call from an Uber driver reporting that an intoxicated mother had exited his vehicle, leaving her two young children, ages 4 and 3, alone for over two hours.

According to bodycam video released by CBS News, the driver stated that Sabogal appeared intoxicated when she got into the car and was carrying a cup that smelled of rum.

Canceled Uber Ride, Promised to Return in "Three Minutes" Then Vanished

According to NBC South Florida, Sabogal asked the driver to deviate from the GPS route, then reached over the center console, took the driver's phone to cancel the ride, and handed him $10 cash.

The mother stated she would leave for "three minutes" and return. However, after an hour, the driver called her, and Sabogal said she would be back in 12 minutes before hanging up. Nearly two hours after she left the vehicle without being reachable, the driver called 911.

Police arrived at the scene and found the two young children thirsty and hungry, but otherwise in stable condition.

Found Intoxicated, Walking Over 2 Miles From Scene

Law enforcement located Sabogal walking outside a McDonald's restaurant, more than two miles from where the Uber was parked. According to the police report, she showed clear signs of intoxication, slurred her speech, and could not explain why she was there or why she had abandoned her children.

Authorities stated that after leaving the Uber, Sabogal went to a local restaurant she frequented multiple times a week and continued to consume several alcoholic beverages.

"You Abandoned Your Children for Two Hours" — Police Tell Mother

In the bodycam footage, Sabogal told police, "I don't know what's going on." An officer replied, "You abandoned your children for two hours. The Uber driver waited for you the entire time."

Sabogal claimed her situation was "a little complicated," explaining that her phone battery died and insisting she "didn't do anything wrong."

Faces Three Charges, Released on Bail

Sabogal was charged with one count of child neglect and two counts of child abandonment.

She appeared in court on February 15 and was released on a $1,500 bond for each charge. The case is proceeding through the legal process in Florida.