A mother in South Florida was arrested after she was accused of chaining her 13-year-old daughter to a fence outside of a relative’s home and leaving her there without food, water or shade.
Authorities with the Hialeah Police Department arrested Yashira Marie Maldonado following the alleged incident that took place on the morning of Saturday, July 11, according to CBS News.
Maldonado, 34, has since been released on bond and was ordered to have no contact with her daughter.
Investigators said that Maldonado drove her daughter from their apartment to the girl’s great-grandmother’s home before she allegedly wrapped a metal chain around the child’s waist and secured the other end to the property’s fence. Maldonado then allegedly left her daughter on the fence as she drove away.
The incident was captured via a neighbor’s ring camera video, which showed Maldonado arriving at the residence shortly before 9 a.m. The footage also showed her leaving the property after she chained the girl to the fence, according to authorities.
“The defendant drove the victim in a beige Toyota Camry to the witness residence,” the arrest report stated, per the outlet. “She wrapped a metal chain around the victim’s waist and tied the other end to the house fence, restricting her from moving around.”
Maldonado reportedly left the girl with a clear backpack, some clothing and medication. Police have not revealed how long the girl was left chained to the fence.
Authorities learned of the incident when a family member, who did not live at the property, called police.
“Once the father got word of that, he contacted police,” Hialeah Police Lt. Eddie Rodriquez said, according to CBS News. “Officers arrived and sure enough found this 13-year-old child tied to the fence.”
The arrest report noted that the child was left without food or water and had no protection from the sun.
“It’s horrible. She left her outside, no shade. Right in the sun,” Rodriquez added. “The heat alone, it’s very sad for what happened to this 13-year-old child.”
Investigators also said that Maldonado sent a text message to a witness around 9:10 a.m. that read, “I got fired from my job!!!!!!”
Maldonado reportedly told officers that she knew it was wrong to chain her daughter to the fence, but she felt she needed a break from the teen.
She was ultimately arrested and was charged with child neglect and child abuse. It is not currently clear if Maldonado has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest.
The Hialeah Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
Police have not shared the child’s current condition and it’s not currently clear who she is staying with following her mother’s arrest.
Following the incident, several neighbors spoke to CBS News to express their horror over the incident.
“That is something aberrant. It deserves to be punished,” neighbor Armando Calzadillo told the outlet. “You don’t do that to a child, especially one with special needs.”
Another neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said the incident was “disturbing.” The neighbor continued, “It’s sad. I don’t know what happened in there, but it’s sad.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
