MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An 18-year-old man was arrested Monday after police said a 14-year-old boy under his supervision was found wandering barefoot and in diapers along a busy street in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade police were alerted to a child neglect incident after a passerby observed the victim, who they said was crossing a busy street. The specific location of where the boy was located was not disclosed by authorities.
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Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. and immediately began efforts to locate the boy’s home and identify his caretaker, authorities said.
Police officers canvassed the area for several hours, checking with nearby residents and businesses before reuniting the boy with his family, according to the report.
Police said their investigation revealed the victim’s mother had left him in the care of Maike Mendoza, who was known to the family.
Authorities said instead of supervising the child, Mendoza left the home, leaving the boy unattended for an extended period of time.
During this time, police said the teen wandered away from the house and into the neighborhood, eventually finding himself in diapers in a potentially dangerous situation on a main road.
Police did not disclose in Mendoza’s arrest report whether the victim had a medical condition or how long he had been wandering.
Investigators said Mendoza was located and brought to the MDPD’s Northside District Station at approximately 8:29 p.m. for questioning.
After being read his Miranda rights, Mendoza provided a statement to the police that was redacted in his arrest report.
Jail records show Mendoza is facing one count of child neglect with no great bodily harm.
As of Tuesday, Mendoza is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond has not yet been determined.
Authorities have yet to release additional details about the case and whether further legal actions will be taken against the victim’s parents.