Florida Mom ABANDONS Toddlers in UBER

A Florida mother’s decision to abandon her two toddlers in an Uber for hours while she partied at a bar has sparked outrage and renewed questions about parental accountability and the limits of rideshare driver responsibility in child endangerment cases.

Story Snapshot

Emily Sabogal, 32, arrested after leaving children ages 3 and 4 unattended in Uber for hours while drinking at a Sunrise bar
Father pursuing full custody, stating this represents a pattern of erratic behavior, not an isolated incident
Sabogal posted $3,000 bond and was released; faces child neglect and abandonment charges
Incident raises questions about Uber driver protocols when passengers abandon children in vehicles

Mother Abandons Toddlers in Rideshare Vehicle

Emily Sabogal was arrested on February 13, 2026, in Sunrise, Florida, after Sunrise Police Department officers discovered she had left her 3-year-old and 4-year-old children unattended in an Uber vehicle for several hours. Sabogal allegedly ordered the rideshare to transport her and the children, then exited to drink at a bar while the youngsters remained trapped in the vehicle. The incident occurred on a Friday evening, with police contacting the children’s father through a police sergeant to inform him of the arrest and the traumatic situation his children endured.

Father Seeks Full Custody After Repeated Negligence

The children’s father revealed this incident was not an isolated event, stating Sabogal has displayed erratic behavior previously but documentation was unavailable. He expressed bewilderment at her actions, questioning how someone in their right mind could commit such neglect. The father confirmed the children are currently staying with him and indicated he will pursue full custody to protect their safety. He described the Friday night ordeal as “very traumatic” for the young victims, though he noted they are currently “okay” under his care. The father also acknowledged Sabogal needs professional help moving forward.

Court Sets Bond on Serious Charges

Sabogal appeared in court on Sunday, February 15, 2026, where a judge set bond at $1,500 per charge for child neglect and abandonment. She posted the total $3,000 bond and was released from custody. Florida’s child protection statutes treat these offenses seriously, with potential penalties including jail time and permanent criminal records. The case highlights ongoing concerns about parental fitness and child welfare systems’ ability to intervene before repeated incidents escalate. Similar cases have emerged across Florida, including a January 2026 incident where Kristina Vitucci and Joshua Harris left a 2-year-old alone in an unlocked vehicle outside an Edgewater bar for nearly two hours.

Rideshare Responsibility Questions Emerge

The incident raises significant questions about Uber driver protocols when passengers abandon children in vehicles for extended periods. Unlike traditional child endangerment cases where children are left alone in parked cars, this situation involved a driver present throughout the abandonment, creating ambiguity about awareness and responsibility. No statement from Uber regarding driver protocols or liability has been released. The exact duration the children remained in the vehicle remains unclear, with sources only specifying “hours.” This gap in rideshare accountability demonstrates potential vulnerabilities in passenger safety systems, particularly involving vulnerable minors who cannot advocate for themselves or exit dangerous situations independently.