Uber Driver Calls 911 After Intoxicated Mother Allegedly Leaves Children Behind

by Ryan Yousefi February 17, 2026

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Emily Sabogal {BSO}

A woman was arrested after police say she abandoned her two young children inside an Uber vehicle and walked away, leaving the driver to call 911 for help.

According to a report from the Sunrise Police Department, on February 14, an officer responded to the 10800 block of Northwest 50th Street around 11:00 p.m. after an Uber driver reported that his passenger had deserted her children in his car.

Police said the driver had picked up Emily Sabogal, 32, of Tamarac, and her two children from a shopping plaza along West Commercial Boulevard. The driver told officers that Sabogal was holding a cup that he believed contained alcohol.

During the ride, Sabogal repeatedly said in Spanish, “He thinks I’m stupid,” according to the report.

Authorities say Sabogal then reached over the center console, grabbed the driver’s phone, and canceled the ride through the app. She allegedly handed the driver $10 in cash and asked him to stop near Northwest 108th Avenue and Northwest 50th Street.

According to police, Sabogal exited the vehicle and told the driver she would return in three minutes. When she failed to come back, the driver waited about an hour before calling her. Police said she answered and told him she would return in 12 minutes, then hung up. A subsequent call went unanswered, prompting the driver to contact 911.

Officers arrived and found the two children still inside the vehicle. According to the report, the children appeared to be in good health and good spirits, but told officers they were hungry and thirsty.

Police later located Sabogal walking outside a McDonald’s approximately 2.2 miles away. Authorities said she was unable to explain why she left her children with a stranger or how she traveled to the restaurant.

Investigators also spoke with staff at Bob G’s Wings N’ Things on Commercial Boulevard, who told police Sabogal is a regular customer and had been there earlier that evening with her children. Employees reported that the children were running around unsupervised while Sabogal consumed multiple alcoholic beverages at the bar.

The children’s father told Local 10 News over the weekend that he is “very concerned for the safety of my children.” He added that this is not the first time Sabogal has exhibited what he described as erratic behavior and said he intends to pursue full custody of the children.

Sabogal was arrested on charges of child neglect and abandonment. She was later released from jail after posting a $3,000 bond.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi: Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.