Police in Hialeah, Florida, arrested Yashira Marie Maldonado, 34, on charges of child abuse and child neglect after she allegedly chained her 13-year-old daughter to a fence and left her without food, water, or protection from the sun.
Incident details
According to an arrest report, Maldonado and her daughter arrived at the residence of the teen’s great-grandmother before 10 a.m. on Saturday. The mother allegedly wrapped a metal chain around her daughter’s waist and tied the other end to the house’s fence, then drove away in a beige Toyota Camry, leaving the girl with only a clear bookbag, some clothing, and medication.
The victim’s great-grandmother told police she received a text message from Maldonado at about 9:10 a.m. stating, “I got fired from my job.” After opening the front door and seeing her granddaughter chained up, she closed it “in disbelief.” The grandmother attempted to release the girl but was unsuccessful. She told officers she did not call police because she feared her landlord would evict her.
Police response
Hialeah Police Lt. Eddie Rodriguez said the girl’s father contacted police after learning of the situation. “Officers arrived and sure enough found this 13-year-old child tied to the fence. It's horrible. She left her outside, no shade. Right in the sun. The heat alone, it's very sad for what happened to this 13-year-old child,” Rodriguez stated.
Police added that Maldonado’s mother had gone to her daughter’s home to plead with her to free the child. The investigation is ongoing, and Maldonado faces child abuse and child neglect charges.
