Florida Mom’s SHOCKING Uber Abandonment

A Florida mother abandoned her 3- and 4-year-old children in an Uber for hours while she headed to a bar, sparking outrage over parental neglect in the rideshare age.

Story Snapshot

Emily Sabogal, 32, arrested February 13, 2026, in Sunrise, Florida, for child neglect and abandonment.
Children left unattended in Uber vehicle with driver present for several hours.
Father seeks full custody, calls incident traumatic and part of erratic behavior pattern.
Sabogal posted $1,500 bond per charge and was released; children now with father.
Raises questions on rideshare driver responsibilities and child safety protocols.

Incident Unfolds in Sunrise

Emily Sabogal took an Uber in Sunrise, Florida, on Friday evening, February 13, 2026. She exited the vehicle with her children, ages 3 and 4, still inside. Police arrested her that night on charges of child neglect and abandonment. The father received a call from a police sergeant notifying him of the arrest and the children’s situation. Sunrise Police Department responded after reports of the unattended minors.

Sabogal appeared in court Sunday, February 15. The judge set bond at $1,500 per charge. She posted bond and gained release from jail. The children experienced several hours alone in the Uber, though the driver remained present. Exact duration remains unspecified in reports. This modern twist differentiates it from traditional abandonment cases.

Father’s Response and Custody Battle

The father described the event as very traumatic for the children. He stated they are now okay and staying with him. He plans to pursue full custody. This incident follows prior erratic behavior from Sabogal, though previous events lacked documentation. Common sense demands prioritizing child safety over parental indulgences, aligning with conservative family values that emphasize responsibility.

His quotes reveal deep concern: “I don’t understand how someone in their right mind would do something like this.” He added, “She’s obviously not okay, and this needs to end.” He believes she requires help moving forward. Facts support his position; courts often favor stable parents in custody disputes, especially with documented neglect.

Rideshare Complications and Driver Role

Uber drivers face new scrutiny in this case. The driver stayed with the vehicle while Sabogal left for a bar, possibly intoxicated. Protocols demand reporting unattended minors, yet hours passed before police intervention. This gap exposes potential liabilities for rideshare companies. Florida law holds parents primarily accountable, but drivers share duty to ensure passenger safety, particularly vulnerable children.

Unlike cases where parents leave kids in personal cars outside bars, rideshares involve third-party providers. A January 28, 2026, incident saw Kristina Vitucci and Joshua Harris leave their 2-year-old in an unlocked vehicle near an Edgewater bar for two hours. Patterns of neglect persist in Florida, underscoring systemic child protection failures.

Legal and Family Consequences

Sabogal confronts serious charges under Florida statutes. Conviction risks jail time and a permanent record, impacting future custody and employment. Children face potential long-term trauma from abandonment. Family dynamics shift dramatically; father gains leverage through this evidence. Courts may mandate counseling, reflecting the father’s call for intervention over pure punishment.

Broward County courts process the case amid rising child endangerment reports. No further dates announced as of February 16, 2026. Broader implications challenge rideshare policies and parental fitness evaluations. Conservative principles affirm swift justice protects innocents, demanding accountability without excusing repeated lapses.