A disturbing incident in Florida has led to the arrest of a mother and grandmother after two young girls were found locked in a dark shed, left unsupervised with no food or means of calling for help.
Tamara Stoiber, 37, the mother of the children, and Sabine Thrift, 59, their grandmother, were arrested on charges of child neglect. Stoiber also faces additional charges of false imprisonment.
The Discovery of the Children
Around 3 a.m. on a Saturday, a concerned citizen alerted the authorities about two young children abandoned in a shed near Waldo, a small town located northeast of Gainesville.
When deputies arrived, they spoke to witnesses who had found the two 5-year-old girls locked inside the shed. The children were in a state of distress, malnourished, and appeared to be unkempt.
The shed was described as dark, with no electricity or running water. A large knife was found on top of one of the children’s backpacks, which could have posed a danger if it fell or was knocked over. The children had been left without food, and they had no way to call for help.
The shed was also dangerously close to Highway 301, a major roadway, which could have led to tragic consequences if the children had wandered out looking for help.
The Role of the Mother and Grandmother
According to reports, Stoiber, the children’s mother, claimed she left the girls with their grandmother, Thrift, for a brief errand. However, Stoiber ended up being gone for hours. Thrift, who reportedly did not want to look after the children, left the shed after just two hours and went to search for Stoiber.
During this time, the witnesses called the sheriff’s office. When Stoiber returned, she allegedly had the children with her, claiming to have walked 14 miles from Gainesville to Waldo, where she arrived soaking wet. Stoiber then reportedly ate a sandwich given to her by one of the witnesses without sharing it with the children.
The Aftermath
The children were found in a vulnerable and frightened state. Thankfully, they were not severely hurt, but they were scared and shaken by the experience. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the safety of children is a top priority, and they are committed to protecting them from neglect and abuse.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of adult responsibility and the need to ensure that children are always in a safe and caring environment. The authorities have urged the community to report any concerns regarding child welfare to help prevent further harm.
Both Stoiber and Thrift are now in custody, and the case will continue to unfold as further investigations take place.
