A shocking incident unfolded on a Florida beach as a Detroit woman was arrested for allegedly abandoning her baby during the night. Shamika Mitchell, 37, is now facing charges of child neglect after leaving her 1-year-old boy alone on Daytona Beach on November 8th. The temperature that night was around 57 degrees, and the child was found shivering near the water, as waves washed over him.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, Mitchell was captured on video surveillance leaving the beach just before midnight and returning to her car in the parking lot of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, where she and her children had been staying. Security at the church had allowed them to park there after Mitchell requested a safe place to stay.
The incident took a disturbing turn when one of Mitchell’s older children, a teenager, confronted her about the missing toddler. Mitchell claimed she had given the baby to his father after meeting him at a nearby convenience store. However, the son knew that the child’s father lived in Detroit and became suspicious. He asked the church’s security to call 911 before embarking on a search for the baby.
At around 12:40 a.m., a woman discovered the abandoned baby on the beach. Initially mistaking it for an animal, she soon realized it was a child as she approached. The child was on his hands and knees near the water, with waves washing over him, even submerging him at times. Bystanders quickly came to his rescue, calling 911 and trying to warm him up after removing his soaked diapers.
Sheriff’s deputies patrolling the beach responded to the scene, and a deputy placed the trembling child into a patrol car, turning on the heater to provide warmth. The child was unresponsive, with cold skin upon touch. Paramedics arrived and provided immediate medical attention. Fortunately, the baby has since been released from the hospital and is now under proper care.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s boyfriend, DeShawn Gales, expressed confusion about why she allegedly abandoned the baby. The Department of Children and Families took custody of Mitchell’s three other children for the night. They were later handed over to their grandparents, who traveled from Michigan to Florida to retrieve them.
Following the incident, Mitchell was arrested and is currently being held at the Volusia County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Additionally, her older son who confronted her was also arrested after allegedly attempting to assault her and two police officers who intervened. It remains unclear if he will face charges.
This distressing incident has raised concerns about child neglect and the safety of vulnerable individuals. Local authorities are investigating the motives behind Mitchell’s actions, and the community hopes for justice to be served.
