BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 27-year-old mother who Miramar police arrested after a young girl was found wandering alone early Monday morning appeared in bond court on Tuesday.
According to police, the toddler, who is 3 years old, was found by herself in the Riviera Isles community around 3 a.m.
Police said the toddler was in good health when she was found.
They confirmed shortly after 8 a.m. Monday that her parents had been located.
On Monday evening, police announced the arrest of 27-year-old Nicole Alejandro for child neglect.
Alejandro appeared in bond court Tuesday where a Broward County judge found probable cause for the incident and ordered that she have no contact with her daughter.
The judge also ruled that Alejandro must undergo a mental health evaluation.
According to prosecutors, this is the second incident involving the child after police received a report of a near-drowning incident under Alejandro’s supervision in 2021.
Alejandro is facing one count of child neglect and her bond was set at $10,000, which she posted on Tuesday.
Local 10 News was at Broward County Main Jail early Tuesday afternoon after Alejandro bonded out of jail.
Alejandro was asked by Local 10 News reporter Sanela Sabovic, “Do you have anything to say? How is your child doing?”
“Do you speak English? I said she’s fine,” she responded.
Local 10 News visited the Riviera Isles community, where officers located her at the entrance of the development, which is surrounded by lakes.
Hours later, the 3-year-old girl was seen reuniting with her grandparents.
Miramar police said Alejandro displayed a lack of concern for her child after the incident.
“The defendant (Alejandro) did not appear upset or even fazed that the victim was missing from the home since approximately 2 a.m. The defendant’s demeanor appeared disinterested about the severity of the situation,” according to the arrest report.
Police said when Alejandro was told she was going to get arrested, “the defendant’s response was ‘When can I get out?’ There was no display of emotion or remorse for this incident,” according to the report.
Local 10 News was told that the child’s grandparents are trying to get custody of their granddaughter and that they are her primary caretakers.