Scammer
Banned
DELAND, Fla. -- A 2-year-old boy was found running in the street in traffic on North Florida Avenue and West New York Avenue
Initially, it was believed that the boy was 4 years old. However, WFTV confirmed the child's age with his father, Chris Lewis.
A neighbor spotted Logan running in traffic, grabbed him and walked the child to the Putnam Hotel, where the front desk employee said the boy lived in a room. The employee called 911.
"I just happened to glance up and see a guy standing there pulling a child out of the street and there was a few people around," witness T.C. Pateras said.
When a deputy arrived at the scene, he approached the hotel room along with the front desk clerk, and observed that the door was open.
The officer saw Logan's mother, 23-year-old Jacqueline Smith, sleeping on a mattress. He attempted to wake her up several times to no avail, until he shined a flashlight on her face. The officer then asked her if she knew where her child was. She replied that he was sleeping on the bed with her.
Police found a pill crusher by her side and Smith said, "I have a prescription for that." The officer said he noticed an off-white powdery substance inside her left nostril, consistent with narcotics use.
Smith looked inside her purse and said, "Oh, someone must have stolen my pills." She was unable to provide a prescription bottle to the officer.
The officer informed Smith that her child was running in traffic. She said she locked the door and took a nap because she hadn't slept in three days.
Police said the room was filthy and asked Smith if she had any family that could take care of Logan. Smith laughed and claimed they were all dead, including the father of the child. However, she then said the father was in the next room, but the officer found no one there.
Smith was arrested on child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. At the police station, she stated that she snorted a Xanax bar before falling asleep.
Lewis said it was a one-time mistake and defended his girlfriend.
"She has seizures and she had multiple ones a few weeks back," Lewis said.
The Department of Children and Families has custody of the boy and Lewis, who was visiting a friend when the incident happened, says he thinks there's no chance to get the boy back.
"I am a good parent. I feel like I am. A lot of people around here feel like I am," he said.
Smith was transported to the Volusia County Jail with a $1,750 bond.
Initially, it was believed that the boy was 4 years old. However, WFTV confirmed the child's age with his father, Chris Lewis.
A neighbor spotted Logan running in traffic, grabbed him and walked the child to the Putnam Hotel, where the front desk employee said the boy lived in a room. The employee called 911.
"I just happened to glance up and see a guy standing there pulling a child out of the street and there was a few people around," witness T.C. Pateras said.
When a deputy arrived at the scene, he approached the hotel room along with the front desk clerk, and observed that the door was open.
The officer saw Logan's mother, 23-year-old Jacqueline Smith, sleeping on a mattress. He attempted to wake her up several times to no avail, until he shined a flashlight on her face. The officer then asked her if she knew where her child was. She replied that he was sleeping on the bed with her.
Police found a pill crusher by her side and Smith said, "I have a prescription for that." The officer said he noticed an off-white powdery substance inside her left nostril, consistent with narcotics use.
Smith looked inside her purse and said, "Oh, someone must have stolen my pills." She was unable to provide a prescription bottle to the officer.
The officer informed Smith that her child was running in traffic. She said she locked the door and took a nap because she hadn't slept in three days.
Police said the room was filthy and asked Smith if she had any family that could take care of Logan. Smith laughed and claimed they were all dead, including the father of the child. However, she then said the father was in the next room, but the officer found no one there.
Smith was arrested on child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. At the police station, she stated that she snorted a Xanax bar before falling asleep.
Lewis said it was a one-time mistake and defended his girlfriend.
"She has seizures and she had multiple ones a few weeks back," Lewis said.
The Department of Children and Families has custody of the boy and Lewis, who was visiting a friend when the incident happened, says he thinks there's no chance to get the boy back.
"I am a good parent. I feel like I am. A lot of people around here feel like I am," he said.
Smith was transported to the Volusia County Jail with a $1,750 bond.
