Crimes

Mom Allegedly Left Twins with Grandma Who ‘Didn’t Want to Babysit.’ The Girls Were Later Found in a Shocking State

Please Share

In Alachua County, Florida, two women—a mother and a grandmother—were arrested after two little girls were found trapped in a shed under very disturbing conditions. The mother, Tamara Stoiber, who is 37 years old, reportedly dropped off her 5-year-old twin daughters at her own mother’s house, Sabine Thrift, who is 59, without any prior notice. Stoiber told Thrift she needed to go to the store, but according to the authorities, she was gone for several hours. Thrift, meanwhile, told deputies she did not want to babysit the children and did not agree to take care of them.

Later that same night, sometime between midnight and around 3:30 in the morning, someone called the police. The caller said they saw two small children left alone in a shed near a highway. When deputies arrived, they found the young girls locked inside the shed. The door had a brick placed against it to keep them from getting out. The shed was in poor condition—there was no lighting, no electricity, and no running water. It was pitch black inside, and a large kitchen knife was within reach of the children, which could have led to a dangerous situation.

There was also no food or way for the girls to call for help. They were completely alone and isolated. Although they were not physically injured, the deputies described them as being dirty, disheveled, and showing signs of malnourishment. The children were visibly scared and confused. Imagine being that young, locked in the dark with no idea when or if someone was coming back. Authorities pointed out how terrifying and dangerous the situation was, especially considering how close the shed was to a busy highway. If the girls had somehow managed to escape the shed and wandered off, they might have ended up walking into traffic in the middle of the night, which could have had tragic consequences.

The sheriff’s office said Stoiber didn’t just run a quick errand—she left her daughters in unsafe conditions for several hours with someone who made it clear she didn’t want to take care of them. Because of this, Stoiber was arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect and two counts of false imprisonment. Thrift was also arrested and taken to jail with a bond set at \$20,000.

The local sheriff’s department made a statement saying that protecting children is one of their highest priorities. They emphasized how important it is for community members to report any signs of abuse or neglect, no matter how small they may seem. They reminded the public that there are resources available for anyone who suspects a child might be in danger. People can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which is open all day, every day, offering free and confidential support in over 170 languages.

This heartbreaking situation is a reminder of how vulnerable children are when left in the care of irresponsible adults. It also highlights how crucial it is for neighbors and everyday people to speak up when they notice something that doesn’t seem right. If no one had made that call, those children might have remained in that shed even longer or ended up in a worse situation.

Please Share

Leave a Response