Being a parent is the biggest responsibility a person can possibly have and though it might require some sacrifices, most find it to be worth it as long as their kids are happy and safe. But not 23-year-old Florida mom Yvonne Rodriguez! She is facing child neglect charges after leaving her three little kids home alone while she went shopping–and then, telling the police that her "mature" 5-year-old boy was babysitting!
The mom had initially asked a friend to watch the kids, but then decided to leave them alone while she went grocery shopping, browsed at Best Buy, and got her nails done. After police got an anonymous tip, they showed up at Rodriguez's apartment to find her three children, ages 5, 3 and 2, by themselves. When the oldest child (who is still just a baby himself) opened the door, he reportedly said, "Policemen, mommy is not here. I'm watching my sisters. Can you watch us now?" Aww, that poor kid!
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When Rodriguez FINALLY decided to come home over an hour and a half later, she told officers that she believed her 5-year-old was "mature enough" to take care of his younger sisters. Um, is she insane? Five-year-olds are barely out of toddler territory and have no business being left completely unsupervised, let alone in charge of two other even younger children!
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with three counts of child neglect and the children were (thankfully) placed with a relative…which is definitely the right move considering Rodriguez's unbelievable selfish actions. If she doesn't care enough about her kids to forgo things like getting a manicure and shopping (which are clearly way more important than her children's needs in her book), she should not be a parent. Period. I just hope that from now on, those kids remain safe and sound!
Image via Osceola County Sheriff's Office
