---
id: 8d3f38b238
section: safety
first_reported: 2026-11-11 23:59 EST
updated: 2026-11-12 12:35 EST
status: reported
outlets: 4
---

# Police charge mother after 5-year-old found alone in South Miami store

Police said a nonverbal 5-year-old with autism was found wandering alone twice in four days at a South Miami Family Dollar. Her mother was arrested.

Section: [Public Safety](/miami/section/safety.md) · Entities: none

## Coverage

- [NBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ)](https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/mom-arrested-after-daughter-with-autism-found-wandering-alone-in-south-miami-cops-say/3887205/), 2026-11-11 23:59 EST: Mom arrested after daughter with autism found wandering alone in South Miami, cops say
- [Local 10 News (WPLG, ABC)](https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/11/12/mother-arrested-after-5-year-old-daughter-with-autism-found-wandering-alone-twice-in-south-miami-family-dollar-store-police-say/), 2026-11-12 08:25 EST: Mother arrested after 5-year-old daughter with autism found wandering alone twice in South Miami Family Dollar store, police say
- [WSVN 7News (FOX)](https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/south-miami-mother-child-neglect/), 2026-11-12 11:16 EST: Mother of 5-year-old girl found wandering South Miami Family Dollar twice within a week charged with child neglect
- [CBS News Miami (WFOR)](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/video-shows-child-running-through-parking-lot-alone-at-south-miami-store/), 2026-11-12 12:35 EST: Video shows child running through parking lot alone at South Miami store

Headline and summary written by the Acta Diurna desk from the coverage above. Read the original reporting for full detail.