Two Young Children Found Alone on Vacant Lot in El Sobradillo Prompt Police Response in Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz City Council’s safety zone reported on Monday, July 25, that local police were required to assist two young children, ages 2 and 11, who were found alone on a plot in El Sobradillo. Authorities indicated the children had been temporarily abandoned by their parents. The situation prompted immediate intervention to ensure the minors’ safety and wellbeing. [Citation: Government of the Canary Islands]
Officers were dispatched around 18:00 after a notice warned of the risk to the children. Upon arrival, a neighbor was providing water to the youngsters due to their vulnerable state and the high temperatures recorded at the time. The search for the mother of the minors proved unsuccessful, and it was noted that there was no shaded area on the vacant lot where the children waited. The scene underscored the urgent hazard posed by the heat and exposure. [Citation: Local Police]
Witnesses in the neighborhood described a recurring pattern, explaining that the parent had previously left the children alone in the area, leaving food at times while the children remained there for extended periods. The accounts suggested a disturbing routine rather than a one-off incident, raising concerns about chronic neglect. [Citation: Community statements]
Local Police confirmed that the minors were under significant stress when found. The safety area noted that the vulnerabilities had been thoroughly assessed. Given the seriousness of the events, the Juvenile Prosecution Subordinate Unit was activated to guide the proper procedures in these cases. [Citation: Juvenile Prosecution]
Despite continuous efforts to locate the mother, no results emerged. Judicial authorities decided that the children should be admitted to a reception center to ensure their immediate safety. It was determined that the younger child, a two-year-old boy, would be transferred to the Tíncer health center for evaluation. Neighbors reiterated that this behavior appeared to be a habitual pattern on the part of the mother. [Citation: Child Protection Services]
Meanwhile, steps were initiated to conduct the formal proceedings due to the level of risk to the minors and the potential criminal liability of the parent. Statements were taken from the mother, who was later contacted through the Canary Islands Government Emergency and Security Coordination Center, Cecoes, at the Local Police Communications Room. There was expressed concern about her inability to locate the children after leaving them alone. [Citation: Cecoes]
The 45-year-old woman was summoned to appear at the police station by a Santa Cruz Local Police commander. The children were subsequently placed under the care of their mother. Authorities provided a full briefing on the actions undertaken by the Child Prosecutor’s Office, the municipality’s Social Care Directorate, and the General Directorate of Child and Family Protection. All relevant reports and proceedings were to be forwarded to the appropriate authorities, under the oversight of the Government of the Canary Islands. [Citation: Canary Islands Government]