A tragic scene unfolded in Deltona last Friday as deputies responded to a report of a 6-year-old girl aimlessly wandering with her dog. The Volusia County Sheriff's Department, according to WFTV, stated that the girl, discovered near Vann Park around 4:30 p.m., was taken under the care of the community after a local woman found her sitting in a chair on her carport, appearing hot, thirsty, and hungry. Community members immediately offered assistance, providing the child with food, water, toys, and clean clothing.
The response by the deputies was swift in addressing the child's immediate needs. Deltona Fire Rescue was on the scene to ensure her health and well-being, checking her vitals and deeming her physical state stable. The investigation revealed that the girl’s mother and her boyfriend were allegedly responsible for abandoning the child that morning. According to the Volusia Sheriff's Department, it came to light that the young girl was homeless and not enrolled in school, exposing deeper layers of neglect beyond the immediate abandonment.
Following the incident, the girl was taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center, an intervention hub providing various social services to children and families in vulnerable positions. It was there that authorities managed to locate and contact the child’s grandparents, who were then given custody, as indicated in the reports of the day. Reflecting the community's concern for all living creatures involved, her dog was carefully handed over to Deltona Animal Control, ensuring that the pet would receive proper care and attention.
