A heart-tugging scene unfolded in a quiet Florida neighborhood when a 6-year-old girl, clutching her beloved dog named Ghost, was found “hot, thirsty and hungry,” after being abandoned by her mother.
The discovery was made around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, near Vann Park in Deltona – a suburban community located about 30 miles north of Orlando.
According to a news release from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the young girl was spotted by a concerned local resident – Tessa Welker – who immediately called authorities.
“A woman saw a 6-year-old child and her dog wandering in her front yard, then found her sitting in a chair in her carport,” the sheriff’s office said of Welker, who provided the child with clean clothes and food and water.
Abandoned by mother
When deputies arrived, they found the little girl sitting quietly, her faithful companion Ghost at her side.
“The girl said she was hot, thirsty and hungry, so the woman and a neighbor brought her food, water, toys and clean clothes…Responding deputies learned the girl’s mom and mom’s boyfriend dropped her off in the area in the morning. They also learned she was homeless and does not attend school.”
In bodycam footage released by police, the child explained that her mother and her mother’s boyfriend had dropped her off at the park earlier that day, saying only that they “had to go somewhere.” They never said if they would be coming back, People reports.
Police car ride
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, the girl spoke fondly of her dog, Ghost – who was clearly very protective of his human friend – and became excited when she learned she was going for a drive in a police cruiser.
“Yay!” she shouted, raising her arms in the air when she was told the officer would turn the overhead lights on for her journey.
She was taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center (VFRC), a support hub that provides critical services for children and families in crisis. From there, authorities were able to contact her grandparents, who stepped in to take custody and ensure she’d have the stability and care she so clearly deserved.
‘She got out’
In the early hours of Saturday morning, around 1 a.m., deputies tracked down the girl’s mother and her boyfriend.
While they were being questioned by deputies, the mother explained that they are homeless and “live in the forest.”
Disgusted by what they had done to the child, one deputy pushed to understand how a parent could “leave a kid on the side of the road.”
“She got out of where she was at,” the woman replied, attempting to defend her actions.
“Did you chain your kid up by the dog too?” the officer sniped, before handcuffing the pair.
“I was trying to go get water and food,” the mother responded. “We happen to be going through some rough times.”
After, police footage shows that the tent the family was living in was filled with trash
The pair was arrested “on charges of desertion of a child and abandonment of an animal.”
‘Be the light’
Responding to the clip shared by police on Facebook, Welker writes: “My partner and I were blessed to be able to help this young girl in her situation. She is in good care now under her grandparents and has been reunited with her dog as well! it’s a very sad world we live in all we can do is try to be the light in others lives.”
This emotional story has struck a chord with many. In the face of unimaginable abandonment, a child’s spirit remained strong — and her furry friend, Ghost, stayed loyally by her side through it all.
It’s a sobering reminder of the challenges some children face, but also a powerful example of how kindness, quick action, and community support can make all the difference.
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