Newly released bodycam footage from police officers and the 911 call audio have brought renewed focus to the distressing case of a 13-year-old girl found chained to a fence in Hialeah. On Thursday, Telemundo 51 reported the dissemination of these materials, which shed light on the incident involving Yashira Marie Maldonado, a 34-year-old woman arrested in July for leaving her daughter exposed to the elements.
The videos and audio recordings have sparked public interest once again in this troubling case. One video shows an officer approaching the home of the girl's great-grandmother on West 63rd Street in Hialeah, where the adolescent was left chained with her backpack and shoes on the ground.
The great-grandmother is seen on the phone, expressing her distress over the situation: "She has a chain around her belly and a chain on the door," she says, pleading for the mother to return: "Please, Yashira, come back."
Police successfully freed the girl. Another bodycam video captures Maldonado leaving her apartment escorted by officers and walking towards the patrol cars.
The 911 call features a man identifying himself as the girl's father. He explains that the maternal grandmother had informed him of finding his daughter abandoned and restrained. Living in Melbourne, he expressed uncertainty about his daughter's current location: "I have no idea. I don't live there," he responded when asked. He assumed she was still there, guided by an address found in court documents.
The incident unfolded on July 11th: Maldonado arrived at the great-grandmother's home around 9:05 a.m., placed a metal chain around her daughter's waist, secured her to the fence, and left. Five minutes later, she texted the great-grandmother saying: "I got fired!"
Despite attempts, the great-grandmother could not free the girl and, fearing repercussions from her landlord, delayed calling the police. Instead, she contacted her daughter—Maldonado's mother—to intervene, but Maldonado did not respond. It was the grandmother who eventually notified authorities, who arrived around 10:00 a.m. and found the girl chained but seemingly in good health.
Nearby, there was a backpack containing clothes, diapers, wipes, and medication, but no food or water. The incident occurred during a heatwave in South Florida, with temperatures between 92 and 94 °F and a heat index reaching up to 110 °F.
According to the police report, Maldonado confessed to detectives that she felt overwhelmed by caring for her daughter after losing her job and needed a break.
Maldonado is facing charges of third-degree felonies in Florida—child abuse and child neglect without great bodily harm—each carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. She was released after posting a $10,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty in writing.
The judge has prohibited any contact between Maldonado and her daughter, who is now in the care of other family members. The court also appointed a legal representative for the girl in the criminal proceedings.
The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 9th.
Anyone with knowledge or suspicions of child abuse in Florida is encouraged to contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF) hotline at 1-800-962-2873, available 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hialeah Child Abuse Case
Who is Yashira Marie Maldonado?
Yashira Marie Maldonado is the 34-year-old mother arrested for chaining her 13-year-old daughter to a fence in Hialeah.
What charges is Maldonado facing?
Maldonado faces two third-degree felony charges under Florida law: child abuse and child neglect without causing great bodily harm.
What was found with the girl?
A backpack containing clothes, diapers, wipes, and medication was found with the girl, but there was no food or water.