Hollywood, FL - Charges of child neglect have been dropped against Anastasiya Motalva, the 34-year-old mother accused of leaving her 4-year-old child in a hot car last Sunday.
According to Broward County Clerk of Courts records, the felony charge was dismissed. Police bodycam footage captured officers responding to the incident at a Walmart on State Road 7.
Initial reports indicated Motalva left her child in the vehicle for over 30 minutes while shopping, with the window only slightly cracked.
The car was not running. Authorities reported the child was hot and sweaty upon arrival.
The State Attorney's Office (SAO) provided a different perspective, stating the child was "unsupervised napping" with the window down, but later began crying for their mother, prompting a bystander to contact law enforcement. While acknowledging the high temperatures and heat advisory in effect, the SAO concluded there wasn't enough evidence to prove "egregious" neglect.
The SAO also disputed the timeline, suggesting Motalva's shopping trip lasted 10-15 minutes, and the car window might have been partially open, not just slightly cracked.
Despite these revisions, the SAO emphasized Motalva's actions were irresponsible.
A judge initially set a $10,000 bond for Motalva. While charges are dropped, Motalva will reportedly receive services and child safety education as Child Protective Services continues their investigation.