South Florida developments include arrests in Sunrise and Miami-Dade, plus Florida audit of public spending

Key developments across South Florida

Several law-enforcement actions and a new statewide oversight initiative were announced in South Florida in mid-to-late February 2026, spanning allegations of child neglect, counterfeit luxury goods sales, and a drive-by shooting investigation. Separately, Florida’s attorney general unveiled a new public integrity effort aimed at reviewing government spending for potential criminal conduct.

Sunrise: mother arrested after children left with rideshare driver, police video released

In Sunrise, newly released police body-worn camera footage captured officers responding after a rideshare driver reported that a mother left two young children inside his vehicle for an extended period. Authorities said the mother, 32-year-old Emily Sabogal, was arrested on Friday night, Feb. 13, 2026, and later faced charges of neglect of a child without great bodily harm and desertion of a child.

Police reported that the driver contacted law enforcement after he was unable to reach the mother and waited with the children. Officers later located Sabogal at a nearby shopping plaza. An arrest report cited indicators of impairment, including slurred speech and the odor of alcohol, and alleged she made multiple incoherent statements. Court records referenced in the reporting show bond was set at $1,500 per charge, and she was released after posting bond.

The case centers on the timeline between the mother leaving the vehicle and officers locating her, and on whether the circumstances meet statutory thresholds for neglect and desertion charges.

Miami and Hialeah: jewelry shop owner arrested in counterfeit luxury goods investigation

In Miami-Dade County, 43-year-old Manuel DeJesus Beltran-Machado was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2026, in an investigation alleging the sale of counterfeit luxury-branded jewelry. Investigators said purchases made during the inquiry were examined and determined to be counterfeit, and that the alleged activity involved luxury brand markings sold at prices far below retail value.

The arrest report cited a charge related to the sale of counterfeit labels valued over $20,000. The case highlights how counterfeit goods investigations frequently rely on controlled purchases, product examinations, and brand-authentication processes.

Southwest Miami-Dade: two teens charged after drive-by shooting leaves 15-year-old hospitalized

In southwest Miami-Dade, authorities said a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting that occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, near Southwest 152nd Avenue and 75th Street. A 15-year-old victim was shot multiple times and taken to a hospital; investigators said the teen remained in critical condition but was expected to survive.

Investigators described evidence that included dashcam and surveillance video. Arrest reports stated that an argument preceded the gunfire and that shots were fired from a vehicle as it left the scene. Authorities said the investigation remained active and that it was not yet clear whether the victims were targeted.

State oversight: attorney general announces public integrity unit and spending review

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the creation of a public integrity unit housed within the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The initiative includes an audit-style review of legislative appropriations from the last several years, focusing on spending categories such as grants, procurements, and funding distributed to nonprofits and other recipients of public benefits. The stated scope includes examining potential crimes such as bribes, kickbacks, conflicts of interest, and misuse of public funds for personal gain.

• Sunrise: child neglect and desertion allegations linked to rideshare incident and bodycam footage
• Miami-Dade: counterfeit luxury jewelry investigation leads to arrest of shop owner
• Southwest Miami-Dade: two teens charged after drive-by shooting injures 15-year-old
• Florida: new public integrity unit announces review of public spending and appropriations