A disoriented female with her young son, only in a T-shirt, and diaper found in 23 degree weather

Posted by Travis Uresk | April 21st, 2023 | Child Abuse |

By Travis Uresk

4/21/23

Vernal,-Ut.- On 3/13/23, Officer Ross with the VPD responded to a welfare check a Zion's Bank at 1 West Main Street at around 9:30 pm. Several witnesses had called into dispatch, stating there was a young boy around four years old, not wearing much clothing and a female.

When Officer Ross arrived at the area, several individuals were in front of the bank, and a female in a black tank top and gray leggings was leaning on the bank wall. The female was previously standing in the roadway.

Several witnesses informed the Officer that she was the child's mother. One of the bystanders had taken the child and placed him inside her vehicle to keep him warm, as he was without shoes, a jacket, or any warm clothing. On this night, it was 23 degrees.

The mother of the child was identified as 31-year-old Sydney Kirstin Garcia.

Sydney had difficulty identifying herself as she was very disoriented, her cheeks were bright red, and her face glistened with sweat. While responding to questions, Sydney was lost in her train of thought.

Sydney stated she was at her residence and attempted to open the bank's front doors. She couldn't find any items such as her identification, a phone, or a blanket she thought she had. Sydney almost fell over several times while Officer Ross was speaking with her.

Officer Ross determined Sydney was a danger to herself and her child as she wasn’t coherent, couldn’t maintain her balance, and had difficulty remembering who she was or where she was at.

The 4-year-old child was only wearing a t-shirt, a diaper, and socks in below-freezing weather.

Sydney is the child's current caregiver, and the witnesses stated they had seen them both outside for several hours.

Sydney was handcuffed, secured into the patrol vehicle, and taken to the Uintah County Jail to be booked.

While at the jail, Sydney disclosed she uses multiple prescription drugs and was unsure what drugs she recently used, when, or how many she had taken.