2 kids locked in Florida shed without food or water, police say; 2 women arrested

2 kids locked in Florida shed without food or water, police say

Two young children were found abandoned inside a shed for several hours without food or water – and with access to a large hunting knife – while their mother and grandmother left to do errands, according to the Alachua Sheriff's Office.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Two young children were found abandoned inside a shed for several hours without food or water – and with access to a large hunting knife – while their mother and grandmother left to do errands, according to the Alachua Sheriff's Office.

According to the sheriff's office, witnesses found the children inside the shed without food, water, electricity, or access to a phone. A brick was placed in front of the shed doors, officials said.

The girls' mother and grandmother have been arrested under suspicion of child neglect and/or false imprisonment.

What we know:

On Saturday, June 28, a concerned citizen called the Alachua Sheriff's Office to report two 5-year-old girls found alone in a shed at 3 a.m. in the 13500 block of NE U.S. Highway 301 in Waldo, Florida. Waldo is northeast of Gainesville, and about two hours north of Orlando. 

Deputies said the shed had no electricity, no running water, and no food. That means no fans or air circulations either. A large hunting knife was found inside the shed and within the girls' reach. It was also not far from U.S. Highway 301, a major highway.

Both girls were described as being dirty, disheveled, and malnourished, deputies said.

"I want you to also keep in mind that these young girls are probably extremely scared, frightened, it's dark, it is very early between midnight and 3 to 3.30 in the morning. There is no lights on the outside of this shed either," said Captain Chris Sims, public information officer for the Alachua Sheriff's Office.

"So, Heaven forbid these young girls walk out of the shed looking for help, they would unfortunately probably wander into a major highway and, and, you know, catastrophic results would probably take place."

According to deputies, 37-year-old Tamara Stoiber, the girls' mother, had left the children in the care of their grandma, 59-year-old Sabine Thrift, to run errands. Stoiber said it was a quick trip to the store, but she was gone for several hours, ASO said.

Sims said that it appears the grandma did not want to watch the children.

Thrift is charged with two counts of child neglect. She is being held on a $20,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Stoiber is charged with child neglect and false imprisonment. She is being held on a $70,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Source: Alachua Sheriff's Office

"The safety and well-being of children remain a top priority for our agency. We are committed to protecting children from neglect and abuse, and we encourage the community to report any concerns involving child welfare. Together, we can help ensure every child has a safe environment to grow and thrive," ASO said in a statement.

Clarification: We have clarified the story above that both children were twin girls, not boys.