Sweating toddler found in car with unconscious driver; deputies kicked, bitten
Mon, June 16th 2025 at 4:21 PM
Updated Tue, June 17th 2025 at 6:08 PM
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12 News) — A Delray Beach bartender allegedly erupted into violence after deputies reported finding her passed out in her vehicle with a sweating toddler in the backseat.
Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) and Fire Rescue (PBCFR) responded to the Oasis Delray Beach Apartments off Atlantic Avenue around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to PBSO, the car was turned off, the windows were up, and the child was found drenched in sweat on the floorboard. His mother, identified as Monica Pagan, was reportedly unresponsive in the driver’s seat.
It is still unclear how long the child had been inside the car or why the two were parked there.
Paramedics say the child was stable but warned the outcome could have been much worse given the extreme heat at the time.
According to PBCFR, car temperatures can spike rapidly — regardless of the outside temperature.
“Whether it's 70 degrees, 90 degrees, or 100 degrees on a sunny day or even in the shade — heat builds up fast, especially in a vehicle with no A/C and the windows up,” said Elyse Carhart, Community Education Supervisor with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
In Saturday’s Delray Beach case, deputies say Pagan refused to comply with orders. Although she was told that she wasn't free to leave, Pagan allegedly said, "I'm going home," and walked away with the child in her arms.
At this point, a deputy said he grabbed Pagans' wrists and applied handcuffs, with another deputy attempting to take the child from her arms unsuccessfully.
After deputies cuffed Pagan, she turned around and kicked the deputy between the legs, according to the criminal probable cause affidavit. PBSO reported that Pagan continued to kick the deputies while they attempted to place her in the patrol car.
Pagan had to be taken to the ground and restrained before PBCFR administered ketamine, placed her on a stretcher, and transported her to Boca Medical Center. While on the stretcher, a sedated Pagan managed to bite a deputy before being wheeled away.
The deputy was also transported to Boca Medical for treatment.
Pagan is now out on bond but facing multiple charges, including child neglect, child abuse, and four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
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