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University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky police officers Emily Smith, left, and Jennifer Ockerman followed what their instincts when they noticed a toddler improperly dressed for a frigid winter night on the campus.
NBC Los Angeles
Alouette Day-Moreno-Baltierra, 17 months, was spotted in Kentucky by two officers.
When two University of Kentucky officers noticed a toddler in nothing but a short-sleeved onesie being pushed in a stroller on a windy, frigid night, they had a “gut feeling” that something was amiss, said University of Kentucky Police Chief Joe Monroe.
That hunch led to the discovery of a 17-month-old girl who was reported abducted from Los Angeles, possibly by a family member, on Oct. 15.
A woman who police believe is the toddler’s grandmother was taking the child – without shoes, gloves, hat or anything to protect her face – on a stroll through the University of Kentucky campus Thursday night, when the temperature had dropped to 29 degrees and the wind was blowing about five miles per hour, Monroe told NBC Los Angeles.
Campus police officers Jennifer Ockerman and Emily Smith spotted Maria Baltierra-Dejesus, 62, pushing Alouette Day-Moreno-Baltierra in a stroller through a campus parking lot.
"This is an example of where the responding officers followed a gut feeling that something just wasn’t right with the situation," Monroe said in a press release.
Baltierra-Dejesus, who lives in New York, was booked in Kentucky on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a minor and custodial interference. She was receiving medical treatment Friday night, though Monroe would not say why.
Monroe said it was not clear where the girl’s parents are, and that she apparently belonged to the State of California.
For now, Alouette is in custody of the Kentucky Child Protective Services, which is working with LAPD and the FBI to return her to California, Monroe said.
Leave a Comment:
God bless these men !
only hope it's true and the little toddler is safe and loved.
They were women.--"Campus police officers Jennifer Ockerman and Emily Smith spotted Maria" unquote.
Regardless, though, their hunch paid off and saved the toddler.
@GRUMPY
The thought did cross my mind. Decided to refer to them as men to show my highest respect to all. No offence
I'll buy that for a dollar!
God bless these wonderful officers! They likely saved this child's life. Good for them. They deserve commendation, but whether they get it or not, they have my respect and admiration!
Profiling!
Umm, was two women officers. Did ya read the article?
How do you show the "highest respect" by referring to 2 female officers as "men"?
^lol
Thats what I was thinking oneiron... wtf? lol So many weird people.
in reply to Cheetah-822547......UMMM Excuse me are you ignorant? "Profiling"?? Do you even know what that word means?? The article did NOT say they knew something was wrong because of what the lady looked like, what she was wearing, the color of her skin etc. It said they knew something was wrong because the CHILD had NO clothing protection in 29 degree weather with winds up to 5 miles an hour. A baby cannot withstand being exposed to temperatures like that and definately not the same way an adult can. A trained Officer will (or darn well better)know that.......heck any one in their proper mind or above 16 years of age should know that. So how about you just pick a word that actually relates to the topic at hand or one you actually understand the meaning of. Comments like that are why their is so much hate and discord in the world. As for referring to the officers as men.....seriously that is not respect - try shoveling that crap to people who arent as smart as 90 percent of those actually reading this article.!!! If you want to give someone so called "highest respect" then refer to them as Officers or Law Enforcement. Give me a break!!!!!
A mistake, but still hilarious to read. Thanks for the needed laugh.
Did this really require a "gut feeling?" A half-naked baby taken for a walk by a senior citizen in weather below freezing? Duh.
Kind of scary to think it wouldn't be obvious to anyone—without having to check their gut.
As much as I am against profiling, I have to agree that in this case it was not. The officers observed something that any reasonable person would consider unusual, an improperly clad child in freezing whether. I can find reasonable suspicion and probable cause for child neglect and/or abuse. No different than leaving your toddler in the car while you go into the store. Contact can determine whether the observed event warrants charges or a call to the Red Cross.
A nice story like this and all some of you can do is get on Warren's case because he typed the wrong word or misread the article? You should be getting a nice warm fuzzy over the fact that a child's life was possibly saved but all you can do is pat yourselves on the back over how clever you are. Well congratulations to all of you....you can rest well knowing you have left me truly disgusted.
Nobody knows the full details of the case and why the child was a ward of California. I don't think the grandmother would of harmed her. It was monumentally stupid to have her dressed so poorly. And she lives in NY; was on a school campus in KY. Anyone else wondering that the parents may be near by and she took the baby out because they were hiding her in one of the dorms on campus? And...seeing a baby in summer clothes does not take gut instinct; just common sense.
If they were MEN they would have just kept going while totally lunching out!
But these female officers used their female intuition and caught the grandmother who was on the lamb.
And yes seeing a child in short sleeves is using common sense but male officers might not have seen even that much!
Thanks for reclaiming this toddler but I WOULDN'T TAKE HER BACK TO THE SAME STATE THAT LET HER BE KIDNAPPED TO BEGIN WITH!
If this was Arizona it would be "PROFILING". Arpaio would be sued...La Raza would go berserk...the baby would be "THROWN" back to grandma and Napolitano would begin legal action against the state.
The point is someone decided to get involved and ask questions because it was obviously not right to see a child dressed this way in winter. Doesn't really matter if it was her mother, father or grandmother - someone asked a question and ended up helping a defensless kid. Doesn't matter if the officers were men or women or even that they were police officers. Profiling seems irrelvant here. I don't think they should be labeled as "heros'. Doing the right thing doesn't make someone a hero.
First off i want to say God Bless these ladies for there assistace in this matter , and regardless of what others in this world may think , this childs safety should always come first , if all you people who call yourselves americans with hearts , you folks all need to have a child come up missing or be killed and then maybe you may understand life as it should be understood , these officrs rather men or women did an awsome thing for this little child ,at least have a little compassion for them.
Training,+ experience = gut feelings
Hats off too these two Police Officers, gee, seems this lady has lost her mind or what, better lock this fruit cake up.
well i'm glad the child was found and unharmed but let's face it the three stooges could have solved this crime.
My first thought, too, after reading that the child was practically nekkid in the freezing weather, was that it didn't take a genius to know something wasn't right. But I also agree that there may have been others who wouldn't have noticed/paid attention, so we're all thankful that somebody saved this toddler from harm, and grateful that these two women were on the ball.
And second, this child does not "belong" to the State of California. Ward of the state or in the custody of . . .
Deborah Cox,
I couldn't agree more.
Also, I searched for an amber alert for the state during that time period, and couldn't find one.
There is a case still pending in florida, where a child was a ward of the state and the child has gone missing. The case worker had lied about doing visits with the child.
Maybe it should be a protocol for wards of the states to also be included in amber alerts.
LMAO!!! Too Funny!
Good eye ladies and gratz on the bust/rescue of this child.... Most people would just walked on by and just complained about it....
"American who cares," I think you need to take a lesson on compassion yourself. You just wished death and/or kidnapping on a bunch of innocent children.
you folks all need to have a child come up missing or be killed and then maybe you may understand life as "it should be understood"
Keep patting yourself on the back if you want, but methinks you're not as righteous as you've led yourself to believe. Compassion is not selective.
the problem is nobody wants to get involved.My wife was in a accident on Main St. in our town at 1130 am no witness's nobody stopped until about 5 min. after accident.Two cars blocking the road ,people drove around them just so they could avoid any involvement NICE JOB
I'm shivering just thinking about that little girl out in the cold wind without a coat. I'd guess she was crying...I know I would be.
She could have frozen to death, poor little thing. The grandmother must be senile or something to take her outside dressed that way in such cold weather.
not only without a coat...without pants or even SLEEVES (let alone coat hat mittens and blanket that are neede for a child sitting still in that cold weather)!
I am sorry. That the officier's superior considers this "intuition" and stand out behavor to question the woman with the unclad baby is disheartening. I wonder if he thinks they went above and beyond the usual because HE might not have stopped the woman himself!
My thought also is that people wh care for babies and toddlers and dress them for weather MAY POSSIBLY be more clear in the moment that what they are seeing (only at a glance at first) is an anomoly and wrong (unclad baby in winter). Often those people are in fact women of the approx age of these female officers.
Maybe you men out there can tell me..or at least people who do not care for kids men and women...can you imagine not immediately in advance noticing something was wrong?
Their superior again acts like what they did was unusually astute. It would not be for me, but I work with little ones and a big part of that is being anal in how you dress them in the winter. Small bodies get colder much faster especially when not moving around (ie in a carriage)..and little ones like this can't tell you what is wrong very well.
Good Work....
Hey Warrren, read the story again. They were women, not men.
Hey Warrren, I have a quote for from the story: "Campus police officers Jennifer Ockerman and Emily Smith".
Jennifer and Emily. Now I'm not the sharpest tack in the box, but I'm pretty sure these two officers are not dudes. Maybe reading the whole article next time (and it's not even a long article lazy butt) is advisable....
Or even reading the first TWO paragraphs!
Maybe the picture of two women?
LMBO at those comments....
Hello, Warren:
God bless the women!
"Campus police officers Jennifer Ockerman and Emily Smith spotted Maria Baltierra-Dejesus, 62, pushing Alouette Day-Moreno-Baltierra in a stroller through a campus parking lot".
Good for the officers, very observant - maybe motherly/nuturing instincts too!
Tim, post number four - Seriously, does it make you feel better to be disrespectful and rude to posters to feel superior?
These were two WOMEN officers who spotted this child and saved her ! Congratulations for using your instincts and for following up on them. You both are heroes and our country is proud of you.
Seriously, they had a "gut feeling"? Are we to think other cops would find it normal for a baby with no cold weather clothing being pushed in a stroller in freezing temperatures?
Someone (the author of the article) confused "gut feeling" with "common sense".
They're not that different, Devil's Son.
Yes, they are that different. Common sense is when you make a sensible conclusion that most sane people would make. A gut feeling would be something that occurs to a few people with certain information but not all people would notice.
This was without a doubt a common sense conclusion. The baby was dressed for a warm summer day on a very cold winter night. It would have been dereliction of duty for these officers not to intervene. Anyone seeing this would have had to intervene.
Yes. Even if there were no custodial interference, it was child abuse before their very eyes!
I suspect the "gut feeling" was moving closer to check the condition of the child in the first place. From a distance, it would be difficult to see that the kid didn't have cold weather clothing on.
Just a thought.
Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that any child out in 29 degrees and no warm clothing ought to be more than a 'gut instinct' for people walking by. While I applaud these women officers, I would hope any sane human being would have called the police too.
I am just sitting here bedside myself.
Maya, thanks. I didn't see your comment before posting mine. I sure hope the officers were the first to see the baby. If anyone else did and ignored the situation; well, that would be the definition of immorality.
Notfiveo, me too. (no doubt you meant "beside myself") I'm aghast! The grandmother can't be in her right mind.
Notfiveo
Are you the one on the left or the right? Maybe in the one in the middle?
most people don't want to get involved
Great perception has led to this babies safety and return to her home in California.The grandmother's actions point to dementia or another mental condition.Thank you Officer Ockerman and Smith for that great job.
If the article is correct , it looks like the baby will be returned into foster care. It said they did not know where the parents are. I hope they got that wrong.
Agreed, they should keep the child in Kentucky until they determine why the child was so easily taken to begin with. If this isn't answered to the satisfaction of the police and child services this child is in danger of abuse and neglect in the future.
It didn't take much great perception to realize that a baby dressed for summertime on a cold winter day was in danger.
Another reason to let the police profile.....
This is not profiling. Not even close.
I doubt if a male cop would have investigated.............
Ignorance should be painful & stupidity fatal
2little... Mind telling us why you think so? Did they tell you that in dyke class?
=god: I actually agree with 2late. I've seen many children in the care of their fathers and wonder if they will reach adulthood. Most women on here would probably agree and you are obviously clueless too, oh I mean male. Your dyke comment meanspirited.
Jessie:
I was a single parent after my wife passed away at the age of 27 & left me with a 3 year old to raise. So unless you have been a single father, shut the eff up because you have no idea what you are jabbering about.
That's just nonsense. My own father was very responsible. My brother is more nurturing than his wife with my nieces and nephews. And I've often noticed that in parking lots the father tends to hold on to the kids, while mommies are too busy talking on their cell phones.
Women are just as likely to be a crappy parent as men. And I've seen many male officers show extreme compassion for children and animals.
Apparently you people haven't seen male cops at work. Do you know how often they allow violations of domestic law slip by right in front of them? Of course I can't speak for every single cop in the world but in general male cops aren't as attentive to children as female cops.
I'm not talking about MALE PARENTS, just male cops.
-god who died and left you in charge of judgements? What an @!$%# you are! Dyke class?!
Like I said you ARE a major f-ing @!$%#!
Better late than never on this one. -god, you are suspended for a week for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Strip grandma down naked in Kentucky daily and spray her with cold water in front of an industrial size fan.
I suspect grandma has a mental problem so don't be so unkind. She could have Alzheimer's and mean well. Just glad the officers acted when they did.
And these are the people OBama wants to make US citizens, when they don't even deserve to be considered as human. Go figure.
What a moronic comment. Moron.
Troll
Will Robert, to call you a moron is an insult to morons!
What a sweet looking kid. The poor child may be the only one in the family any future,( or, all of their marbles). Let's hope that an adoption is being worked on!
She "apparently belonged to the State of California"? Poor little lamb. I hope she finds a loving home and ceases to belong to California.
I think anyone who resides in California belongs to California...including me.
If she "apparently belonged to the State of California", how did grandma end up with her?
There's a lot missing from this story.
HRDawg -- I do believe that would be where the kidnapping part of the story happened...
Noticing clear negligence isn't a gut feelings.
Since when can a human being become the property of another? I thought we settled that.
Kids are property.
Children are chattel until they reach the age of independence. How do you not know that? Do you not have children for whom you are responsible?
bjorts thankfully , cannot have kids so they dont know any better
No one belongs to a state, or owned by the state. The child is in protective custody in the state of California. Children are not property!
You must not live here in CA.
Great Job. Those officers responded appropriately and the outcome was great. Unfortunately, out here, they would have been accused of profiling. Allowing officers to respond to a gut feeling would make us all a lot safer.
DBInLV,Finally some common sense comments.
Wow, if they know the child's name and maybe where she is from, how come they can't find the parents? Nothing on file????
My adopted daughter was in CA foster system. They searched for 3 years to find her biological parents. Once kids are placed the parents disappear and continue the lifestyle that led to removing the child. It is sad but true. I fostered my daughter for 3 years. The state finally gave up on the parents and got her released for adoption. Biological parent's loss , my gain. My sweetie is retarded , has cerebral palsy and is autistic , throw in ADHD very premature and a trach for 3 years. Momsy was heavy into drugs. She is my girl now and I would not change a thing. She is 17 now. She does pretty damn well.
Barbara, you gave me goose bumps. What a lucky girl to have a mom like you.
Got bless you, hon.
Barbara actually has it lucky. She doesn't have to worry about her daughter drinking and driving, doing illegal drugs, running away from home or getting pregnant.
Barbara is not the lucky one, 24 hour care, rather have a normal girl anyday even if she drinks and gets pregnant most do become good citizens. A abortion can fix her mistake. Barbara is a saint The adopted child is the Very Lucky one, most live in nursing homes.
All I can say is Barbra-3061075 is a saintly woman adoptive Mom, very few people like that in this world.
The child of 17 is very lucky to get adopted at all and was not put in a nursing home where abuse is
very rampant.
I was most unlucky with my parents, a awful father who got me and raised me. I suffered incest and disowned him at 18. Was homeless for years but my home was too awful to stay with such a Father.
My Mom was a sweety buy lost due to being disabled, I would have been far better of staying with Mom anyday. My mom was made homeless after my removal from the frying pan to the fire, my Mom got a Group Home so she could not help me, and my awful Father always won, when she tried. That's my story on top of being in a wheelchair. The nursing home was that bad I rolled out , for homelessness Saw a old man beaten in the home and I was sexually molested by staff being luckier then getting a beating but left after enough crap. Nursing Homes suck The 17 year old is very lucky.
The best solution for those who can't take care of themselves and will end up in a nursing home should have the choice of being put to sleep like they do to sick animals, or offer apartment with help when ever that's possible and if Nursing Home is only option then be allowed to be put to sleep. This law would be a God Send since 99% of Nursing Homes are worse then Jails many disabled say they rather be in Jail then a Nursing Home. That's why Dr Death did so well, all those who went to him were facing a nursing home and just bailed out of that fate of abuse. He did them a great service. That's how bad Nursing Homes Are and Those who come to the Home can be just as bad so sometimes being put to sleep in the only good choice and should be legal as a choice for the patient whos disabled or in pain or family member if person is unable to speak with a computer and their is proven abuse in Nursing Home then family should be allowed to put patient to sleep to end loved ones suffering.
The little girl would be better off staying in Kentucky where common sense still survives. Tip of the hat ladies !
Common sense? Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. Kentuckians have no sense, common or otherwise.
Despite all the ridiculous "comments", the sad thing is that this beautiful child has no apparent family, no parents, and not even a grandparent who can take care of her.
Agreed.
If you've nothing constructive to post about a toddler in distress, don't post anything at all.
Thank you. What a bunch of ridiculous and crappy natured posts.
Agreed!
I'm glad the officers were paying attention. I'm not sure it was a "gut-feeling," it was more like, "that doesn't look right." Nevertheless, it's just semantics.
It said grandma was receiving medical care, which makes me wonder if she wasn't quite put together, herself. Grandma may have been a recipient from a whole line of family members that have passed the child along to the Kentucky location.
I hope the child finds a loving home that will give her good care. It's hard enough growing up in this world with all of its quirks and quandaries. One thing I wish our states would do is make adoption easier. It takes years for all the processes to take place, and ultimately, it's the child who bears the brunt of all the indecision and paperwork. Of course, there will always be exceptions, but I would think that after one year, that a child who is not connected with his/her parents or family, should be available to a good home. Sometimes, I think we have more legislation devoted to the survival of the bi-wing, brown-toned, non-indigenous Indiana bat than we do to our children. That's a shame.
agree.
Grandmother was just walking across campus
it is almost unheard of unless something was wrong with her mentally that the child would be brought out without coat and pants.
My guess is that the grandmother had some kind of altered mental status..mental illness or physical illness causing decreased functioning, or on drugs or some kind of dementia
if she was all there she'd not take her out like that as she'd know that people would approach her and question her
I would think being with a disabled grandmother would be better then being in a string of unloving Foster Homes Their are very few good foster homes most grow up to be criminals out of the system. Barbra Foster Mother was a saint to begin with to take a very disabled child then adopt her at 3. She was very lucky to get a home.
Many so called normal children have a bad time in the Foster Home system and become tomorrows criminals, because women only Foster to get paid that is it. Very Unloving Homes.
Truly The State Would Be Better Off Having Institutions Making Them More Like Boarding Schools For These Children Which Are Orphanages Would Be Better Then Foster Homes Going From One To The Next Just People Only Doing It For The Buck. A 18 Year Institution Run Like A Boarding School Having The Kids In The Same Place Would Be A Lesser Evil, And Try To School The Kids Or Just Pay for These Kids To Be In Boarding Schools Maybe A Better Option For Some. They Can't All Be Bad To Begin With So Boarding Schools Maybe The Answer And Can't Cost More Then Foster Care System.
Kentucky??? Common sense?? Isn't Mitch Maconnel (sp) from Kentucky?
What a name for a kid. I imagine that's going to be hard to write on assignments. But is sure sets the stage for a wild life ahead.
There are just too many holes in this story. Parents? Grandma out for a frigid stroll? Califorina / Kentucky
Seriously....Journalism used to be about connecting the dots....now it's just "get it out first...reguardless"
typical of such stories here. Those of us that are logical thinkers find it frustrating..they think they are just giving the highlights of a story but they open up more questions.