- May 1, 2026
Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast woman on three counts of child neglect after she abandoned her children at a hospital.
On April 30, deputies responded to AdventHealth Palm Coast after a 17-year-old walked into the emergency room and told staff he had been dropped off there by his mother because she was upset. The juvenile was wearing socks and no shoes and reported that his siblings had been abandoned as well. Deputies quickly contacted the other two juveniles, a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old.
The children stated their mother, Sandra Teague, 58, of Palm Coast, became extremely upset that morning and blamed them after one of their dogs had died.
The children stated this is the first time that Teague had ever dropped them off somewhere and that normally when she is upset, she would lock them outside of the house, forcing them to sleep outside. The children stated that she locks them outside of the house every other day.
The children told deputies that today was different because one of the family’s foster dogs had died and Teague was blaming it completely on them. The children stated that Teague told them, “…this is the last straw,” and then drove them to the hospital and yelled at them to get out of the car and drove off.
Deputies located Teague at her residence and began investigating the reported neglect. During the investigation, detectives determined Teague was the primary caretaker for the three juveniles. From the initial investigation deputies became further concerned about the juveniles’ care and living conditions, which included the front door area of the residence reeking of garbage and animal feces throughout the residence on the floors and walls. Deputies notified the Florida Department of Children and Families and DCF responded to the scene.
Deputies arrested Teague on three counts of child neglect and transported her to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held on no bond.
"Based on this investigation, she will never receive a mother of the year award," said Sheriff Rick Staly. "No child should ever have to live in these disgusting conditions or be treated like this."
During a search warrant of the home, 44 live dogs, three live pigs, one live cat, and one live snake were located in the residence and removed with the assistance of Palm Coast Animal Control. There were also multiple deceased animals in kennels on the property.
"Not only does she not treat or care for her children properly, but she should never own or be a foster provider for helpless animals ever again," Sheriff Staly added.
The case remains under active investigation and additional charges are likely.
