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Walnut Hill Woman Allegedly Abandons Five Kids At Bratt Park, Drives Under Influence To Atmore
December 20, 2011
A Walnut Hill woman is facing charges in two states after allegedly abandoning five young children at a Bratt Park and driving under the influence to an Atmore business with another child in her vehicle.
Amber Rose Ryals, age 25 of North Pine Barren Road, is charged in Alabama with driving under the influence of narcotics, theft of property and endangering the welfare of a child in Alabama. She is also wanted on an outstanding warrant and is expected to face additional charges in Florida.
Five children were found alone at the Lcp. Travis M. Nelson Park near Northview High School about noon Monday. A concerned citizen had noticed that the children, believed to range in age from 3 to 6, were alone in the park. She called the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and reported the situation.
Meanwhile in Atmore, employees at Burke’s Outlet on Lindberg Avenue reported to the Atmore Police Department that Ryals was in a vehicle directly in front of their store. They told police that they witnesses Ryals take a bottle of medication and numerous pills to the point where she was incoherent and confused.
Police said there was as small child about one year old in the backseat of the vehicle. Officers also discovered that she had taken several items from a nearby Fred’s store without paying for them. Ryals told Atmore Police that she could not remember how she got to Burke’s.
Ryals was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital for evaluation before being booked into jail.
Ryals told Atmore Police that she was extremely distraught over a lack of money to purchase Christmas presents for her children and her nieces and nephews. She told police that she had left the five children alone in the park “near the high school” while she drove to Burkes, apparently to get gifts for the children. Atmore Police first searched the Tom Byrne Park in Atmore, which is near Burkes and close to Escambia County School, but they were unable to locate the children.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Florida Department of Children of Families are both investigating the incident.
According to Escambia County (Fla.) Circuit Court records, an active failure to appear warrant for Ryals’ arrest was issued December 9 when she failed to appear in court for violating her probation in a March 2010 driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident case. She is also expected to face charges in Florida for abandoning the children.
Four of the six children involved in the incident belonged to Ryals, police said, while two were nieces or nephews. None of the children were injured. They were released into the custody of a relative.
Pictured top: A Walnut Hill woman is transported by ambulance from Burkes Outlet in Atmore Monday afternoon after allegedly abandoning five children in a Bratt Park. Pictured bottom inset: The store manager at a nearby business comforts a child that was in the vehicle with Amber Rose Ryals. Pictured below: Ryals vehicle is searched by Atmore Police. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
47 Responses to “Walnut Hill Woman Allegedly Abandons Five Kids At Bratt Park, Drives Under Influence To Atmore”
Re:dottie
I guess you didn’t read all of the comments.there are some speaking about “if you can’t afford kids don’t have them” and talking about “she was probably on welfare bla bla bla”…so yes they are speaking about it..I have known about this since day one..and have read every comment..so anyway I hope things get better soon..she’s been through a lot and needs all the help she can get in order to get better mentally..
I have never met Amber in person, but I have known her as an online friend for years, since she was still in high school. I am stunned by this whole incident. She has never fully recovered mentally or emotionally from the sudden death of her infant son a year ago nor, in my opinoin, did she receive adequate counseling. I have never known someone as traumatized as she was when it happened. I know she scared the hell out of all of us who know her. Month after month she refused to respond to our suggestions, words of compassion, etc. One of my biggest concerns was that she reconnected with a former friend who had, in years past involved, Amber in a bad life , However, for the last 6 months or so, it appeared she was coming out of it. I worried as the anniversary of his death approached that she would have a setback, but she made it through. She absolutely ADORES her kids and is a FANTASTIC mother. After the baby died and she was so deeply despondent, her husband took custody of all the other kids. While it was best for the kids, it devastated Amber and drove her deeper into depression/despondency. All she could think about was getting them back, but she also FINALLY realized she had to get herself well first. I am confident there is more to this story than is being told here. She has been excited and talking about the gifts she got the kids for Christmas. Maybe she felt it wasn’t enough. Please do not judge her until/unless the whole story is told. This is going to be very rough on her, and most of are not nearby to help. My heart is with her and her babies during this difficult time. She needs to know we are all here for her. And, Leigha, I have re-read the story several times and there is nothing said about her being on welfare. When they talk about the welfare of the children, it is about their well-being….not public assistance.
Thank you jaimie..and prayingforthelilones…amber is my best friend and anyone who knows her even just a little knows this is not her..and by no means was she on wefare..I cannot stand how people are so quick to judge and say all these things about situations they see on the news out of all places and speak on it as if they know her personally and know what is going on in her life..amber is NOT on drugs,amber is NOT an alcoholic..it didn’t even say anything abt alcohol here..it said she was under the influence..which means she could have had perscriptions she took..as for the welfare where in gods name does it say she is on welfare? Seriously people grow up..I know a lot of them are hypocrites speaking on things here as if they are saints…by no means is what happend ok at all..however what needs to be understood here is that this is NOT how she conducts herself in her life..I’m praying for my amber,for her to get better for herself and the kids..
I agree with the last post about knowing Amber. These kids had everything they needed so I am so confused on the stealing part. She did just have a head injury in a accident a few weeks ago and it was this time of year when she lost her 4th child so she is going thru a lot. For the person who said put the kids up for adoption well they have a father and family. Their father actually has fought for your freedom so maybe you shouldn’t judge so much. This is heartbreaking for her friends and family. She isn’t one to just pop out kids to get welfare. She took care of her kids. Also the car was a 7 passenger car not a 5 like someone said. Instead of judging Amber she and the kids need our help to support them. These kids were Amber’s life and like I said it is a shock to me as a friend for the past 7 years I would have never thought this would happen.
from what i understood, knowing amber she had plenty of christmas gifts for her kids. this has caught me off guard! what caused her to abandon her kids and two other kids at a park is so out of character for her. I would actually look up to her as a mother until now of course. my heart is broken for her kids they really love their mom. for those who mentioned she had to be on gov assistance and all of that again from what i understand she had no assistance at all fully taking care of these kids on her own a very involved mom. so sad! she would be the last person i would ever think would do this. I hope she gets the help she needs and in a few years when she gets herself together fully she can gets her kids back.
REGARDING:
” But, before you all decide to crucify her, you might try living one day in her life.”
What dope am I supposed to use and how much liquor? How soused should I be ere I drive down the road. Who wants to lend me children to haul as I drive around impaired?
Why would SHE want to live her life like that? Is someone forcing her? If so we must stop him before he hurts her worse or before she hurts others worse.
I don’t crucify anyone but I wonder if it is supposed to be wrong to call certain actions wrong. And if it IS wrong, how can anyone tell us it is wrong since that would be wrong too?
David for better living
and knowing right from wrong
Lots of poor families in this area but they don’t steal…lie and dump their kids in a park and then run the roads high as a kite..her choices and she needs to pay the price…just like the 2 sisters who left their kids alone to be killed in a house fire….To hell with the adult parents..Protect the kids first..
Jessica, would you still feel the same way if one or more of those kids had wandered in the road and been hit and/or killed…or if some child molester had of gotten any of them and did terrible things to them…OR WORSE? Dont be so quick to defend your friend, she did a terrible thing to 5 innocent children thet may have had horrible reprocussions. What you need to do is pray the the court system takes these kids and lets good families adopt them so they will at least have a chance in life! DON”T YOU KNOW WHEN PEOPLE GET HOOKED ON MOST DRUGS, IT IS FOREVER. EVEN IF SHE GETS HELP, SHE WILL EVENTUALLY GO BACK TO THEM, IT’S A PROVEN POINT!
I love how so many are so quick to rush to a judgment! Jesus Christ people! You have NO idea what this woman has been through. We all have our breaking points. I know and love Amber, and she has always been a loving and devoted mother. I am not defending these actions, I am not. But, before you all decide to crucify her, you might try living one day in her life. I don’t know what triggered this. But, what her and her children need right now is love and support. Not condemnation. I hope my friend gets the love, support and help that she needs so that she can be reunited with her children that she DOES love more than anything in this world! My heart goes out to her and her beautiful children!
Thank god all of the children are ok, this woman does not deserve to have them!
She really needs help!!!
would like to help these kids with some gifts! they deserve something!
REGARDING:
“All of her actions could be consequences of improper administration of whatever legal meds she was taking.”
Leaving scene of an accident or DUI over 0.15 or with child in car or those other charges shouldn’t be related to legal medications.
I feel for the kid and wish her well as well as her kids, but let’s not blame medication without justification.
David for properly functioning brains,
if not for me then for others
and safe children — whatever their ages
To “me who posted on December 21st” please let me know how to contact you to possibly help with some presents.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m sending emails to both of you, if you will both send your contact information to news@northescambia.com I will connect you rather than posting info here.
WOW, you guys are really harsh.
All of her actions could be consequences of improper administration of whatever legal meds she was taking.
While trying to flee from an abusive partner from Virginia.
Along with some metal issues brought on by who knows what.
Gheesh
Re:all comments saying if u don’t have money don’t have kidss bla bla bla…ok she was married at one point and they had children…and had money to support them,she has money and had christmas..I don’t know what in the world amber is going through to make her want to take pills and abandon my god babies…I don’t understand what’s going on with her lately but this is NOT normal for her..she has been going through it since she lost her child..this is no way an excuse for anything that has happend..this is just not a normal thing for her…I wish she would have got help before it got this bad…I’m so glad my god babies are safe and maybe she will get the help she really needs now..
This is the second time in a month this girl and her kids were in the News!!!She flipped a car in Florida with her kids too, she was so proud of the praise she got “because she put seatbelts on her kids” a tox screen should have been given then. If this girl was worried about christmas gifts for her children, she would not be burning the roads getting high she would get a job. 2 incodents of child endangerment in a 30 day time frame, sounds as if she wants something to happen to them, she even stated that she has lost one child in death already…someone really needs to keep this girl away from children and a full blown investigation done.
People keep saying the nice car & behavior don’t add up…Think @ it..she’s an addict from a hard-working, good family (with money) & they are fed up with her (cutting her off).
I pray that this woman turns her life around and strives to become the mother that we all had growing up.
You know I’m broke with kids but my kids know I love them and times at our house are hard I am open with them I have already explained to them there won’t be no gifts and you know what they understand. Usually its the parent who feels sorry about the issue. Tax time is right around the corner give them something then. By the way what a gift she gave them now you can look at it in 2 ways her carelessness and greed gave them no mother to hold or hopefully gave them a new life one that is safe and booze and drug free. Not to mention it is jesus b-day so she gave him a broken commandment but with faith and love and a will to change he will continue to give her life to where she hopefully will change.
REGARDING:
“The only time we celebrate anothers birthday by wondering what we are gonna get ”
Some might, but many are worried they won’t be able to GIVE what the other desires.
Im almost as mad all the “struggle to get gifts” comments as the entire sad story. Ahhhhh Christmas…The only time we celebrate anothers birthday by wondering what we are gonna get annnnd making sure we buy others love.
This is why florida lawmakers is wanting people drug tested who are asking for government assitance amongst other things. And u know what this just might do the trick to push the issue. So next time some of ya wanna whine about it. Think about this situation because you know if she had no money she was getting assistance.
How very sad..my heart full of prayers goes out to the innocent little ones…..in cases like this the children are at the mercy of child protection and it is unfortunate in some cases the children are given back to the parent…I saw this happen and a few days later and the end result…a very beautiful little child was burned to death…DEAD..while the parent was sleeping…because they had a hang over and didn’t get up to tend to the children…..the young child died a horrible death and the other children were placed right back in the custody of the parent….please tell me where the justice is in that….by the way the parent is still not a good parent but has gone on to have three other children and they are being cared for by relatives…at least they have a chance to grow up but their little brother was sacrificed for sleep…
My husband and I have a total of 4 children. I also have a stepchild by a previous marriage that has 2 small children. My husband is the only breadwinner in this home. Times have been extremely hard. We set aside a small amount to spend on Christmas, even though we have bills piled up. We didnt charge Christmas, we didnt buy expensive gifts, we didnt buy them alot….but what we did get them, they had fun opening and they loved the gifts. (We had to have Christmas early due to my husband being called out of town). Too many people put all the reason for the season in gifts. Yes gifts are really nice to get, but what is worth even more is happiness in the family, even during tough times. You would be amazed about how happy a child is just by playing with a pen and paper, a doll with homemade clothes that they help make. It is sometimes the simple things in life that mean the most…..and love will get you thru any of the hard times….the gifts wont.
Mom of 2…… Nobody is getting on this lady for being broke….. The reason she is being told she doesn’t need/ deserve her kids is because SHE ABANDONED THEM AT A PARK!!!
I believe if she needed Christmas that bad they do Angel Trees or Toys for Tots for families in need…..their are ppl out here that wants kids so bad but are not blessed with one child let alone 4…. Mother’s like that shouldn’t have custody of their kids unless she did try to get help!!! Them kids could of easily been grabbed up..or got into the street and got seriously hurt…just glad that the dear lord above was watching them and keep them safe!! As a mother of 3 beautiful girls which one i lost at birth, I know how it is too lose a child and its a big wake up call for me, to keep my girls closer and to be very protective! So maybe this is her wake up call..cause you never really know what you have til its gone!!And the sad thing is when I lost my child I was sober and going to church doing right by the lord…and here she is out here drinking and doing drugs and still has her kids!! Or did have her kids…just glad there okay and there is family out there to take care of these precious kids and a father to step up….I truly hope the kids have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Can’t post what I originally posted after I read this. William says to be nice. Hard to do in a situation like this. If them toddlers would have wondered into hwy. 4 it could have been allot worse. I’m glad God looks after small children just like he does fools and drunks.
REGARDING:
“Children are just happy to see a present under the tree with their name on it. ”
Quite often the best gift is the box in which the expensive, ignored toy came.
David for safe children,
big boxes and
sane and honest adults
All of you are saying she shouldn’t have children because she doesn’t have money…. Times are hard right now and maybe she lost her job. The fact that she is a shamefull excuse of a mother is whats the problem. If you don’t have the money for your children to have a Christmas you just have to do without, you don’t go steal. You certainly don’t leave your children unattended at a park either as obviously as that seems. She shouldn’t have children because she obviously doesn’t have enough sense to take care of her self let alone these poor 6 children. She obviously is driving a decent vehcile and the little baby is dressed nicely. So she has to have some source of an income. Stress and mental issues can take its tol on someone. What she did wasn’t right but no of us know the whole story. I pray they are with family that will take care of them and that she gets the help she needs to be a good mother one day and that the sweet babies have a wonderful Christmas.
People should think before having one kid they can’t afford and think much more before having four they can’t afford.
Molino Jim and se,
Dang, don’t you know anything about political correctness. That the truth hurts and no one wants to hear it.
Thank the lord for these kids welfare and hopefully the mom can be helped.
This story makes no sense at all….she drives a decent car and does drugs….shes distraught over not having money for gifts for the kids, then leaves small kids alone …so she can go buy gifts for them…..??? Sounds really fishy to me….just thankful the kids are ok. She needs help
The father is in Virginia and is working to get them back home safely as soon as possible and away from all this mess. Thank God the children are all safe.
to MolinoJim.
This situation has nothing to do with religion, only the choice this woman made. She made the decision to use drugs and alcohol and to abandon her children. The fault is hers. She should have thought of the children first and asked for help and not put her children in any danger.
I wonder why she did not ask school for help. Where is the kids father. Did he take them? I feel sorry for them. I am sure someone would have helped her if she would have just asked.
Actions across state lines…might she have federal abandoment charges against her as well? If she had money enough for drink or drug, she had money for something for the kids Christmans…if they was her true motivation.
Just lucky that none of the kids were taken or were in any other danger while left at the park.
some people should not be parents if they are just going to do drugs and abandon their kids. its pathetic!
SE–I feel the same way. The problem comes up that some “religious groups” will say any type of birth control is wrong. They do not care about the life of the child and or the parent after the birth of the child. These are to same people who make a big show of adopting children from other countries (think Haiti right now) while there are many children in this country who need home. 25 years old and 4 kids—she needs a lot of help.
I agree with SouthernBelle. Well Said.
I alson agree with Safebear. I’m so glad the wrong person didn’t runaway with these children and they were found safe. As for the mother/aunt get help.
God Bless those poor babies and I thank God some child pervert did not pick them up….makes me sick to even think about it. Let’s pray she does not get these babies back unless she proves she has changed because she will do this again and next time the children might not be so fortunate. Yes there are people who would love to have these babies and take care of them.
This is very sad…praying for those children. May God bless them and their mommy.
by the way, look at her car in the photo….there is absolutely NO way she had all these kids properly restrained in her car. There are only 5 seatbelts….but there were 7 occupants at one time. There are GOOD ,Hard working, very able and willing couples out there that would have adopted these kids long ago. People are so dang selfish.
this is a poster child for the depo shot and adoption. If you cant afford to pay for and cant properly take care of your own kids (and this means without welfare, wic, medicaid or being on drugs, etc..) then DONT have them!!!! Us taxpayers are SICK of it. Birth control is FREE. Thank goodness the kids were ok. But we can almost be assured of 2 things…1. she will get the kids back and 2. she will have more. Pitiful.
Adding to “so sad” – thank God someone decent found them. They could have been picked up by someone more crazy than the lady who left them and they could have been molested or murdered.
Christmas is hard on a lot of people, even the ones with money but it shouldn’t lead to this. She needs help – pray for them all.
This is sad. We’ve all been there. Holidays are coming and we have presents to buy. Take a minute to think about what your doing. It’s only money and it’s only gifts. Children are just happy to see a present under the tree with their name on it. No matter what it is. It’s not a reason to do something like this. Hopefully the girl can get some help. Everybody put the drugs and alcohol away and be thankful that we have children this year to buy gifts for and to say Merry Christmas to. Things could be different. Be happy to be blessed with children. I hope she can get some help and this will pass and things will get better for the family involved.
that is so sad. god bless the little children.thank god someone found them.
Lock her up!!! She obviously doesn’t comprehend that this behavior is not ok & now is a danger to young children and society….get her off the streets!! 2 leave a child period…but to leave someone else’s children alone at a park is insane. I guess you have to watch who’s hands you put your childrens safety in…even if it is your family!!