A woman accused of leaving her 4-year-old at Atlanta’s airport is receiving medical treatment.
Police said Miranda Hakimi Harvey drove nearly 700 miles before leaving her daughter with strangers and walking away. Investigators said they later found Harvey at an Athens hotel.
Authorities still haven't said what brought Harvey to Atlanta or why the mother may have abandoned her daughter.
Her shocked family told Channel 2 Action News the allegations are out of character.
Harvey’s cousin, Amanda Hakimi, told the news station that Harvey grew up in Gwinnett County and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010.
“She’s a wonderful mother,” Halimi said. “What happened was a surprise for everyone.”
Athens-Clarke County police spokesman Epifanio Rodriguez said a guest at The Graduate Hotel called 911 after recognizing Harvey.
“She believed this person was the person she saw on TV the night before,” Rodriguez said.
Police asked Harvey basic questions, but she couldn't answer them.
“At that point, they realized that she seemed to be disheveled, she seemed to be confused, gave her medical treatment as far as calling an ambulance,” Rodriguez told Channel 2.
Harvey may have been struggling with the recent death of her father, her family said, adding that she dedicated her life to children.
“Miranda actually helped disabled children,”Hakimi said. “She went to school for and helped disabled children.”
Atlanta police are working to determine if criminal charges will be filed against her.
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