CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — The mother accused of abandoning her daughter at Atlanta’s airport will get a health evaluation, police told Channel 2 Action News.
Police say Miranda Hakimi Harvey drove nearly 700 miles before leaving the 4-year old-with strangers and walking away. Investigators said they later found the woman at an Athens hotel.
Authorities still haven't said what brought Harvey to Atlanta or why the mother may have abandoned her daughter.
Harvey's family told Channel 2's Matt Johnson that Harvey grew up in metro Atlanta and was dealing with a recent death in the family.
Athens-Clarke County police said they found her at The Graduate Hotel Saturday morning around 10 a.m. after someone called 911.
“The complainant, who happens to be a guest at the hotel, told our officer that they had a guest who had checked in. She believed this person was the person she saw on TV the night before,” said Epifanio Rodriguez, with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Police said they 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 Johnson.
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Her family told Johnson that Harvey grew up in Gwinnett County and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010.
“She’s a wonderful mother. What happened was a surprise for everyone,” cousin Amanda Hakimi told Johnson.
Family members say Harvey may have been struggling with the recent death of her father.
Atlanta police are working to determine if criminal charges will be filed against her.
Harvey's family said she dedicated her life to children.
“Miranda actually helped disabled children. She went to school for and helped disabled children,” Hakimi said.
Harvey was expected to receive medical care at an undisclosed location in Athens.
Cox Media Group
