TEHACHAPI, CA - New details were released about the toddler abandoned overnight in a field. The family of the child's father confirms Stacey Nikkel got the two-year-old girl back only a few days before she got into a drunken fight and left the little girl strapped in a stroller.
Child Protective Services declined to comment on the Nikkel case citing child confidentiality laws.
However, family says the toddler was taken away from the mother in 2012. But after classes and drug tests, the toddler was returned just last week, something family says should never have been allowed.
Court documents paint a disturbing picture of what happened last weekend with Stacey Nikkel and her daughter.
"It's a sad and unfortunate situation," said Melissa Eilers, the child's aunt.
Neighbors say Nikkel and the child's father, Garrett Mainord, were drunk and pushing the little girl in a stroller down a road when the couple got into a fight.
Court documents show Mainord threatened Nikkel which is why Nikkel said she left her daughter on the side of the road. According to the Kern County Sheriff's Department, that was 10:30 Saturday night. Ten hours later two women on their way to church spotted the girl.
"I just wish she could have gotten help, and it's sad that Emma has to suffer the consequences," said Eilers.
While the two-year-old lay in the field, neighbors said her mother was sleeping just feet down the road.
"Just sadness and shock. We were all just in utter shock," said Eilers.
Family members say the condition of the girl was even more troubling. Court documents show she was diaperless, in urine and feces. She had scrapes on her arm and leg and a bruised bottom and a rash. In court documents, Nikkel claims she ran away because of threats from the child's father. But, his sister said that's not true.
"Well the blame has to go somewhere, but my brother has pretty much been accounted for," said Eilers.
Melissa Eilers suspects it was Nikkel's new boyfriend and claims Mainord was trying to kick his addictions to get back into his daughter's life.
"He had hopes that they could be a family again," said Eilers.
Family says the little girl is safe and healthy in her former foster home. The Mainords hope someday soon that family will adopt the toddler.