Little girl found in car following chase

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Cocoa Police said a 3-year-old girl was located inside her mother’s car after the woman allegedly robbed a Wendy’s and led police on a chase through Rockledge early Friday morning.

Police said the mother was armed with a handgun and got away with more than $600 after she robbed a Wendy's using the drive-thru. Her car was spotted shortly after the robbery. Brevard County deputies followed the woman after spotting her vehicle in Rocklegede.

Officers deployed stop sticks to stop the woman, forcing her to end the chase. When officers approached the car they realized there was a little girl inside and that her mother was smoking crack coaine. She refused to get out of the car and was removed forcefully by officers.

Both mother and daughter were taken to Wuesthoff Hospital for medical treatment.

Brevard County officers said they were not aware there was a child inside the car until the woman's car came to a stop. The little girl was not injured during the incident and was in a car seat.

The mother has been identified as 33-year-old Miranda Marie Peters/Ortiz.  Police said they searched her vehicle and were not able to recover the handgun she allegedly used in the robbery. Peters/Ortiz has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated child abuse and possession of cocaine.

The daughter was released to a family member after the Department of Children & Families were notified and intervened.