The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Three young children were reportedly left without supervision for about an hour while two adults allegedly spent time gambling at a Florida casino.
The youngsters were found inside a Jeep at the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood around 1:30 a.m. on November 1. According to police, casino security alerted authorities after noticing the young passengers appeared to be unconscious.
The adults were not in the vehicle when officers arrived. Police found that the Jeep’s engine was off and the windows were closed, and the children, all younger than 6, were sweating. According to police, they appeared to be in good health but had no food or water available.
Investigators later reviewed casino surveillance footage to try to figure out what had happened while the children were alone in the vehicle. According to police, the recordings showed both adults inside the casino. They were seen together at a slot machine, and the mother also appeared to gamble on her own.
That footage raised questions about the couple’s explanation for their absence. According to police, the stepfather reportedly told officers they had gone inside to use the restroom. The mother said she had remained with the children but went inside to find him because he had the vehicle keys. She estimated the children had been alone for about 20 minutes.
According to investigators, the recordings showed otherwise, and the authorities determined that the children had been without an adult for approximately an hour. During that time, the vehicle remained shut off.
According to reports, the couple have been together for about three years and share a home. Police described the stepfather as a father figure to the children.
Both suspects were taken into custody. They were each charged with three counts of child neglect.
A friend of the mother has taken responsibility for the children while the Department of Children and Families conducts its own investigation. The stepfather posted bond and has been released from jail, but the mother remains incarcerated without bond while on probation for a grand theft charge.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a child neglect offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.