WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Two Texas parents are facing child abuse charges for leaving their six-month-old baby unattended beneath a tent on the beach for nearly an hour in Miramar Beach, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37 — both of Houston, Texas — were arrested Friday and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. They both bonded out the following day on a $1,000 bond.
Around noon last Friday, deputies were called to the beach on Sandestin Boulevard for reports of an unattended infant on the beach.
“When deputies arrived, witnesses confirmed the child had been left alone for nearly an hour while the parents walked down the beach with three other children,” the sheriff’s office says in a release. “Good Samaritans immediately began caring for the child and called law enforcement.”
The parents eventually returned to the scene and both admitted to placing the child under the tent for a nap before leaving with their other children, according to the sheriff’s office. Both claimed they lost track of time.
“Security footage obtained during the investigation confirmed the family was away for nearly an hour and did not bring their cell phone with them,” the release states.
South Walton Fire personnel evaluated the infant and confirmed the child’s vitals were normal and they were not in distress.
DCF took custody of the children pending the arrival of family members traveling from Texas.
“We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson.