WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Texas couple who allegedly left their 6-month-old child unattended under a tent on Miramar Beach.
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40-year-old Brian Wilks and 37-year-old Sara Wilks have been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm.
Mugshots of Brian (left) and Sara Wilks. (Mobile County Sheriff’s Office)
According to officials, deputies were called to the 4000 block of Sandestin Boulevard around noon on Oct. 10 for a report of an unattended infant.
Deputies said when they arrived, they spoke with witnesses who said the baby had been alone for almost an hour while the parents had walked down the beach with their other three children.
“While deputies waited for South Walton Fire District personnel to arrive and assess the infant, the parents returned to the scene, where both admitted to placing the child under the tent for a nap before leaving with their other children, claiming they lost track of time,” read a WCSO news release.
Officials said they viewed surveillance, showing the parents and three children were gone for almost an hour and did not bring their cellphones.
Fire officials were able to evaluate the child and found they were OK, according to the release.
The Florida Department of Children and Families arrived at the scene and took the child into custody until other family members arrived from Texas.
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Both parents have been bonded out on a $1,000 bond.
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