Houston parents accused of leaving 6-month-old baby unattended on Florida beach for nearly an hour
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office says it happened at Miramar Beach at around noon on Friday, Oct. 10. Deputies responded after getting calls about an unattended infant under a tent on the beach.
Two Houston parents were arrested, accused of leaving a 6-month-old baby unattended on a Florida beach for nearly an hour.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office says it happened at Miramar Beach at around noon on Friday, Oct. 10. Deputies responded after getting calls about an unattended infant under a tent on the beach.
Witnesses confirmed the baby had been left unattended for nearly a hour while the parents walked down the beach with their other children.
Good Samaritans began caring for the child and called law enforcement.
While deputies waited for firefighters to come to the scene, the infant’s parents returned and, according to the sheriff’s office, admitted to placing the infant under the tent for a nap before leaving with their other children, claiming they lost track of time.
Security footage confirmed the parents were away for nearly a hour and did not bring their cell phones with them.
“South Walton Fire personnel evaluated the infant and confirmed the child’s vitals were normal and they were not in distress. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified and responded immediately to the scene,” the sheriff’s office said.
Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37, were arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. DCF took custody of the children pending the arrival of family members traveling from Texas. They both bonded out the following day on a $1,000 bond.
“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.
