A Florida mother allegedly left her four children unsupervised for nearly a week while traveling to Las Vegas. Police arrested her after her youngest child suffered head injuries during her absence.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, a child called 911 shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, reporting that her 9-year-old brother had been injured when a dumbbell fell on his head. Deputies found all four children—ages 14, 12, 11, and 9—at their residence without supervision. Fire rescue personnel transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital for treatment; he was later discharged.
When contacted by police, 50-year-old Irene Miller of Kissimmee claimed she had arranged for a babysitter from Tampa to pick up the children in the mornings and check on them after school but stated the babysitter would not stay overnight. Miller told officers she was working in Las Vegas and planned to return Friday, October 23.
Police report that Miller departed Florida for Nevada on October 18. Authorities state Miller is a professional photographer who reportedly worked with a client in Las Vegas associated with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s office shows deputies confronting Miller at Orlando International Airport after she landed from Las Vegas on Friday. She was booked into Orange County Jail and charged with four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Miller has since posted bond and been released.
Police contacted the children’s father, who took all four children to his home. Osceola Sheriff Chris Blackmon stated: “The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect. These cases will be investigated, and charges will be brought against parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children.” Miller’s next court date has not been set.
