Insets, from left: Brian Wilks and Sara Wilks (Walton County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Miramar Beach, Florida (Google Maps).
A Florida couple accused of leaving their 6-month-old baby alone in a beach tent for about an hour while they walked with their three other children will not face additional penalties, provided they stay out of legal trouble for the next year.
Brian Wilks, 41, and his wife, Sara Wilks, 37, had been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. The couple has since entered a deferred prosecution agreement requiring them to complete 25 hours of community service, take a parenting class and avoid any arrests for one year. If they meet those conditions, prosecutors will dismiss the case.
Other people on the beach noticed the unattended infant and contacted 911.
“I am calling regarding a child that has been unattended, a baby it’s probably like 6 months, maybe 5 months,” the caller said.
Deputies responded to the scene, and paramedics were called to evaluate the baby. According to body-camera footage obtained by Law&Crime, witnesses told authorities the parents had gone for a walk down the beach and had been away for an extended period.
“They probably have been gone an hour,” one witness told deputies.
The Wilkses eventually returned from their walk, prompting deputies to ask them what had happened.
“This is a big, big issue,” a deputy said.
The couple tried to claim that they were in the area, but multiple witnesses disputed the claim. Deputies arrested the couple while the Department of Children and Families took custody of the children until family could come pick them up.
As Law&Crime previously reported, deputies said the incident could have been fatal.
“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,” a press release from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The parents were visiting the Sunshine State from Texas.
“This incident serves as a reminder that even brief moments of inattention can have serious consequences and can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes,” the press release said.
