Inset: Amanda Thorpe (Orange County Jail). Background: Guests cool off under a water mist by the globe at Universal Studios CityWalk at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 5, 2019 (AP Photo/John Raoux, File).
A shocking incident unfolded at Universal Studios in Florida, where a mother allegedly abandoned her 12-year-old daughter in a bar, opting instead to visit another drinking establishment. The mother, identified as Amanda Thorpe, reportedly told her daughter “f— you” before leaving in anger.
Amanda Thorpe, aged 33, now faces charges of child neglect, according to court documents. The events were detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. The affidavit outlines that the incident began at CW Shoreline Bar within Universal’s CityWalk on a Saturday evening. Witnesses reported that Thorpe, already under the influence of alcohol, had a confrontation with another patron.
As the evening progressed, Thorpe expressed a desire to visit another bar, while her daughter wished to return to their hotel room. This disagreement reportedly infuriated Thorpe, leading her to make an obscene gesture towards her daughter, utter a profanity, and leave her behind as she headed to the Red Coconut Club.
The young girl, left alone at the bar, caught the attention of other patrons, who promptly contacted law enforcement. Officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find the child visibly distressed, in tears, and sitting alone on a bar stool.
Meanwhile, at the Red Coconut Club, deputies discovered Thorpe on the dance floor, drink in hand. When questioned about her daughter’s whereabouts, Thorpe initially claimed she believed the girl was with her. She later stated that her daughter was in their hotel room.
The arrest affidavit further noted Thorpe’s impaired state, describing her as having bloodshot eyes, unstable balance, and a noticeable fruity scent on her breath, indicating intoxication.
The mother was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail, where she has since posted a $2,500 bond.
