Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 40-year-old woman was arrested Thursday night after Alachua County deputies said her child was reported missing while she was intoxicated. The child was later located safely at a neighbor’s home.
Deputies responded around 8:48 p.m. on August 14 to a missing child call involving Theola Jeannette Williams. According to the arrest report, Williams appeared intoxicated and told deputies she could not remember when she had last seen the child. She also reportedly did not know whether the child had eaten since returning home from school.
A deputy wrote that Williams showed signs of significant impairment, including slurred speech, glassy eyes, and difficulty standing without swaying. Williams allegedly acknowledged drinking alcohol and said she did not know when the child had left the residence.
Authorities later found the child at a nearby neighbor’s residence. The neighbors reportedly told deputies that Williams had their phone numbers but did not contact them to ask whether the child was there. They also said the situation happens frequently and that they believe the child comes to their home to get away from Williams when she is drunk.
In the report, the deputy concluded that Williams’s level of intoxication prevented her from providing the supervision the child needed, placing the child in active danger.
Williams was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. Court records indicate she has one non-violent felony conviction and two non-violent misdemeanor convictions. Judge Gloria Williams released her on her own recognizance.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
