KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A Kissimmee mother was arrested on multiple child neglect charges after authorities said she left her four children without overnight supervision while traveling to Las Vegas, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The case began Wednesday when one of the children called 911 and reported that her 9-year-old brother had been hit in the head by a falling dumbbell at the family’s Parkway Boulevard home. Deputies arrived to find four children, ages 9, 11, 12 and 14, alone in the residence. Fire rescue took the injured boy to a hospital, where he was treated and later released, officials said.
Deputies reached the children’s mother, Irene Miller, by phone. She said she was working in Las Vegas and expected to return Friday. Investigators determined that Miller had left Florida on Oct. 18, five days before her planned return. According to the sheriff’s office, Miller said a babysitter drove from Tampa each morning to help the children prepare for school and returned in the afternoon to check on them, but did not spend the night.
The children’s father was notified and took all four children to his home. When Miller, 50, arrived back in Florida Friday, detectives were waiting for her. She was taken into custody and charged with four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm before being booked into the Orange County Jail.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office also released body camera footage showing deputies arresting Miller after she got off her flight at Orlando International Airport.
“The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect. These cases will be investigated, and charges will be brought against the parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children,” Sheriff Chris Blackmon said.
