Mom left toddler at playground to work at store: Police
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Danielle Bryant (Walton County Jail). Background: The outlet mall where her 3-year-old was taken after she is accused of leaving him alone at a nearby park (Google Maps).

A 22-year-old mother from Florida was arrested for reportedly leaving her 3-year-old child by himself at a local playground. The child almost ran into traffic after being unattended for more than an hour while his mother was at work in a nearby store. Danielle Bryant was arrested earlier in the month and is facing a charge of child neglect without causing serious injury, according to court documents.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release stating that on Sunday, June 15, 2025, around 1:11 p.m., a deputy was conducting a patrol at the Silver Sands Premium Outlets. A “concerned citizen” approached the deputy, reporting that a young child, looking about 2 years old, had been playing alone since at least 11:30 a.m. The playground is located approximately 150 miles west of Tallahassee.

“According to witnesses, the toddler had nearly run into traffic before a bystander intervened and pulled him to safety,” the release states. “After trying unsuccessfully to locate the child’s parent, the good Samaritan brought the boy to Silver Sands security.”

Deputies responded to the outlet mall and made contact with the security staff, where they found the little boy “safe and being cared for.”

The good Samaritan who saved the child from running into traffic was still at the scene and said he had seen the child alone at the playground from about 11:30 a.m. until the traffic incident took place about 45 minutes later.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Deputies were able to make contact with Bryant — identified by authorities as the boy’s mother — by phone at about 1:40 p.m. and requested she come to the Silver Sands Security office, according to a probable cause affidavit. When she arrived a few minutes later, deputies noted in the affidavit that she “did not console the child or show any emotions/reactions” upon being reunited with her son.

“Bryant told deputies she had been working at a nearby store and had left her son at the playground, stating a friend was supposed to pick him up. She claimed she had been watching him through the store’s window while working,” the release states. “However, Bryant was unaware that her son had been with a bystander for approximately 45 minutes or that he had attempted to run into traffic, prompting the witness to alert security. At no point did she contact law enforcement to report her child missing.”

The affidavit clarified that Bryant worked at a “fragrance store just south of the playground.”

Investigators said that the weather at the time was 88 degrees, but the heat index was 101 degrees and the child did not have any food or water with him at the playground during the time he was alone.

Bryant is currently scheduled to appear in court on July 22.

“This could have ended much worse,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a statement following the arrest. “Thanks to the good Samaritans who stepped in and the quick action by our deputies, this little boy is safe. But this kind of situation is not only dangerous, it is unacceptable.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Teen Accused of Sex Crimes Against Another Minor

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jack William Cheves, 18, initially arrested on…

Teenager allegedly declared ‘I’m a genuine killer’ following man’s stabbing: Authorities

Background: News footage captures the location where Michael James O’Malley was discovered…

Mother’s Partner Allowed Dangerous Situation for 6-Year-Old

Left to right: Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge Dave Stimpert at…

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Dismisses Leading DOJ Ethics Lawyer and Counselor

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi addresses the media during a press briefing…

Tragic Discovery: Missing 8-Year-Old Autistic Boy Found Dead, Suspect Detained

Ohio police confirmed they have someone in custody after a disabled 8-year-old…

Trial Begins for Dentist Accused of Poisoning Wife During Secret Affair

The process of selecting a jury commenced on Monday at the Arapahoe…

Church Pastor Confronts Alleged Assailant Armed with a Knife

A church pastor and his guest were forced to tackle a man…

Judge Inquires Why Evidence of Menendez Brothers’ Sexual Abuse Was Not Presented in Murder Trial

A judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court has demanded an explanation…

Court Hears Synagogue Arson Suspect Driven by Financial Gain, Not Hate

A man who allegedly started a fire at a synagogue was not…

Governor Noem Criticizes Judge Over Block on ‘Roving’ ICE Raids as DOJ Appeals

Background: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaking to Fox News Sunday on…

Man Sentenced for Murdering Couple in Dispute Over Sports Car Sale

Background: Footage from the news depicts the location where a couple from…

Suspect accused of threatening Trump promises, ‘I won’t fail’: Federal Authorities

Main: President Donald Trump attends the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at…