Two Separate Incidents Highlight Disturbing Trend: Mothers Arrested After Leaving Young Children Unattended in Cars While Drinking
We recently covered two alarming incidents highlighting a concerning pattern of mothers leaving their young children vulnerable and alone in vehicles while they went inside bars. Both cases involved arrests and reveal what we consider absolute degenerate behavior and terrible garbage tier behavior.
Polk County, Florida Incident:
In Polk County, Florida, authorities responded to a call from an employee at Apple Lounge and Grill on a recent Monday night. The employee reported that four young kids had been left alone in a car in the parking lot. According to the sheriff’s office, Tiffany Shante Simmons, 36, was inside the bar. The children left in the vehicle were a 10-month-old, a three-year-old, a five-year-old, and an eight-year-old.
Authorities found Simmons inside the lounge and described her as intoxicated and belligerent, uncooperative, and physically defiant. We noted that her state suggested she likely intended to drive the children while heavily intoxicated if she hadn’t been arrested. An employee told police Simmons arrived around 8:00 with a young boy but was informed minors weren’t allowed. She said she would take the boy outside to wait for his father. However, she returned about 50 minutes later, ordered vodka, drank, and danced, leaving the four children alone in an idling vehicle parked in a dimly lit parking lot. The oldest child had a cell phone but no phone service and reportedly did not know how to dial 911 in case of an emergency. The children are now with family members. Simmons was charged with four counts of negligent child abuse and two counts of resisting arrest for putting her hands on a police officer.
Arizona Incident:
Another disturbing case unfolded in Glendale, Arizona. A good Samaritan found a young girl wandering the parking lot of the Westgate Entertainment District late at night, around 11 p.m.. The concerned citizen flagged down Glendale police. Witnesses led police to an unlocked car where they found three other children, including a seven-month-old. The older children were estimated to be about three and four years old. Officers found a large bag of a green leafy substance inside the car. Police searched businesses within the entertainment district for the parents.
After about 45 minutes, two women returned to the vehicle. Officers informed them their kids had been there for a significant time, with one yelling, “Hey, your kids have been here for hours“. Initially, both women claimed they had only been gone to use the bathroom. One claimed it was only about 15 minutes, while the other insisted it was just 10 minutes. An officer countered that they had been standing with the children for over 45 minutes. The women eventually admitted they had also stopped at the bar. Police noted they smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. One mother became emotional, maintaining she thought they were only gone for 10 minutes. Another reportedly said, “Please don’t take my kids away from me, they’re the only things I’ve got“.
Both women were ultimately arrested and charged with abuse and criminal negligence. The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Prosecution was suspended as the women opted to participate in a parenting skills felony division diversion program. The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Child Safety.
We question the decision to allow diversion programs in such cases, feeling it may offer a “free pass”.
Concluding Commentary:
These incidents, both occurring on the same day, are a strong reminder that leaving children alone, especially while under the influence, is not only incredibly irresponsible but illegal. It is difficult to comprehend how this behavior continues to occur in society. There are resources available like finding babysitters or arranging childcare; leaving children unattended in potentially dangerous situations while adults socialize at bars is simply unacceptable and abhorrent. We also note the absence of the children’s fathers in these incidents, assuming they may also bear responsibility. We are thankful for the Good Samaritans who stepped in and did the right thing in the Arizona case.
