Child Neglect Charges: Florida Mother Booked After Leaving Four Kids Unsupervised

Irene Miller, 50, was booked into the Orange County Jail on four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Osceola County deputies placed her in custody on Friday morning as she deplaned from a flight, concluding a period of unsupervised care for her four children.

The legal action followed a 911 call placed by one of Miller’s children on Wednesday. The report indicated a dumbbell had fallen on the head of her 9-year-old brother. Deputies arrived at the family home in Kissimmee shortly after 8:30 p.m. on October 21 and found children aged 9, 11, 12, and 14 with no adults present. Fire rescue personnel transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Miller had departed Florida on October 18 for work in Las Vegas. She told officers she arranged for a babysitter from Tampa to assist the children with morning routines and check on them later. The agreement did not require the sitter to remain overnight. Authorities contacted the children’s father, who agreed to house all four kids while detectives prepared to intercept Miller’s return flight.

Sheriff Chris Blackmon stated the department will not tolerate child neglect. He added that such cases will be investigated and charges will be brought against parents who fail to properly supervise or care for their children.

Miller was escorted through the terminal and handcuffed by deputies, according to body camera footage. The case remains open as the sheriff's office processes the four neglect counts.