A Florida couple is facing felony charges after a 2-year-old child was spotted wandering alone dangerously close to U.S. 1 Tuesday evening, sparking an investigation that revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect.
Authorities arrested Etzer Louis, 36, and Flerette Matelus, 32, on January 6, charging both with child neglect following the incident on Big Coppitt Key.
The situation unfolded around 6 p.m. when passing motorists noticed a toddler walking by himself near the intersection of Dolphin Road and Boca Chica Road, just steps from the busy highway. The witnesses, who were on their way home, immediately intervened and alerted law enforcement.
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When Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to investigate, they checked a nearby residence. Inside the unlocked home, they discovered two more children—a 9-month-old infant and a 12-year-old—sound asleep.
Investigators determined the three children had been left completely unsupervised for several hours. According to deputies, this was not an isolated event; further inquiry revealed that leaving the children alone had become a recurring issue.
Fortunately, no physical injuries were reported during the incident.
Louis and Matelus arrived at the scene sometime later and were taken into custody. Both were transported to jail, and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified to ensure the safety of the minors involved.
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