A Florida woman faces child neglect charges after her three-year-old son was discovered alone at a playground for nearly two hours on Sunday, June 15, amidst dangerously high temperatures. The incident, which unfolded at the Silver Sands Premium Outlets, in Walton County, prompted action from concerned citizens and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring the child’s safety.
According to a report from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy patrolling the outlet mall at approximately 1:11 p.m. was alerted by a concerned citizen who reported a young child had been playing unsupervised at the playground since at least 11:30 a.m.
Witnesses stated the toddler had narrowly avoided running into traffic before a bystander intervened and pulled him to safety. After attempts to locate the child’s parent were unsuccessful, the good Samaritan brought the boy to Silver Sands security.
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Deputies met with security staff at the mall’s security office, where the child was found safe and being cared for. While deputies were on scene interviewing witnesses, Danielle Bryant, 22, approached, inquiring about her son.
Bryant informed deputies she had been working at a nearby store and had left her son at the playground, claiming a friend was supposed to pick him up.
She asserted she had been watching him through the store’s window while working. However, investigators determined that Bryant was unaware her son had been with a bystander for approximately 45 minutes or that he had attempted to run into traffic, a critical detail that prompted the witness to alert security. She also did not contact law enforcement to report her child missing at any point.
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At the time the child was found alone, the temperature was a sweltering 88 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index of 101 degrees. The toddler had no food or water while left unattended on the playground in these extreme conditions.
Bryant was subsequently arrested and charged with child neglect.
“This could have ended much worse,” stated Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “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.”
Bryant was released on her own recognizance (ROR) from the Walton County Jail.
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