Brian and Sara Wilks: Texas parents accused of leaving six-month-old baby alone on Florida beach
Two parents are facing child neglect charges after they allegedly left their six-month-old baby alone on a beach.
Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37, were arrested after witnesses reported they had left their baby alone in a tent for nearly an hour.
Police officers arrived at Miramar Beach in Walton County, Florida on October 10 where witnesses told them the parents had been walking along the sand with their other three children while the baby was left unattended.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.On that day, temperatures were between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius. Depending on the material of the tent, and whether it was left open, it could have been up to 10 degrees warmer inside.
Witnesses said they stepped in and began caring for the child while they waited for police to arrive, according to a statement released by Walton County Sheriff’s Department.
Mr Wilks and Ms Wilks, who are from Texas and were on a family holiday, returned to the tent when police arrived.
They told officers they had put their baby down for a nap before leaving with the other children and said they said they had lost track of time.
As part of the investigation, police reviewed CCTV footage which confirmed the baby had been left alone for almost an hour, and that neither parent brought a mobile phone on the walk.
First responders performed a health check on the child, and recorded normal vitals and no signs of distress.
The parents were arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm and all of their children were removed from their custody by Florida’s department of children and families while they waited for other family members to arrive from Texas.
Both Mr Wilks and Ms Wilks were released on bail the following day on a $2000 bond.
Local sheriff Michael Adkinson said police were thankful to the witness who first raised the alarm.
“We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own,” he said.
No further details have been made public by police and it is unclear if either Mr or Ms Wilks have obtained legal representation.
