Florida Parents Arrested After Leaving 6-Month-Old Alone on Beach for an Hour While ‘Taking a Stroll,’ Police Say
MIRAMAR BEACH, FLORIDA — A Texas couple’s family outing to a Florida beach turned criminal after deputies say they left their 6-month-old baby alone in a tent for an hour while taking a walk with their three other children.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to Miramar Beach around noon on Friday after beachgoers spotted a baby left unattended and called 911.
Beachgoers Found Baby Alone in Tent
Authorities said the infant had been alone for nearly an hour before deputies arrived. Concerned beachgoers had been watching over the baby and keeping the child safe until help arrived.
“Good Samaritans had been taking care of the infant after spotting the child alone,” the sheriff’s office said.
Paramedics from the South Walton Fire District arrived shortly after to assess the infant’s condition. Thankfully, the baby was not in distress, according to officials.
Parents Claimed They ‘Lost Track of Time’
When the parents, identified as 40-year-old Brian Wilks and 37-year-old Sara Wilks of Texas, returned to the scene, they admitted to leaving the baby unattended while taking a walk with their other children.
“Both admitted to placing the child under the tent for a nap before leaving with their other children, claiming they lost track of time,” investigators said.
The couple was immediately arrested on charges of child neglect without great bodily harm and taken into custody by Walton County deputies.
Children Taken Into State Custody
Following the arrests, deputies contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which took temporary custody of the children until relatives could arrive from Texas.
Court records indicate that the Wilkses are prohibited from contacting the victim during the pretrial process and must comply fully with DCF oversight.
Sheriff Praises Beachgoers’ Quick Action
Sheriff Michael Adkinson credited the witnesses who noticed the baby and acted quickly to prevent a potential tragedy.
“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,” Adkinson said.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that even a brief lapse in supervision can lead to serious or fatal consequences, especially under Florida’s intense sun and heat.
“This incident serves as a reminder that even brief moments of inattention can have serious consequences,” the department said.
The Wilkses were visiting Florida from Texas and have since been released pending court proceedings. The investigation remains open as authorities coordinate with child welfare officials.
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