A Florida mother is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving her four young children unattended in a hot car while she went inside a bar to drink and party.
Tiffany Shanta Simmons, 36, was arrested after deputies discovered her children—ranging in age from 10 months to 8 years old—left alone in the parking lot outside the Apple Lounge & Grill in Winter Haven on Monday night.
Simmons arrived at the bar around 9:20 p.m. with her 8-year-old son.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, a bartender informed Simmons that children under 21 were not allowed inside.
Simmons claimed she would take her son to his father, but about 15 minutes later, she returned to the bar alone, ordering vodka sodas and food.
Suspicious about the child’s whereabouts, the bartender went outside to check the parking lot. To her horror, she found Simmons’ other children—10-month-old, 3-year-old, and 5-year-old—left in a dimly lit, high-crime area with no adult supervision.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed that the children were not injured but noted that the 10-month-old was found face down in the back seat of the car, which could have resulted in asphyxiation.
When deputies arrived at the scene, Simmons was allegedly stumbling out of the bar, visibly intoxicated.
She reportedly became belligerent and physically combative with law enforcement officers, kicking one deputy before being restrained and placed in the back of a cruiser.
Simmons is now facing charges for child neglect and resisting arrest. The children have since been placed in the custody of relatives.
This disturbing incident highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in potentially hazardous conditions.
The sheriff’s office is urging parents to always ensure their children’s safety and well-being before engaging in any activity.
