Walton County, Fla. (WMBB) – A woman named Mary Estelle was arrested Sunday.
Deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office were approached by the citizens involved while patrolling the Silver Sands Premium Outlet, according to a news release. Individuals reported that the child had been playing alone in the playground for nearly two hours.
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At the time, the temperature was 88 degrees and the heat index was 101. The child was left in the play area without food or water.
Witnesses reported that the child was approaching a traffic jam, but bystanders were able to step in and pull him safely. After failing to find a parent for the child, an individual brought the child to Silver Sands security.
While deputies interviewed the witness, 22-year-old Daniel Bryant approached the officer and asked about his son.
Officials say Bryant told deputies he left his son at the playground while working at a nearby store. Bryant claimed that a friend was supposed to go to pick up the child and was looking at his son through the store window while Bryant was working.
Officials say Bryant didn’t know that his son was on the sidelines for about 45 minutes, and he didn’t know that her son had tried to encounter traffic.
“This could have been even worse,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “Thanks to the prompt action by the good Samaritans who intervened and our agents, this little boy is safe. But this kind of situation is not only dangerous, but it is unacceptable.”
Bryant was arrested and charged with neglect of a child. She was released on Monday from the Walton County Jail on her own recognition.
