Florida Mother Handcuffed at Airport After Child’s 911 Call Leads to Arrest

A Florida mother was arrested at the airport after deputies said she returned from a work trip to Las Vegas while her four children had allegedly been left home alone.

Body camera footage released by authorities shows deputies approaching Irene Miller as she walked off her flight Friday morning, according to Fox News.

Officers escorted her through the terminal before putting her in handcuffs.

The arrest followed a 911 call made by one of Miller’s children on Oct. 21. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the child reported that a dumbbell had fallen onto her 9-year-old brother’s head.

Deputies arrived at the family’s Kissimmee home shortly after 8:30 p.m. and found four children, ages 9, 11, 12 and 14, inside without an adult present, authorities said.

The injured boy was taken to Celebration Hospital by fire rescue crews. He was treated for his injury and later released, according to the sheriff’s office.

While investigating, a deputy contacted Miller by phone. Authorities said she told them she was in Las Vegas for work and expected to return to Florida on Oct. 23.

Investigators determined Miller had left Florida on Oct. 18, according to the sheriff’s office.

Miller told deputies she had made arrangements for a babysitter to assist the children during the day. The sitter reportedly traveled from Tampa in the mornings to help the children prepare for school and check on them afterward.

The babysitter, however, was not expected to remain at the home overnight, authorities said.

Deputies then contacted the children's father, who agreed to take all four children to his residence while investigators prepared for Miller's return.

When Miller's flight landed Friday, deputies were waiting for her at the airport.

The 50-year-old mother was taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail. She faces four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.

Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon said his department would continue pursuing cases involving children who authorities believe are not receiving adequate supervision.

"The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect," Blackmon said. "These cases will be investigated, and charges will be brought against the parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children."