TAMPA, Florida – A couple from Georgia was arrested in Florida over the weekend after authorities found them intoxicated and passed out on a beach while their children were left unsupervised, according to WESH, a local NBC affiliate.
According to reports, 27-year-old Timothy Stephens and his fiancé Alyssia Langley were discovered sleeping on a towel at Daytona Beach, surrounded by children’s toys but with no sign of their kids nearby.
Deputies also found empty beer cans, a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey, and other open alcoholic beverages in the vicinity of the couple. When officers woke them up, both Stephens and Langley appeared confused and were unable to provide information about their children’s whereabouts.
After a search, deputies located the couple’s two children, aged five and seven, swimming unsupervised in a nearby pool. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed shock at the couple’s negligence, highlighting the potential dangers their actions posed to the children.
Stephens, the legal guardian of the children, is now facing charges of child neglect and possession of alcohol on the beach. During the arrest, he attempted to flee but ended up falling unconscious after tripping on the sand. He was later treated at a local hospital. Langley, who is not biologically related to the children, is also facing child neglect charges.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and the dangers of irresponsible behavior, especially when children are involved. Authorities are urging parents to prioritize the safety and well-being of their children at all times to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.