Topline: Deputies say the three-year-old was alone for nearly two hours without food or water before a bystander intervened to pull him from the roadside.
Published: June 24, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Danielle Bryant (via Walton County Sheriff's Office)
MIRAMAR BEACH, FL — A Florida woman was arrested Sunday after police found she left her three-year-old son alone at a playground for nearly two hours in dangerously hot weather while she went to work.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a patrolling deputy was approached by a concerned citizen around 1:11 p.m. on June 15. The individual reported that a young child had been playing alone in the playground since at least 11:30 a.m.
According to witnesses, the toddler had nearly run into traffic before a bystander intervened and pulled him to safety. After trying unsuccessfully to locate the child’s parent, the “good Samaritan” brought the boy to Silver Sands security.
Deputies made contact with security staff at the outlet mall’s security office, where the child was safe and being cared for. While deputies were on scene interviewing witnesses, a woman, later identified as Danielle Bryant, 22, approached asking about her son. Bryant told deputies she had been working at a nearby store and had left her son at the playground, stating a friend was supposed to pick him up.
She claimed she had been watching him through the store’s window while working.
However, Bryant was unaware that her son had been with a bystander for approximately 45 minutes or that he had attempted to run into traffic, prompting the witness to alert security.
At no point did she contact law enforcement to report her child missing.
At the time, the temperature 88 degrees with a heat index of 101. The child had no food or water while left alone on the playground, police said.
Bryant was arrested and charged with child neglect.
“This could have ended much worse,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Thanks to the good Samaritans who stepped in and the quick action by our deputies, this little boy is safe. But this kind of situation is not only dangerous, it is unacceptable.”
Bryant was released on her own recognizance (ROR) from the Walton County Jail this morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Toddler Left Alone in 101-Degree Heat While Mother Went to Work, Nearly Ran Into Traffic
Deputies say the three-year-old was alone for nearly two hours without food or water before a bystander intervened to pull him from the roadside.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 24, 2025 8:30 am ET
Danielle Bryant (via Walton County Sheriff's Office)
MIRAMAR BEACH, FL — A Florida woman was arrested Sunday after police found she left her three-year-old son alone at a playground for nearly two hours in dangerously hot weather while she went to work.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a patrolling deputy was approached by a concerned citizen around 1:11 p.m. on June 15. The individual reported that a young child had been playing alone in the playground since at least 11:30 a.m.
According to witnesses, the toddler had nearly run into traffic before a bystander intervened and pulled him to safety. After trying unsuccessfully to locate the child’s parent, the “good Samaritan” brought the boy to Silver Sands security.
Deputies made contact with security staff at the outlet mall’s security office, where the child was safe and being cared for. While deputies were on scene interviewing witnesses, a woman, later identified as Danielle Bryant, 22, approached asking about her son. Bryant told deputies she had been working at a nearby store and had left her son at the playground, stating a friend was supposed to pick him up.
She claimed she had been watching him through the store’s window while working.
However, Bryant was unaware that her son had been with a bystander for approximately 45 minutes or that he had attempted to run into traffic, prompting the witness to alert security.
At no point did she contact law enforcement to report her child missing.
At the time, the temperature 88 degrees with a heat index of 101. The child had no food or water while left alone on the playground, police said.
Bryant was arrested and charged with child neglect.
“This could have ended much worse,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Thanks to the good Samaritans who stepped in and the quick action by our deputies, this little boy is safe. But this kind of situation is not only dangerous, it is unacceptable.”
Bryant was released on her own recognizance (ROR) from the Walton County Jail this morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Toddler Left Alone in 101-Degree Heat While Mother Went to Work, Nearly Ran Into Traffic
Deputies say the three-year-old was alone for nearly two hours without food or water before a bystander intervened to pull him from the roadside.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 24, 2025 8:30 am ET
Danielle Bryant (via Walton County Sheriff's Office)
MIRAMAR BEACH, FL — A Florida woman was arrested Sunday after police found she left her three-year-old son alone at a playground for nearly two hours in dangerously hot weather while she went to work.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a patrolling deputy was approached by a concerned citizen around 1:11 p.m. on June 15. The individual reported that a young child had been playing alone in the playground since at least 11:30 a.m.
According to witnesses, the toddler had nearly run into traffic before a bystander intervened and pulled him to safety. After trying unsuccessfully to locate the child’s parent, the “good Samaritan” brought the boy to Silver Sands security.
Deputies made contact with security staff at the outlet mall’s security office, where the child was safe and being cared for. While deputies were on scene interviewing witnesses, a woman, later identified as Danielle Bryant, 22, approached asking about her son. Bryant told deputies she had been working at a nearby store and had left her son at the playground, stating a friend was supposed to pick him up.
She claimed she had been watching him through the store’s window while working.
However, Bryant was unaware that her son had been with a bystander for approximately 45 minutes or that he had attempted to run into traffic, prompting the witness to alert security.
At no point did she contact law enforcement to report her child missing.
At the time, the temperature 88 degrees with a heat index of 101. The child had no food or water while left alone on the playground, police said.
Bryant was arrested and charged with child neglect.
“This could have ended much worse,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Thanks to the good Samaritans who stepped in and the quick action by our deputies, this little boy is safe. But this kind of situation is not only dangerous, it is unacceptable.”
Bryant was released on her own recognizance (ROR) from the Walton County Jail this morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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