PALM COAST, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities had been alerted after a child was seen on their lonesome in a automobile Friday evening in Palm Coast with the dad and mom nowhere to be discovered.
Because it turned out, the couple was inside a close-by bar consuming a number of alcoholic drinks, in response to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Physique digicam video confirmed the second deputies arrived on scene after receiving a tip concerning the unattended little one. It was shortly after 10 p.m. and loud music may very well be heard enjoying within the car parking zone.
Deputies contemplated smashing the automobile’s home windows earlier than realizing the automobile was unlocked with the keys within the ignition and engine operating.
As deputies started assessing the toddler, a girl, later recognized as Clarisse Finnegan, 28, got here out of the bar and walked as much as the automobile.
She informed investigators she was the proprietor of the automobile and that her husband, Norman Finnegan Jr., 60, was contained in the bar. He was then escorted from the enterprise and detained for questioning.
A witness mentioned she first seen the automobile on the bar round 10 p.m. She recalled seeing Norman Finnegan exit to the automobile and look inside round 10:15 p.m., however mentioned he then went again contained in the bar.
Clarisse Finnegan informed deputies she had gone contained in the bar to make use of the restroom and left to verify on the newborn after she was performed. She mentioned she went again inside to see if her husband was prepared to depart. She then discovered deputies on the automobile as her husband was paying for his tab.
Nonetheless, authorities mentioned the husband and spouse’s statements did not match up — significantly when it got here to particulars about how lengthy Clarisse Finnegan had been contained in the bar.
Witnesses additional confirmed to investigators that each of them had been seen on the bar consuming.
“These two won’t ever obtain dad and mom of the 12 months award with this habits,” mentioned Sheriff Rick Staly. “It’s by no means acceptable to depart an toddler alone inside a operating automobile — particularly whereas inside a bar consuming. This type of recklessness might have led to tragedy. I need to thank the involved citizen who reported this incident and our deputies who acted rapidly to guard this harmless little one.”
Norman and Clarisse Finnegan had been arrested for felony little one neglect with out nice bodily hurt — a third-degree felony.
Officers mentioned the couple was taken to the Sheriff Perry Corridor Inmate Detention Facility. Norman Finnegan was later was later launched on a $2,500 bond, and his spouse was launched on her personal recognizance.
The Florida Division of Kids and Households is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.
