Kissimmee mother faces four counts of neglect

Irene Miller, 50, was arrested on four counts of child neglect without bodily harm last Friday. The charge stems from an incident in which Miller left her four children home alone in Kissimmee while she traveled to Las Vegas.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office investigators opened the case on October 21. One of the children called 911 to report that her nine-year-old brother had been hurt when a dumbbell fell on his head. Deputies arrived at the residence and found no adults present. The children, aged 14, 12, 11, and nine, were left unsupervised.

Deputies contacted Miller, who stated she was in Las Vegas for work. She told investigators she had departed on October 18 and planned to return on October 23. Miller explained that she had arranged for a babysitter from Tampa to visit the children in the mornings for school preparation and after school to check on them. The babysitter was not required to stay overnight.

Richard Hornsby, an Orlando defense attorney not associated with the case, offered legal insight to local media. Hornsby said the public reaction stems from the unusual nature of a parent leaving four children alone for several days. He noted that additional facts, including a pending domestic violence case against the children’s father, provide context to the situation.

Hornsby stated that no law prohibits leaving children unsupervised for short periods. The legal issue arises when the duration becomes prolonged. He explained that courts determine neglect by asking whether the parent took reasonable measures to care for the children and whether a prudent person would have acted similarly in the same situation.

Court records show that Miller filed for divorce from her husband in September. One month prior to the filing, her husband was charged with misdemeanor battery against Miller, resulting in a no-contact order. Sheriff Chris Blackmon said the Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect. He added that deputies took the children to their father’s home after the arrest.