Florida mom arrested for leaving 4 kids alone during 5-day Las Vegas work trip

A Florida mother accused of leaving her four children home alone during a five-day work trip to Las Vegas left them unsupervised for around 16 hours a day, while their babysitter lived about two hours away, police said.Irene Miller, 50, is facing four counts of child neglect after authorities said she left her children, aged 9, 11, 12 and 14, at their home in Kissimmee while she travelled to Las Vegas on October 18.According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, a babysitter hired by Miller would drop the children at school around 8 am and return at 4 pm after they came home. However, the caretaker did not stay overnight and lived near Tampa, around two hours away, leaving the children without adult supervision for much of the day and night.Police also found that although the house was clean and well maintained, there was relatively little food in the refrigerator for the four children.9-year-old injured by falling dumbbellThe alleged neglect came to light on October 21, when the children's 11-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother called 911 after their youngest sibling was injured by a falling dumbbell.The 9-year-old boy was building a fort using sheets and blankets when he reportedly used a dumbbell to secure a sheet to a piece of furniture. When he pulled the sheet, the weight fell and struck his forehead, according to Capt Kim Montes of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. The injury required hospital treatment, where the cut was closed with medical glue.The eldest child, 14, was outside riding his bicycle when the accident happened. He returned after noticing emergency vehicles outside the home, authorities said.Deputies called Miller, who allegedly told them she was working in Las Vegas and was dismissive during the conversation.Montes said Miller subsequently called her eldest son and questioned him for contacting emergency services.“She’s berating the son for calling 911…while he was standing right there with the deputy. It was on speaker,” Montes told the New York Post.The captain said Miller did not return home immediately, even after learning that her youngest child had been taken to hospital.Mother arrested at airportAuthorities said Miller was returning from Las Vegas on October 23 when detectives met her at Orlando International Airport. She was interviewed before being arrested on four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the sheriff's office.She was booked into jail and later released after posting a $4,000 surety bond. Her next court date was not immediately clear.The children were placed in the care of their father, Mark Miller, 53, who was arrested in August over an alleged domestic battery incident involving his wife. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.Court documents cited by the New York Post said Irene Miller had filed for divorce the previous month. The couple had been married for 15 years.The sheriff's office said the children could stay with their father despite a court-ordered no-contact order between the parents.“The Osceola County Sheriff's Office will not tolerate child neglect. These cases will be investigated, and charges will be brought against the parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children,” Sheriff Chris Blackmon said in a statement.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.