Babysitter Leaves 2 Children Behind At WaWa Store, Police Say

Lakeland FL

03 December, 2021

10:52 AM

Description

DAVENPORT, FL — A 27-year-old Davenport woman has been accused of leaving two children unattended at a WaWa by police while she was allegedly drunk. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Samantha DiCastro, went into the store in unincorporated Davenport with an eight year old and two year old in her care. The clerk told authorities that they noticed DiCastro had a bottle of Bacardi under her waistband, and she allegedly stumbled and slurred her speech. She was refused a cigarette purchase by employees and then left the store. The eight-year-old child had been left behind in the store, investigators said. Deputies found DiCastro walking away from the store, 43582 U.S. Highway 27, Davenport. She sat the child down as officers questioned her, police said. Shortly afterward, she began looking around for the child. Officers said that she eventually began walking away following them telling her she was not free to leave. Samantha DiCastro faces multiple charges such as child neglect for allegedly leaving two children in her care behind at a WaWa and on the road. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)The children were returned to their parent, detectives said. "This situation is scary enough, but realize that this occurred along a very busy highway, Sheriff Grady Judd said."We are thankful that these children weren't injured or worse." DiCastro faces the following charges: Negligent child abuseResisting without violenceDisorderly intoxication Cited for a county ordinance against possessing an open container of alcohol in public