A woman was arrested early Sunday morning for leaving her young daughter unattended in a car while she visited a local bar. Veronica Elliot, 35, is now facing a child neglect charge following the incident in De Land.
Authorities were alerted when the 7-year-old girl entered “The Perfect Spot” bar searching for her mother.
The De Land Police Department reported that the child, who had been left in a cold, switched-off vehicle, had been instructed to wait by her mother for a brief period. The girl decided to seek out her mother after the stipulated time elapsed.
Officers searched Elliot after the child identified their vehicle. The search extended to nearby areas, including a campsite, but did not initially locate Elliot.
The situation escalated when the girl provided contact information for a man who had taken a paternal role in her life. The man responded to the scene and disclosed to authorities that Elliot had a history of substance abuse.
Elliot was later located and taken into custody. The man reported to be in a casual relationship with Elliot stated that she had left the establishment around half an hour after arriving without indicating her intentions.
The child was placed under the care of the family acquaintance while legal proceedings are underway. Elliot’s arrest has raised further concerns about child safety in situations where guardians may be impaired.