A Florida woman, 36, has been arrested after allegedly leaving her four children unattended in her vehicle while she partied at a local bar. The woman, identified as Tiffany Shanta Simmons, arrived at the Apple Lounge & Grill in Winter Haven with her 8-year-old son around 9:20 p.m. on a recent Monday, according to an arrest affidavit.
Upon arrival, a bartender informed Simmons that minors were not permitted in the establishment. Simmons reportedly responded that she would take her son to his father. However, approximately 15 minutes later, Simmons returned to the bar alone and proceeded to order vodka sodas and food.
After about 45 minutes, the bartender, Brittany Cohee, became suspicious about the whereabouts of the child and decided to investigate the parking lot. To her shock, she discovered not just one, but four children in the back of a car. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed that in addition to the 8-year-old boy, there was a 10-month-old girl, a 3-year-old boy, and a 5-year-old girl in the vehicle, which was parked in a dimly lit, high-crime area.
The children were alone without adult supervision or a working cellphone. The sheriff’s office was called to the scene to check on the children, who were unharmed. However, deputies found the 10-month-old face down in the middle of the backseat, a position that could have led to asphyxiation.
Simmons emerged from the bar appearing heavily intoxicated and became belligerent when confronted by deputies. She allegedly kicked one deputy and had to be restrained. Simmons is now facing multiple charges, including child neglect, battery on an officer, and resisting arrest. She reportedly has a history of DUI while transporting her children.
Sheriff Judd expressed his outrage at the incident, stating, “She left four little beautiful babies in a car that was running by themselves in a bar parking lot at night. She needs to go to prison.” He added that Simmons “won’t be mother of the year.”
Following the incident, the Department of Children and Families took custody of the children and released them to family members. In a heartwarming gesture, staff at the Apple Lounge came together to buy Christmas gifts for the four children.