Miller booked on four counts after leaving four children unsupervised

Irene Miller, 50, was arrested on four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm after deputies met her at the airport following a work trip.

Osceola County deputies responded to Miller’s home in Kissimmee shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, following a 911 call from one of the children. The caller reported that a dumbbell had fallen on her nine-year-old brother’s head. Officers found four children, aged 9, 11, 12, and 14, in the residence without any adults present. Fire rescue crews transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital, where medical staff treated him and discharged him.

Miller had departed Florida on Oct. 18 to work in Las Vegas. She told deputies she planned to return on Oct. 23. The sheriff’s office noted that Miller arranged for a babysitter to travel from Tampa for morning school drop-offs and subsequent check-ins, but the sitter was not required to stay overnight.

After contacting the children’s father, authorities secured his agreement to take the four children to his home. Detectives then coordinated to arrest Miller upon her return. Body camera footage shows deputies approaching Miller as she exited her plane Friday morning, escorting her through the terminal, and placing her in handcuffs. She was subsequently booked into the Orange County Jail.

Sheriff Chris Blackmon addressed the incident in a statement. He said the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect. Blackmon added that these cases will be investigated and that charges will be brought against parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children.