A 5-year-old child was found walking alone on North Gulf Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.
Deputies say the child’s mother, Maureen Oneill, left him home alone while she shopped in Panama City Beach.
Oneill was arrested and charged with child neglect; the child was placed in temporary care.
October 17, 2025 | Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. — A 37-year-old Santa Rosa Beach woman was arrested Thursday night and charged with child neglect after deputies say she left her 5-year-old son home alone for several hours while she went shopping in Panama City Beach.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said deputies were called to a neighborhood on North Gulf Drive around 9:00 p.m. on October 16 after a passerby reported finding a small child walking alone in the roadway. The caller told dispatchers that the child appeared to be around five years old and was not accompanied by an adult.
When deputies arrived, they found the child unharmed but unable to explain where his mother was. Neighbors told deputies they believed the child lived nearby with his mother. Deputies canvassed the area and located the child’s residence a short distance away.
After knocking and calling out with no response, deputies determined the home was empty. They attempted to contact the child’s mother, later identified as Maureen Oneill, but were unable to reach her by phone. A short time later, deputies learned that Oneill had texted a neighbor saying she was “okay,” but had not returned home.
Deputies remained with the child while continuing efforts to locate Oneill. Around 9:40 p.m.—about four hours after deputies say she left—Oneill called and told law enforcement she was driving back from Target in Panama City Beach.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Oneill admitted to leaving her son at home alone, telling deputies she assumed a neighbor would “keep an eye” on him while she was gone. Investigators later determined that no such arrangement had been made and that no adult had agreed to supervise the child in her absence.
Deputies contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) for guidance on the child’s care. DCF authorized temporary placement with a nearby neighbor until the child’s grandparents could arrive from Tennessee to take custody.
Following the investigation, Oneill was arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony under Florida law. She was booked into the Walton County Jail without incident.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and supervision of our children,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We are grateful for the concerned citizen who acted quickly to ensure this child’s well-being and to prevent a potential tragedy.”
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains under review by DCF and the State Attorney’s Office. Deputies noted that while the child was not injured, the circumstances posed a significant safety risk.
Residents are encouraged to contact law enforcement or DCF’s abuse hotline if they suspect a child is being left unsupervised or is in danger.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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