Miller faces four neglect counts after five-day absence from Kissimmee home

Irene Miller, 50, was booked on four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm following a five-day period where her four children remained in a Kissimmee home without overnight adult supervision. The charges stem from her October 18 to October 23 work trip to Las Vegas.

Osceola County deputies responded to the residence shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 after a child called 911 to report that a dumbbell fell on her 9-year-old brother’s head. Officers found the children, aged 9, 11, 12, and 14, alone in the house. Fire rescue personnel transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital, where medical staff treated him and released him.

Miller told deputies she had hired a sitter from Tampa to assist the children with morning routines and check on them during the day. The arrangement did not require the sitter to remain in the home overnight. A deputy reached Miller by phone during her trip, and she confirmed she was in Las Vegas and expected to return on Oct. 23.

The father of the children agreed to take the four kids to his residence while detectives coordinated the arrest. Body camera footage from Friday morning shows officers approaching Miller as she exited her flight at Orlando airport. They escorted her through the terminal and placed her in handcuffs before booking her into the Orange County Jail.

Sheriff Chris Blackmon stated that the department will not tolerate child neglect. He added that authorities will investigate such cases and bring charges against parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children.