Kissimmee mother arrested on four neglect counts

Irene Miller, 50, was arrested at Orlando International Airport on Friday morning after deputies found her four children alone in their Kissimmee home. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office charged Miller with four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.

The investigation began on Oct. 21 after one of the children called 911 to report that a dumbbell had fallen on her 9-year-old brother’s head. Deputies arrived at the house shortly after 8:30 p.m. and found the children, aged 9, 11, 12, and 14, with no adults present. Fire rescue crews transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital, where medical staff treated him and discharged him.

Miller told deputies she was working in Las Vegas and had left Florida on Oct. 18. She planned to return on Oct. 23. She stated that she hired a babysitter to travel from Tampa to help the children with morning school routines and check on them later in the day. The sheriff’s office noted that the sitter was not required to stay overnight.

Authorities contacted the children’s father, who agreed to take the four children to his home. Detectives arranged to meet Miller when her flight landed. Body camera footage shows deputies approaching Miller as she exited the plane, escorting her through the terminal, and placing her in handcuffs. She was then booked into the Orange County Jail.

Sheriff Chris Blackmon stated that the sheriff’s office will not tolerate child neglect. He said the department will investigate these cases and bring charges against parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children.