A 32-year-old stepfather in Florida has been arrested and charged with child neglect after allegedly abandoning his 6-year-old stepson outside an empty apartment complex, authorities said.
Ricindy Seaphin picked the boy up from school and brought him to the family's apartment complex on Memorial Highway, according to a probable cause affidavit from the North Miami Police Department. Seaphin knew the child's mother would not be home but dropped the boy off anyway, telling investigators he was "in a rush."
Background
The incident occurred Tuesday evening when officers with the North Miami Police Department responded to the apartment complex at 6:42 p.m. regarding a report of a young child left without adult supervision. Investigators determined Seaphin had been responsible for the child's care after picking him up from school earlier that day.
The boy's mother had specifically asked Seaphin to pick their son up from school and had told him beforehand that she would not be home, according to the affidavit. Rather than ensuring a responsible adult was present at the apartment, Seaphin allegedly drove directly to the complex and left the child unattended.
"The defendant admitted that he was in a rush and intentionally dropped the victim off in front of the apartment complex without verifying that anyone was home," police wrote in the probable cause affidavit. "The defendant further admitted that he normally walks the victim to the apartment door and turns him over to his mother but failed to do so on this occasion."
The Investigation
After being dropped off at approximately 3:20 p.m., the child was left alone for roughly 55 minutes before a witness found him around 4:15 p.m. During that time, the boy left the apartment complex and walked to the Family Dollar located at 280 NE 135th Street.
"The victim then left the apartment complex and walked to the Family Dollar... where he approached unknown individuals and asked for help and for someone to contact the police," the affidavit states.
A witness at the store located the child and assisted him back to his apartment. After determining that no one was inside the unit, the witness remained with the boy, provided him with food and care, and contacted law enforcement.
When Seaphin later returned to the apartment complex, he agreed to speak with officers after being advised of his Miranda rights. Following the interview, police arrested Seaphin and transported him to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for processing.
Key Takeaways
- Ricindy Seaphin, 32, was charged with one count of child neglect without great bodily harm
- The stepfather allegedly dropped off his 6-year-old stepson at an empty apartment knowing the mother would not be home
- The child walked to a nearby Family Dollar and asked strangers for help after being left alone for approximately 55 minutes
- Seaphin admitted to police that he was "in a rush" and failed to follow his normal routine of walking the boy to the door
- He was released after posting bond of $2,500
What's Next
Seaphin is expected to appear in court on the child neglect charge at a date yet to be scheduled. The North Miami Police Department has not announced whether additional charges are expected against Seaphin or whether any charges will be filed against the child's mother. Investigators have declined to comment on whether Child Protective Services is conducting a separate review of the family's living situation, citing the ongoing nature of the case.