Child Neglect: Kissimmee Mother Jailed After Vegas Work Trip

Irene Miller, 50, was arrested on four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm after returning to Florida from a work trip in Las Vegas. The charges stem from a period when her four children were left without overnight supervision in their Kissimmee home.

The timeline began on Oct. 18 when Miller departed Florida. She arranged for a babysitter from Tampa to assist the children in the mornings and check on them later in the day, but the sitter did not stay overnight. On Oct. 21, shortly after 8:30 p.m., one of the children called 911 to report that a dumbbell had fallen on her 9-year-old brother’s head. Deputies responded to the residence and found four children, ages 9, 11, 12, and 14, with no adults present. Fire rescue crews transported the injured boy to Celebration Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

Authorities contacted Miller by phone while she was still in Las Vegas. She stated she was working and planned to return on Oct. 23. The children’s father agreed to take all four children to his home while detectives coordinated with the airport. On Friday morning, body camera video captured deputies approaching Miller as she exited her plane. They escorted her through the terminal and placed her in handcuffs.

Miller was booked into the Orange County Jail. Sheriff Chris Blackmon stated that the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate child neglect. He added that these cases will be investigated and charges will be brought against parents who are not properly supervising or caring for their children.