Florida couple arrested after leaving Infant alone in running car while drinking at bar, authorities say

FLAGLER COUNTY Fla WSVN A Florida couple was arrested after deputies discovered their infant left unattended in an unlocked running truck outside a local bar while they were inside drinking according to officials Flagler County Sheriff s Office deputies responded to a tip around p m Friday and discovered an infant sleeping in a car seat that was improperly secured in the back seat The car was unlocked the keys were in the ignition and the engine was running representatives mentioned While deputies were assessing the child -year-old Clarisse Finnegan exited the bar and identified herself as the bicycle s owner She reportedly described deputies her husband -year-old Norman Finnegan Jr was inside the bar He was soon escorted out and detained for questioning Eyewitnesses revealed they saw a man later identified as Norman briefly check on the bus before returning inside Both Clarisse and Norman gave conflicting accounts of how long she had been in the bar but eyewitnesses authenticated both had been drinking according to the FCSO These two will never receive parents of the year award with this behavior explained Sheriff Rick Staly It s never acceptable to leave an infant alone inside a running truck especially while inside a bar drinking This kind of recklessness could have ended in tragedy I want to thank the concerned citizen who broadcasted this episode and our deputies who acted briskly to protect this innocent child Norman and Clarisse Finnegan were arrested and charged with felony child neglect without great bodily harm a third-degree felony Norman was distributed on a bond while Clarisse was issued on her own recognizance The Florida Department of Children and Families is also assessing