Woman faces felony charges after leaving kids at home, deputies say

Investigation sparked after child found crying on sidewalk

ORLANDO, Fla. – A woman was arrested on felony negligence charges after deputies say she left two children home alone with illegal drugs in plain sight.

According to Orange County police, Jennifer Mello, 21, left marijuana on her kitchen table and while her two children were alone in their Edgewater Drive apartment late Monday night.

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Deputies said the investigation began after they saw one of the children crying on the sidewalk. When the child was asked where their parents were, the child said they went to the store, according to the report.

A witness and friend of Mello said she knowingly left the children for multiple hours, police say.

Mello was charged with neglect of a child and culpable negligence, and booked into jail on $2,600 bond.


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