Florida mom arrested after 3-year-old left in car overnight, deputies say; child hospitalized

Credit: Seminole County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Seminole County Sheriff's Office

A 3-year-old girl was in critical condition Sunday afternoon after being left in a vehicle overnight near Sanford, Florida, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said.

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Deputies said they were called to the Vista Haven Apartments on Petunia Terrace around 11:12 a.m. Sunday after reports of a missing child left in a vehicle that was possibly stolen.

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The toddler was found overheated and in and out of consciousness inside the vehicle at the apartment complex and was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition, deputies said.

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Deputies said they arrested 33-year-old Sanford resident Casey Keller and charged her with child neglect with great bodily harm.

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Keller allegedly traveled to a liquor store late Saturday night with three children and returned to the apartment complex around 11:15 p.m., investigators said.

According to a press release, Keller took two older children into an apartment but did not bring in the 3-year-old.

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Deputies said Keller called 911 Sunday morning to report the child was missing.

Investigators said they have found no evidence the vehicle was stolen.

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