A Florida mother, Danielle Bryant, has been arrested for allegedly leaving her 3-year-old child alone at a playground for over an hour, putting the child in serious danger.
The incident occurred when Bryant went to work at a nearby store, leaving her son unattended, where he nearly ran into oncoming traffic. The situation has raised serious concerns about child neglect and the safety of young children left alone in public places.
The Incident at Silver Sands Premium Outlets
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a concerned citizen alerted a deputy on patrol at the Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Walton County, Florida. The individual reported that a toddler, who appeared to be about 2 years old, had been playing alone at the playground since at least 11:30 a.m. The playground was located about 150 miles west of Tallahassee.
Witnesses stated that the child nearly ran into traffic but was saved by a bystander who pulled him to safety. After the incident, the good Samaritan took the child to the mall’s security, where deputies later arrived to find the boy being cared for. According to reports, the child had been alone for about 45 minutes before the traffic scare.
Bryant’s Response and Investigation
Deputies managed to contact the child’s mother, Danielle Bryant, by phone around 1:40 p.m. They asked her to come to the security office at Silver Sands. Upon arriving, Bryant showed no emotion or concern when reunited with her son, according to the affidavit.
Bryant explained that she had left her son at the playground while she worked at a nearby fragrance store. She claimed that a friend was supposed to pick him up and that she had been keeping an eye on him through the store’s window.
However, Bryant was unaware that her son had been alone with a bystander for nearly an hour and that he had attempted to run into traffic. At no point did she contact law enforcement to report her child as missing, which raised further concerns about her neglect.
Dangerous Conditions and Child’s Well-Being
The weather at the time of the incident was dangerously hot, with temperatures reaching 88 degrees and a heat index of 101 degrees. Investigators noted that the child had no food or water with him while he was alone in these conditions. This could have posed serious health risks, further compounding the danger of the situation.
Bryant has been charged with one count of child neglect without great bodily harm. She is scheduled to appear in court on July 22, 2025. Sheriff Michael Adkinson stated that while the situation could have had a much worse outcome, the child was fortunately saved thanks to the actions of a good Samaritan and the swift response of law enforcement.
Danielle Bryant’s arrest brings to light the dangers of leaving young children unattended in public spaces, especially when there are potential hazards like traffic and extreme weather. While the outcome in this case was fortunate, it serves as a reminder of the responsibility that parents have to ensure the safety of their children at all times.
Bryant’s lack of emotional response upon reuniting with her son has raised questions about her awareness of the situation, and her court appearance will determine the legal consequences she will face.
