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Cops: Boy reported missing found with drunken sitter stuck in Starbucks drive-through

PALM BAY, Fla. — A 4-year-old Starke boy who was reported missing was found in Palm Bay Friday morning, authorities said.

Aiden Waters was reported missing in Bradford County on Thursday, and he was later found with his babysitter in Palm Bay after she got stuck in a Starbucks drive-through, officer said.

The Bradford County Sheriff's Office said the Waters' father returned home from work at 5 p.m. Thursday to find the boy and his babysitter, Jessica Leigh Cox, gone.

"She chose to leave the area against the parents' wishes. She was doing a favor for an ex-boyfriend of hers and happened to have the child with her," said Officer Natasha Grey of the Palm Bay Police Department.

According to an arrest report, Cox is also the father's girlfriend.

Cox told officers that it was her birthday, and she'd been celebrating. She was arrested after she got stuck in the drive-through of a Starbucks driving the wrong way.

Authorities gave her a breathalyzer test, which resulted in .333; four times the legal limit.

Officers said she was arrested on charges of DUI and child abuse, because the 4-year-old in her car was not properly restrained.

Deputies said the boy's father was able to talk to Cox via text message. The 26-year-old was allegedly telling the father she and Aiden were at a friend's house. According to deputies, the father contacted the friend who told him the babysitter was not there and had not been seen in several days.

Deputies said the father spent several hours searching on his own before calling police at 11:10 p.m. Thursday. Waters was unharmed in the incident.