DCF: Orlando woman left 2-year-old locked up, went clubbing

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Department of Children and families is investigating an Orlando woman accused Saturday of locking her 2-year old daughter in her bedroom so she could go to work and to nightclubs.

Once the investigation started, Jamesha Williams's friends revealed she'd been doing that for months, at the Landings at Timberleaf apartments near Raleigh Street and South Kirkman Road. They told police they didn't report it because they didn't want to betray Williams.

While they were silent, neighbors could hear the 2-year-old screaming in her bedroom.

Police said they found the girl alone and locked up in the apartment after someone called 911 after they heard rumors Williams was locking her child in the bedroom.

DCF said the 2-year-old should only be staying with her grandmother because Williams was charged with child neglect Saturday.

Williams bonded out.

"If you are a parent and you have a job or extracurricular activities, or you are just living life, you need to make sure there is an avenue that you make sure your kids are safe and secure," said Shaylin D. Mack, an Orlando mother.

Investigators said it would be hard to charge Williams' friends for not reporting the crime because they would need evidence to prove it.

If friends did see something, detectives would need them as witnesses.

Williams told investigators her friend was supposed to be watching her daughter, but the report said she could not remember her friend's last name.

WFTV