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Deputies: Mom left young children home alone while picking up friend from work

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County mother was arrested on charges of child neglect after authorities said she left her children home alone so she could pick up a friend from work.

Deputies arrested Elnise Civil after a resident at Pointe Vista apartments on Point Vista Circle near Orange Blossom Trail said they heard someone trying to open her front door just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The resident said she looked out and saw a baby wandering around the complex.

Deputies said they also found a 4-year-old girl sleeping in the apartment.

The children were not hurt, and the Department of Children and Families is investigating.

Civil will be in court Thursday afternoon.