MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A call about a suspicious car at a Mount Dora Walmart led to a couple's arrest on child neglect charges, according to police. Investigators said they believe the couple was living in their car with three children, and one of the children was badly burned.
However, when WFTV reporter Melonie Holt asked the 26-year-old mother what happened, she denied neglecting her children.
Kristin Harris was in tears as she was escorted from the Mount Dora Police Department Monday afternoon on a charge of child neglect. Investigators said that in addition to living out of her car with three children, Harris did not attend to a 7-year-old with second-degree sunburn.
"How did that sunburn get so bad?" asked Holt.
"It was one day and she was out in the sun for a few hours," Harris replied.
"Did you neglect the children?" Holt asked.
"No, I've never neglected my children. You can ask anyone who knows me," said Harris.
Police were brought to a 24-hour Walmart when, they said, someone noticed someone sleeping beside a car in the parking lot. When police arrived, they said, they found a couple and three children in a car.
"Mr. Hamilton, how long were the kids staying in the car with you?" Holt asked the father, Justin Hamilton.
"Four hours," Hamilton replied.
"Did you neglect the children?" Holt asked.
"No ma'am," he said.
"The only thing they said is that they had been living in the car for two to three days," said Robbin Fayne of the Mount Dora Police Department.
Mount Dora police also told Holt that Hamilton and Harris' 1987 Cadillac Coupe De Ville was packed with clothing, toys, and trash that included sour milk and days-old chicken bones.
Mount Dora police said they also found a bottle of Patron tequila and prescription medication in the car.
"DCF (Department of Children and Families) had been notified and will investigate the case," said Fayne.
In the meantime, the 7-year-old was taken to a local hospital to be treated for the second-degree sunburn. DCF said it has taken the three children into custody.
There will be a hearing on Tuesday to determine where they go next.