Charges dropped against parents accused of leaving baby alone while getting drunk

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 has learned prosecutors are dropping child neglect charges against a Seminole County couple accused of going out partying while their baby was home alone.

Detectives said they're disappointed with decision because they believe there was probable cause in the case against Glorivy Rodriguez and Fernando Palomino.

Prosecutors agreed but said there wasn’t enough to build a case against the couple.

Investigators said Rodriguez and Palomino left their 8-month-old home alone while they got drunk on the town.

"Why would you leave the little kids alone just to go out and party?" said neighbor Shaquita Bennett. "You could drop them at a fire station if you don't want them."

New court records show that on the night of his arrest, Palomino told detectives he did not care about his son and that "they can take him."

But Thursday afternoon, the lead prosecutor said Rodriguez and Palomino might not be the best parents but said the negligent behavior does not rise to a criminal act.

He also said the case would be hard to prove because the aunt is saying the baby was abandoned, while Palomino claims the aunt was supposed to be babysitting that night.

Neighbors aren't buying the parents' story.

"You are supposed to make sure they are fully taken care of before you get up and leave your kids," said Bennett.

Child Protective Services took the infant and his siblings, who police said were found playing in the street in front of the house where their father passed out.

The kids are still with CPS. Officials said the goal is usually reunification in these kinds of cases, but only if the parents follow their case plans, and it's approved by a judge.

WFTV