LONGWOOD, Fla. — A Seminole County mother who allegedly poured whiskey shots for her children and then posted the pictures on Facebook is now facing child neglect charges.
But she told Channel 9's Angela Jacobs she didn’t think she did anything wrong.
“I would almost say it is stupid,” said Officer Kevin Tuck with the Longwood Police Department.
Longwood police don't mince words about the arrest of Patricia Ann Jackson-Denault, 37, who they said gave her children alcohol, one as young as 7.
One child talked his mother into trying a shot of Fireball, while other admitted to being allowed to try various drinks on other occasions, according to the arrest report.
Longwood police said they found out about the latest incident, which happened a month ago, via Facebook’s "People you know” feature.
“They clicked on there and definitely there were photos that were incriminating for giving alcohol to their child,” Tuck said.
“I don't think it was criminal; I didn't think it was criminal, so it's frustrating” Jackson-Denault said.
Channel 9 spoke with Jackson-Denault at home and she said she should have never been arrested and is fighting this charge
Channel 9’s Jacob asked Jackson-Denault if she thought she endangered her child.
“In my opinion, no. I did exactly the opposite of that. He did not do a shot of Fireball. He tasted what it tasted like,” Jackson-Denault said.
The only thing Jackson-Denault thought she did wrong was to post it on social media.
Controlled environment or not, authorities said it’s still against the law.
“Every single parent I've spoken to says, ‘Patricia, who hasn't let their child taste alcohol?’ They just don't publicize it. They don't put it on Facebook," she said.
Jackson-Denault said she has learned her lesson.
WFTV
