Mom goes to liquor store, leaves 3-year-old in car overnight, deputies say

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A three-year-old girl is recovering after being left in a vehicle overnight near Sanford, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said they were called to the Vista Haven Apartments on Petunia Terrace around 11:12 a.m. Sunday after reports of a missing child left in a vehicle that was possibly stolen.

The toddler was found overheated and in and out of consciousness inside the vehicle at the apartment complex and was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition, deputies said.

Deputies said they arrested 33-year-old Sanford resident Casey Keller and charged her with child neglect with great bodily harm.

Keller allegedly traveled to a liquor store late Saturday night with three children and returned to the apartment complex around 11:15 p.m., investigators said.

According to a press release, Keller took two older children into an apartment but did not bring in the 3-year-old.

Deputies said Keller called 911 Sunday morning to report the child was missing.

Investigators said they have found no evidence the vehicle was stolen.

Court records show Keller posted bond Monday morning and was released from jail.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Monday that the little girl is expected to make a full recovery.

Listen to the 911 call the mother made below:

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