Brian Nicholas Cannella, 43, and Allison Sirica Cannella, 40, were arrested at a Key Largo, Fla. resort
Credit: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
NEED TO KNOW
- Brian Nicholas Cannella and Allison Sirica Cannella of Delray Beach, Fla. were both arrested on two counts of felony child neglect on July 4
- Resort staff in Key Largo, Fla. called police after allegedly hearing an unattended baby crying in the room
- The children were placed in the custody of a family friend until the Department of Children and Family Services arrived
A Florida couple was arrested on Saturday, July 4, on child neglect charges after police received reports of “an unattended baby crying.”
Brian Nicholas Cannella and Allison Sirica Cannella of Delray Beach, Fla., were arrested on suspicion of “leaving two young children alone in a Key Largo resort hotel room while they were at the pool,” the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said in a statement shared on social media.
The couple is accused of leaving their two young kids alone in their Key Largo resort hotel room while they went to the pool to drink alcohol and celebrate the 4th of July, according to the MCSO.
The MCSO was called to investigate the scene at the Reefhouse Resort & Marina at approximately 1:45 p.m. local time, after employees reported they entered a guest’s room due to reports of an “unattended baby crying.”
“There were two young children alone in the room in nursery beds/cribs,” the statement from MCSO alleged. “Staff stated they eventually found the suspects at the pool drinking alcoholic beverages.”
Credit: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
After reviewing security footage and taking witness statements, investigators allege that the children were left alone for approximately 40 minutes to an hour. Authorities said that the children did not sustain any serious injuries in the time they were left in the room.
“The Department of Children and Family Services was notified,” MCSO’s statement continued. “The children were transferred to the custody of a family friend until DCF arrived.”
Credit: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
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Brian, 43, and Allison, 40, were each arrested and booked on two felony counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to online jail records viewed by PEOPLE. Both are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1.
PEOPLE has reached out to the MCSO for a statement on the investigation.
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