Couple charged with child neglect after leaving infant unattended in vehicle
November 10th, 2009 by Julius WhighamA couple accused of leaving their 7-month-old daughter unattended in a mini-van was arrested Monday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.
Walter Lugo
Monica Alastra, 33, and Walter Lugo, 32, were charged with child neglect. Each posted a $5,000 bond and was released today from the Martin County Jail.
According to a sheriff’s report, deputy Lynne Martella responded at approximately 7:15 p.m. Monday to the parking lot of Joanne’s Fabrics in Jensen Beach. Witnesses reported that the child had been left in the vehicle for approximately 30 minutes.
The vehicle was discovered unlocked and with the windows rolled-up and the ignition turned off. The child did not require medical attention, but her clothing was damp from perspiration and no supplies to care for her were located, the report said.
Monica Alastra
Alastra and Lugo were located shopping inside Joanne’s Fabrics with another child approximately 3 years of age. The couple told Deputy Martella that they had used ‘poor judgment’ and ‘didn’t know what they were thinking’ when they intentionally left the child unattended in the vehicle, the report said.
The Department of Children and Familes was notified and both children were turned over to a family member.
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November 10th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Wow!!! Didn’t know what they were thinking???? What a lame
excuse. People like that don’t need children. They are so irresponsible. They deserve each other!!!
November 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
That is one heck of a poor excuse. I am sick of reading and hearing of children and dogs being left in hot cars unattended. I wish we could declare “OPEN SEASON” on idiots such as this!!!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Are you kidding me? We know this couple. They are the most loving and protective parents possible. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I am outraged at the report that this was an “intentional” incident. This may be what the police said but this is not what happened. How can you judge the character of this couple without all the facts! Is there so little real news to report that you would jeopordize the reputation and integrity of this couple and to put them on the evening news? How cruel! Freedom of Speech? How about Truth!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Since you know them Susan, then what are the facts? The fact is they are trash and both are idiots! There is really no excuse and then some loser like you defends their actions.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
To Susan: Since you said that’s not what happened, well were you there? If so, shed some light so that people can see them differently. I don’t think the police made this up. Since you know them, maybe they are loving and protective, but they can still be irresponsible and if they left their child in the car unsupervised,then that’s what they are - irresponsible. I don’t care if it was for 1 minute!!!! You never leave kids in cars ever unattended!!!
November 10th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Susan, you must have missed the part of the story where they CONFESSED to leaving the baby unattended in the vehicle.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
I remember when loving parents could not sleep at night until they touched their child to make sure they were still breathing. And when you drove with your child in the car you kept looking at them to make sure they did not choke or have anything happen to them. What happened to the real parents who love their childern and feel so proud to have them. The ones who know that when you bring a child into the world knows that they are to love and protect them????
There is NO excuse for forgetting or leaving your child alone for 1 second. People get real………………..
November 11th, 2009 at 2:28 am
To Susan, They might be nice people but they left that baby in the car all by herself. I was there. That baby was screaming and the car was unlocked.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:59 am
What about the person or people who were there to witness and confirm the child being left alone for 30 minutes. If the car was unlocked why didn’t they open the door and rescue that child until the parents were found? I would have broken a window to get that child out of there if it was locked! What about those people? Aren’t they guilty also?
November 11th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
dear Lord, all i can say is even the nicest plp make the biggest mistakes =/
November 11th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
They are my friends, and although i dont understand what was going on their mind when this happened, i am completely sure they never meant any harm for their baby daughter.
All I can say to the people that call them the worst names they can think of, is that anyone can make a mistake… and I am pretty sure that these so called “perfect” parents that dare to judge my friends, make some pretty bad mistakes with their parenting as well… maybe not exactly this, but other thnings, like name calling, cursing in front of them, drinking, etc…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I don’t like when people are offensive and jump to conclusions on what happened, they made a mistake and I know them and I know that they love their children so much and would do anything to protect them It was a mistake!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I know these people theyre one of my best friends. the media does not know what theyre talking about, probably it was a misinterpretation of walter and monica because they do not speak fluent english, the true story is that they have 2 other kids, one is around 4 and the other one around 5, walter lives with his wife and his widow mother in law which he helps and she helps him take care of the smallest child, most of the time he is left with the mother in law, this night they went out to the store and one of the oldest kids ran out of the van and they just got out of the van like they normally do and since they are used to leaving the baby with the mother in law when they go out, they unitentionally thought that the baby was with the mother in law. I myself have a baby girl and after i heard this news i felt really bad about my bestfriends cause i know them, and i know they wouldnt do such a thing because they are strong christians, This was a mistake that I or anyone can make.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:58 am
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February 27th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
es una mentira eso q se olvidaron la bebe en el auto es mentiraaaaaa
March 10th, 2010 at 9:47 am
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