PALM COAST, Fla.
– A Palm Coast husband and wife were arrested after they allegedly left a baby in their car while they had drinks in a bar, a news release said.
Flagler County deputies were tipped off by witnesses shortly after 10 p.m. Friday that said they saw a child left unattended inside a car outside of a bar in Palm Coast, the release stated. When authorities arrived at the bar, they found the car was left unlocked with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.
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A baby was found sleeping in a car seat that was “improperly secured” in the back seat, deputies said.
The owner of the car, Clarisse Finnegan, 28, and her husband, Norman Finnegan Jr., 60, were each in the bar when deputies arrived, according to the release.
Clarisse Finnegan told deputies that she went inside the bar to use the restroom and get money from Norman Finnegan to buy childcare for the infant, the release said.
However, Officials said the couple gave conflicting statements about Clarisse Finnegan’s time inside the bar, and witnesses confirmed that both were at the bar drinking.
The couple were both arrested, and each are facing charges of felony neglect without great bodily harm, the release stated.
They were transported to the Flagler County jail where Norman Finnegan was later released on $2,500 bond and Clarisse Finnegan was released on her own recognizance, officials said.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating this incident, the release said.
