Florida Parents Accused of Leaving 2 Kids Alone in Hotel Cribs to Have Drinks by the Pool

A poolside Independence Day celebration ended in handcuffs for a Florida couple on the 4th of July after staff at a Key Largo resort found their two young children alone in a guest room.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in an official statement on July 5 that Allison Cannella, 40, and Brian Cannella, 43, were taken into custody on Saturday, July 4, after deputies responded to the Reefhouse Resort and Marina in Key Largo at around 1:45 p.m.

Hotel staff had entered the couple’s room after hearing an unattended baby crying inside, then called authorities. “There were two young children alone in the room in nursery beds/cribs. Staff stated they eventually found the suspects at the pool drinking alcoholic beverages,” the sheriff’s office said in the statement.

Neither of the two kids was found with any “serious injuries,” according to the statement, but after reviewing resort security footage and speaking with witnesses, investigators were able to determine that the suspects allegedly left the children alone for approximately 40 minutes to an hour — while enjoying poolside drinks.

The couple was booked into Monroe County jail on two felony counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to online jail records. They are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 1.

Authorities said the children were handed over to a family friend at the scene, and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and later arrived to take over their care.