Florida dad left 4-year-old at home to attend DUI school, deputies say
08/10/2020 12:16 pm PDT
via WFLA:
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) -- An Englewood father was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly left his 4-year-old son home alone for several hours while he attended DUI school in Venice.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Department said the boy was found sitting by himself in front of a local business Saturday morning. The person who found the child said he began to cry and tried running away, but she was able to calm him down and call 911.
The child said he woke up and found his father was gone, so he decided to go for a walk. He gave deputies a description of their house and their vehicle and said his dad was "away at school."
Department of Children and Families personnel responded and helped identify the child's father as 32-year-old Eric Sickler.
Deputies found Sickler's home unlocked. When Sickler returned from DUI school, he told deputies he had searched everywhere for the boy.
Sickler was arrested for child neglect without great bodily harm for failing to provide the care, supervision, and necessities to maintain a safe and healthy environment. He posted $5,000 bond on Sunday.
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