Two Charged With Child Neglect After Child Falls Out Of Moving Car

Palm Coast, FL - A man and a woman are facing child neglect charges, on top of multiple others, after a passerby noticed a child fall out of the back of their vehicle. The reporting party called for help on Wednesday (September 15) after witnessing a 4-year-old child fall from a vehicle headed westbound on State Road 100 in Flagler County. The same witness also watched as the vehicle continued without stopping to collect the child. Shortly after the child fell out, the vehicle returned as 18-year-old Jacob Santos and 26-year-old Desiree Rodriguez came to pick up them up. As the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) investigated, they determined there were four juveniles, aged 4 to 9-years-old, in the backseat of the car, including the child that fell out. All four of the children were not wearing seatbelts as there were only three seatbelts available. There were also no car seats found within the vehicle. According to a report from the FCSO, when the car returned to the scene deputies noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When they searched the vehicle, authorities found recently smoked marijuana, a baggie of approximately 1 gram of marijuana, and a baggie of 2 1⁄2 Xanax bars. Santos and Rodriguez told deputies they were heading to South Carolina from Miami to see family. Rodriguez told investigators she fell asleep at one point during the drive and woke up when other children began to ask where their sibling was.  “This is another mother who will not be earning the mother of the year award and the uncle won’t be the uncle of the year,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “I am glad that the child was not hurt. This could have ended very badly for the child. Thank you to the witness for calling us and to the deputies that quickly responded to protect the child and arresting the uncle and mother for child neglect.” Both were arrested and transported to the Flagler County Jail, charged with child neglect. Santos is facing additional charges of driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana. His bond is set at $3,400. Rodriguez is facing an additional charge of possession of a controlled substance. Her bond is set at $5,000. The children have since been turned over to the custody of the Department of Children and Families.