Lakeland woman accused of leaving 4 children in car while drinking at Winter Haven lounge

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Published  December 17, 2024 9:34pm EST
FOX 13 News
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    LAKELAND, Fla. - A Lakeland woman is accused of leaving four children alone in a vehicle while she drank at a lounge in Winter Haven, according to deputies. 

    The Polk County Sheriff's Office said they arrested Tiffany Simmons, 36, after the children were found inside an idle vehicle in the parking lot of Apple Lounge and Grill, which is off of Recker Highway. Deputies said they found a 10-month-old girl, a 3-year-old boy, a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy alone in the vehicle. 

    How the children were found

    Deputies responded to the lounge just after 9:15 p.m. after an employee called after finding the kids. Lounge employees told PCSO that Simmons arrived after 8 p.m. with a young boy. 

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    Simmons was told by employees that no one under 21 years old was allowed inside the lounge, so she told them she would take the boy outside to wait for his father, deputies said. She came back inside without the child after about 15 minutes, and deputies said she ordered food, drank vodka and danced.

    Lounge staff got suspicious of Simmons, and they looked inside vehicles in the parking lot, which is when they found the four children and called the sheriff's office. 

    Grady Judd responds

    Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd released the following statement on the arrest: 

    "Tiffany Simmons has a history of bad decisions, and this one is the latest. She left these four beautiful children, alone…in an idling vehicle, parked in a dimly lit parking lot, and outside of a lounge. All the while, she’s inside drinking vodka. The oldest child had a cell phone with no phone service, and he didn’t know how to call 911 in an emergency. Simmons’ actions are infuriating and reprehensible."

    Suspect behind bars

    Investigators approached Simmons inside the lounge once they arrived, and PCSO said she appeared intoxicated, acted belligerent, uncooperative and physically defiant. While authorities took her into custody, Simmons even kicked a Polk County deputy. 

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    The Florida Department of Children and Families initiated a safety plan for the children, who were all turned over to biological family members, according to PCSO. 

    Simmons was arrested on the following charges: 

    • Four counts of negligent child abuse
    • Battery on a law enforcement officer
    • Two counts of resisting with violence
    • Two counts of resisting without violence
    • Three counts of leaving children unattended in a vehicle for more than 15 minutes

    She was also cited for unattended vehicle idling with keys in the ignition, according to PCSO. Deputies said she was taken to the Polk County Jail, but this isn't her first time behind bars. 

    Investigators said Simmons has a prior criminal history that includes: 

    • Vehicle theft
    • Burglary
    • Retail theft
    • Prostitution
    • Criminal traffic
    • Numerous illegal drug possessions (including marijuana, cocaine and heroine)

    The investigation remains active. 

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