Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Francisco Romero (Arrested)
DOB:02/19/1991
Address: 13474 Adams Circle Apt. C290, Largo
Child Neglect Without Bodily Harm
Victim is a 6-year old female. Per Florida Statute, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.
What:
Deputies have arrested a Largo man- after the child he was caring left the house and was located with her dog in the Rainbow Village community.
When:
The caregiver was located overnight on October 17, 2014.
The child was found at about 8:07 p.m. on October 16, 2014.
Where:
The child was found at 125th Street North and 134th Avenue North in Rainbow Village.
Why/How:
Deputies have arrested 23-year-old Francisco Romero after he realized at about 1:24 a.m. on the 17th of October that the child he was caring for was missing. Deputies say Romero was alerted to the missing child by a roommate who had just arrived to his residence. Deputies say Romero immediately contacted the mother of the child, who was at work, and advised her that the child was gone.
The mother left work and responded to back to the the Rainbow Village home at 13474 Adams Circle. While enroute she called 911 to report the child missing. Deputies responded and made contact with the mother and the suspect. Deputies advised them that the child had been located at about 8:07 p.m. running around a retention pond with her chihuahua.
Deputies interviewed Romero, who ultimately admitted he’d been playing video games and did not realize the child had left the home.
Romero was arrested for child neglect and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
The investigation continues.