An unsettling incident unfolded in Osceola County, Florida, where a man was accused of abandoning his 10-year-old daughter by the side of a highway following an argument. Hector Serrano, 30, was subsequently arrested and faces a charge of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to ClickOrlando. He was booked at the Osceola County Jail with his bond set at $2,500. The arrest came after deputies responded to reports of a distressed juvenile on the side of the road near Kissimmee just before 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Witnesses reported seeing the girl and her possessions being thrown out of a pickup truck on Scott Boulevard and West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. The pickup, driven by Serrano, was observed to quickly drive off, even running multiple red lights and nearly causing an accident. These details were compiled from witness accounts and the deputies' charging affidavit. The young girl, after being spotted by a deputy, was too distraught to initially speak but did manage to indicate that she had been asked to leave the vehicle, and her cellular phone had been taken from her.
During a subsequent stop of Serrano's truck, deputies took statements after informing him of his Miranda Rights. The redacted arrest report doesn't disclose specific names or relationships but suggests that Serrano's actions were in response to a warning that law enforcement would be called "if he did not return her to the residence." The walk from where the girl was left to her residence was estimated to be about 21 minutes, as detailed by ClickOrlando.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez described the area alongside Highway 192 near Scotts Boulevard, where the incident occurred, as "very heavily traveled" and "pretty dangerous," with frequent occurrences of pedestrians being struck by vehicles. "She was distraught at the time. She was crying, she was confused. She’s a 10-year-old little girl. It's after midnight hours and it's dark," Lopez stated, as per FOX 35 News about the girl's condition when located.
