A Longwood father has been charged after his non-verbal, autistic 5-year-old daughter went missing on Monday, only to be found safe several hours later. According to a report by WFTV, José Diaz allegedly neglected to adhere to a created safety plan, which stipulated the necessity of another adult's presence and a functional door alarm.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office cited that Diaz, upon their visit to his residence, appeared "disheveled and confused," and that there was a noticeable odor of alcohol on his person, as per WESH. In a situation demanding heightened vigilance for his two children, who require round-the-clock care, his alleged failure to provide the necessary supervision and shelter plunged him into the custody of law enforcement.
Investigators stated that Diaz had a safety plan in place, post the incident, dealing with his daughter's disappearance. Despite this, their follow-up actions unveiled that Diaz had been negligent. In a statement obtained by WESH, the arrest affidavit detailed that Diaz had vomited on himself and was in a state of confusion, which suggested an inability to care for his children properly at that moment.
