What was supposed to be a night out at Universal CityWalk ended with a Lake Mary mom in handcuffs after deputies say her 12-year-old daughter was found sitting alone at a bar on Saturday night.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the CW Shoreline Bar around 10:30 p.m. after staff spotted the girl by herself and visibly upset. The child told investigators her mother had brought her to the bar while already intoxicated, then left without her, as reported by ClickOrlando. The affidavit identifies the mother as 33-year-old Amanda Laurel Thorpe of Lake Mary and says deputies later tracked her to the nearby Red Coconut Club.
A deputy who found Thorpe on the Red Coconut Club dance floor reported that she had red, bloodshot eyes, an unsteady gait, and smelled strongly of alcohol, according to the affidavit cited by ClickOrlando. Thorpe was arrested and is now facing a child neglect charge, the report states.
What the law says
Under Florida law, neglect can be either repeated conduct or a single failure to act that causes, or could reasonably be expected to cause, serious physical or mental injury to a child. Penalties depend on how much harm is done. In cases where neglect results in great bodily harm, it can be charged as a felony, according to the Florida Legislature.
CityWalk late-night scene
Universal CityWalk doubles as a family gateway to the theme parks and a nighttime hotspot, with an entertainment district packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants where locals and tourists mix. Spots like the Red Coconut Club are known for music and late-night crowds, according to local guides. That blend of family traffic and nightlife can leave staff calling law enforcement when unaccompanied minors turn up, Orlando Informer notes.
Prosecutors are expected to review the arrest affidavit before deciding on any formal charges. This story will be updated as court records or official statements provide more details.
