NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2009
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
  (850) 651-7420

CRYING BABY IN FILTHY APARTMENT LEADS TO CHILD NEGLECT ARREST

Jennifer D'Dilva

      A 20-year old Fort Walton Beach woman is charged with child neglect after deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office found a seven month old infant alone and crying inside a filthy apartment on Beverly Street May 20th. A neighbor called the Sheriff's Office at 7:38 Wednesday morning after hearing the baby crying and noticing that no one appeared to be home. A Deputy who responded knocked repeatedly but no one answered. The doors and windows were locked. A property manager was contacted to come and unlock the apartment.

     Inside, deputies found a crying baby strapped in a car seat, wearing a diaper overflowing in urine and full of fecal matter. The infant was also surrounded by dirty diapers and trash. Deputies say a survey of the  residence showed it to be filthy and in complete disarray. The baby was taken to the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center for a medical exam and care. The examining doctor says the infant's head is misshapen and she has weak muscular structure, likely due to being restrained in a car seat for extended periods of time and a lack of physical mobility.  The baby also had a rash, blisters, and a yeast infection caused by urine burns and fecal matter.

    Deputy Jermaine Scott obtained a  warrant for 20-year old Jennifer D'Silva of  1402 Beverly Street, Apartment B on a charge of child neglect.  On May 21st, D'Silva was located at a home on Spinnaker Lane in Shalimar and taken into custody. She is currently being held at the Okaloosa County jail in Crestview.

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