On July 18th, 2025, a baby was found alone in a running car outside Smiles Bar in Palm Coast. Both parents were inside drinking, and their explanation only made things worse. >> Not only that, but that's So, we just got to >> smash the windows and make sure the kids are okay. >> The door to the vehicle was unlocked, even with the baby left unattended inside. >> Really cool. >> And then Nobody's come out to the vehicle. >> Oh, the guy in there. >> He did. He came out and like looked in or something. >> Older white male. Older white male. >> Yeah, I think he had a hat on. >> Okay. >> The mother of the child steps out a minute later and is immediately detained by police. >> I said to be angry. Try to get cash to get meet at home or public uh >> your husband's on top. What is he wearing? >> Black. >> He's wearing all black. >> Does he have like a hat on or anything? >> No. But why do I have to have this? We're we're going to talk to you in just a minute. We're going to explain everything. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I just >> I just need to go inside and grab your husband real quick. >> Okay. No problem. I'm not trying to move. Okay. >> Yeah, you're fine. >> Yeah. I was just wondering where >> you said we're going to explain everything to you in just a minute. Okay. >> I'm going to go to jail. >> We're going to talk about that. >> Okay. Cuz I don't work right now. So, I have to have cash from you to get you were here. >> Close this door real quick. I don't want to wake you. >> Give me a minute. Turn around. Put your phone back. >> I know. I told him I just come here to get cash. I come here to get cash from you cuz I don't work and I have to pee. >> Yeah. And my phone is over there. Can you please? >> Your phone's in the >> cuz like I said, I have to pee and then check the baby real fast. >> Yeah. >> Y'all have to get in the car. Oh, I'm here in the car. >> I had to pee. >> The [ __ ] just died on beach last I've been here. >> Babe, it's Hey, it's okay. Babe, it's okay. I told him I need to get cash from you cuz they were here with the friend, you know, and I came here to get cash. >> You're going to sit over here. >> Babe, it's okay. Babe, he's a little bit stressed out. So, I let him go out. Can we please grab my phone? I'm not going anywhere. >> Where's your phone at in the bar? >> Yeah, cuz I had to pee and then I just grabbed um you know, quick here because I didn't know I had to. I cannot bring him to the bathroom like that. >> Okay. >> Cuz they're smoking bar, you know. I don't know if you know, but they're smoking bar. So, I had to pee with Sorry about my wording. >> So, where did you guys come here together? >> No, I it was here and then I come here cuz I needed the cash. No, they go he go here and then we come cuz either here whoever is open first, you know, we can get what we need like just wipes and stuff, you know. >> Which one's your vehicle or did you use >> this one? His is black one. Um I believe over there. >> He got here like maybe 3 hours. Yeah. And I had to be real expensive. Babe, >> you got here 3 hours ago, right? >> Yeah. And I said I want to get cash to get a baby stuff for teing. >> Yeah, I get that. But at no point is it okay to leave a child in the car. >> Yeah, but they smoking barric so I can't bring him over there. I had to pee here. But you put me like this. So it's not like I'm going to run. But I understand. >> Do you want to come? Do you want to come to your trunk real quick and I can just have you lean up against the car so I don't have to hold you like this the whole time? You just want to lean up against the car? >> You can hold me how you want. It's fine. But I do have my phone over there cuz I I go faster here to check on my B and I forgot my phone. >> We're going to talk to you guys. Sir, I don't need you I don't need you talking to her. We're We're going to talk to both of you in a minute. >> We're going to talk to both of you in a minute. Sorry. And a smoking bar. I cannot bring the baby in there. That's why I run faster cuz >> it doesn't matter if it was a smoking bar at all. >> I had to be I just wanted to get what we need from the store already. Are we staying here or we going to >> We're going to stay here for the time being. Yeah. Not going anywhere. >> I just want to know cuz I never had this problem before. I don't know how long before before he gets here. I'm not sure. But I think it was like 3 hours and then baby woke up and decided to come out to get what we need. I don't work right now, so I have to get passion. I don't know if I need to explain first. Why not? Do I need? No, >> it's okay. What's um what's you guys's relationship? >> That's my husband. It's our baby. First baby. >> You guys live together and everything. >> Mhm. >> You drive I got here 3 hours ago >> and then I came out decided to come out when baby woke up. >> Yeah. Not even >> We're not talking to We're not talking to him. >> Oh, sorry. >> I'm just asking you about your relationship with him. I'm going to talk to him in a minute. >> Okay. The lady is getting we actually just board up the house so we get to take a ride and get what we need. I normally go to CVS. >> Don't talk to him. We're not talking. >> I'm not I'm not talking to I don't have anything with me but my phone I told him to put it in because I had to use the restroom and I was running here to check on the baby and I forgot I'm going to jail. >> Like you said we're going to talk about all that in a minute. I don't want to ask you any direct questions about the situation right now because some of the questions may be selfinccriminating. So I need to >> Okay, no problem. Is she okay? >> I can't really see. But >> we're not talking to him. >> Oh, please make sure he's okay. >> Yeah, the child's okay. That's the first thing we did when we got here. >> Like I said, we're going to talk to both of you. >> I let him go out cuz he's a little bit stressed out. He thinks him. The baby's uh teing, start teing. So, he is crying a lot at home. So, >> how old is the baby? >> Five uh 6 months actually. Today is the 17 18. >> I don't know what is today. >> I don't know. It's my fault. I should never come here to get cash. It's not my husband's fault. Sorry. Why I feel like crying? I don't. Sorry. >> Did you have your ID with you or? >> Yeah, it's like I said, I'm not planning to like stay here. So, I have everything in the car aside from my phone. I'm sorry. >> All right. >> No talking. >> I can fix the cuffs for you. >> In the bar. >> I can fix Okay. Like I said, we're going to talk about that in a minute. If the cuffs are hurting you, I can fix >> hurting me because I have bad back problems. I was the first responder at 911. >> Okay. Is it okay? >> I was in the bar. She came to get me. She was here maybe 5 minutes and I was paying double cuffs. That's hurting your shoulder blades. So >> those are van pelts. Correct. >> So we can stretch them out completely. >> Okay. >> Let her do not talk to her. I already told you she's my wife. >> I don't care if she's your wife. You both are being detained right now. You're not going to be screaming over at her. >> I'm not screaming at her. But you have no right to talk to her right now. >> She's an adult. She can make adult decisions. >> Clearly. Well, she's also my wife. Okay. So any statement that she makes without you reading her rights is admissible in court. >> Okay, you can come this way. >> Whatever. >> I was sitting there and she came to get me. >> Um >> Chris, make sure you have my phone and and all the stuff off the bar, please. >> And pat him down early so I can make sure he doesn't. >> Make sure these are double locks. >> Why are you so mad at me? >> I'm not You're not listening to directions while we are conducting an investigation. >> Sorry for that, but I'm a little bit tired cuz I was sitting there. She came in to get me as I'm paying a tab. The officer walks in and says, "Rom Finnegan." I said, "Yes, come with me." I asked her once when she came in as I was paying my tab, "Go check him in the car." >> Hey, do me a favor. Stand stand up against the trunk for me. No. Face the trunk. There you go. Spread your feet. You got anything on it that's going to poke me, stick me, harm me? >> No, not that I believe. >> See, I think it's easier if you go above first. >> Yeah, I know. All right. >> You're a little bit of a taller guy. >> Hold on. [ __ ] Oh, god. >> Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. You got to put your hands behind you. >> Yeah. We're not going to be hard. >> Can't sit on your hands. There you go. >> Hold on. >> Okay. Can I have my wallet back, please? >> It's going to go with you. Okay. >> Wow. >> Well, it's my fault for coming here. He was here 3 hours ago. >> He was here 3 hours ago. Okay. >> With the I let him go cuz he's a little bit stressed out for the day. So, I let him go here. But for me and the baby wake up and he starts eating. So, he keeps crying. So, what I do is make a ride, you know, ride here. And then I had to pee and get cash from him. I was trying to make them let you go because it is my fault. Actually, it is my fault for coming here. I'll take all the responsibility. >> It's just while we're investigating, we're not going to have somebody yelling at us across the parking lot and telling us. Yeah. >> They're not going to dictate how we do our job. She's saying it's not his fault. Like, he's been here drinking for several hours and she came up here to check on him and to pick him up and then she said she went inside to pee, but we know she was at the bar drinking because there's a drink at the bar. >> Yep. But she's saying it's all her fault and she's owning up to all of it. >> What did they say inside? Anything? >> Yeah, same thing. Okay, he's been here for a lot longer. >> She recently came up here, but she was drinking. They they both have drinks at the bar. How did we get to where we're at right now where there is both of you inside of a bar and there's a child in the car? >> Yeah. >> Bar is like before I even got pregnant, it's already I was known with everyone. Say hi first before I leave. And then I asked him if he's ready. He's trying to pay his uh bill, you know, the paper tab. Yes, tab. Yeah, he's trying to pay that and we were leave. I think they were ready. So, I went to pee and then leave my phone in the table where he's sitting at. And then I just run here because the baby is alone. Yeah. So, I was going to grab it back just to make sure he's okay. >> So, why is the baby alone in the park? >> Because I couldn't bring him with me inside because it's smoking bar. >> It's a bar in general, >> right? A smoking bar >> where the kid does not belong, >> right? I just had to pee so bad like fully. Yeah. and I have to get cash from him if he's not ready to go home yet. >> So, when did you guys get here? >> Like maybe 10 minutes when you guys are out here. Like I said, he was paying his tab, maybe getting ready to go and we go. You can ask the bartender. You already have the the paper ready. The one you sign when you pay and then you give them the the money. Actually, if you look in the paper, you should say the time there he was trying to tap out cuz we wanted to go home and I didn't mind if he didn't want to leave. >> So, did you guys get here at the same time or was he okay? He was here 3 hours or more. >> Okay. He's been here for 3 hours or more. >> Mhm. >> And you said his vehicle's where? >> Black. >> It's a black vehicle over there. >> Yeah. Um >> Yeah. Black. Black. And this is my >> Yeah. I should never come. What time did you get? >> What time I got here? I know it's not like long because I just happened to come here because I want to get cash from him. That way we can go to CVS and get my baby needs. But if he's ready to go home, then I'll take him. Um, >> so how long do you think you've been here? >> 10 minutes to maybe when you were here and then I had to pay real fast. Yes. >> So you think you've been here 10 minutes? >> Yes. >> Okay. And you're saying you came here to get cash from him? >> Yeah, we should get cash. If he has it and if he's ready to go home, then we can all go home. He said yes. And so he paying his tab. I think if uh you go to the bartender and ask for the paper bill, you know what he paid for or what he's about to pay. He should say the time there's somewhere that what time is cashing out. So we're just waiting on her to finish with other customer and then and because I known the people there. So I say okay bye bye. Yeah. >> Okay. Is there a reason there was a drink in front of you? >> Oh well I think I will do one but then I don't really want it. So it's not like I drink it. So I said okay just to say okay to people and then I leave but I'll go leave cuz I think he can drive. He can manage. Yeah. So I I'm still okay with the baby if even if I go to CVS or not. It didn't matter to me. It just he's sitting and crying all the time at home. So I didn't know how to stop him sometimes. So then I just give him a ride here and there even though he's not here. >> So even for 10 minutes, you left him. In your mind it was 10 minutes, right? That's what >> I actually checking in between cuz I wanted to see if he's paying or or ready to go and then I come back. I have to run back. Yeah. I asked him, "Are you ready to go?" So yeah. And he's paying the tab. >> You're checking on what in between? Checking on the child in between. >> Yeah. I go back I go one out here and then after I pee, I go back in here and then I ask him if he's ready to go. He's paying the tub and then I come out again. I even left my phone cuz I see I see people. So I like come back out real fast. So I said I got to go. So but he was been here for a while. They even have a camera. You might check. Yeah. >> So when we So when we got here >> So I I was asking the um the other if they can let him go. It is my fault. So I'll take the responsibility. >> So when we got here, what were you doing inside? >> I was talking to them and see if he's ready to go. He's paying the tub and we'll go out. So, when you went in to use the restroom, was that at a separate time? >> No, I just left my phone because I go run faster. And then I uh said, "Hold on. I'll come back cuz I can't hear the part." And then I see him cashing outside. I said, "Okay, I'll wait. Let's go." Even if he's driving, we're right behind him. I'm actually hurting a little bit. But I think it's not the way I put my hands. I'm okay. But that's all I wanted to know cuz it is actually my fault. I should have never come here cuz I I did. It's my fault. I let him go out by himself. Yeah. Cuz he had maybe a bad day like everybody does. point. Did he come out to check on the child? >> Yeah, one time in between. >> I him. No, me. Are you talking about me or him? >> Him? >> No, he's there cuz I'm responsible cuz I just wanted to see if he has cash. If not, and he's not ready to go, we'll go. But he was paying the tub already. So, we will go. Even if have to follow us or we follow him. It didn't matter. >> So, were you coming here to pick him up cuz you knew? >> No, I needed a cash. I don't work. I'm sorry. It was just for the cash. >> So, if he's ready to go, then we will all go. But if he's not, I respect that since I let him go out. So now I >> was he not like answering like could you get in touch with him another way? Was he not answering his phone? >> I didn't uh message that I'm on my way here, but I said we were going out. Just go out because he's sitting and he's crying a lot at home. >> Yeah, keys are the keys are in the car. >> Yeah, cuz I wasn't planning on staying here and the car is on cuz I was just asking and go >> at any point to leave a child in her car. >> Yes, I understand. I very understand. So that's why I said my husband is not his fault. I'll stay with you if I need as much as you want to keep. But it's not his fault. If they can go him and the baby can do that would be I'm okay. Whatever you need me to do. >> Why would there be a drinking party? >> That one. Everybody knows me. But I really don't want to drink. So I just leave it. >> But why order it in the first place? >> I guess you got used to me like that. Like I go in just one place. Yeah. >> But I said no. I have a baby. >> You see where it's not making sense? >> Yeah. But I really didn't like it. So I don't want I don't want to I want to go home. And he said he's ready to go. So okay, let's go. He's ready to go. He's paying the top. I think he should stay there the time that he wanted to. >> He didn't like the drink. So you left him there. >> Yeah, I left him there. It's right there. I didn't want it. So I I'm just tired and I wanted to get what we need and just come home. And I didn't know this is going to happen. As soon as I put him in the car like 2 minutes, he fall asleep already. But if we're home, he cries a lot cuz I think the gums is bothering me. >> All righty, sir. So like I said, I was going to talk to you and explain situation to you. He's got to read some verse. >> All week long I'm working and everything else. She's been watching the kid yesterday, today. I've ever been watching. She starts crying and freaking out. She doesn't know what to do. So immediately she text me or messaged me from, you know, how handling stuff over at 1405 doing payroll or whatever. We're out getting groceries or whatever I'm doing when I'm not around because I'm with him so much and he's like a daddy's boy and I know how to sue him cuz he doesn't self soothe. Right now he's only 6 months old. So he doesn't self soo and she doesn't understand that. Basically at this at this point anytime he wakes up she freaks out, gives him a bottle or lets him stay awake and he starts crying and freaking out. So she came here to get me. I was sitting inside >> because the baby was crying >> just fussing and and she doesn't really know how to handle this as her firstborn child. I was sitting at the bar. I said, "Okay, great. Pay the tab. Get out of here." >> You said she texted you. >> She texted me earlier. What are you doing? I said nothing. Sitting here. She says, "Who's here?" I said, "Nobody." And then I actually took a picture of Glenn cuz I said Glenn just walked in. Took a picture of Glenn, sent it to her. She says, "Of course." She says, "So, what are you doing?" They said, "Nothing. I'm just hanging out here. I'm having a drink and a shot and coming home." And then she showed up here. She walked in the door and left the car running with the AC on with the car. And I said, "Go check." She went outside, checked him. She came back in said I said, "Everything good?" He said, "Is he sleeping?" "Yes, he's sleeping." I was paying my tab and your officer walked in. >> Did you at any point come out to check on >> myself? Yeah. >> Within the 10 minutes she was here? No. I made sure she did twice. Cory gave her a drink. She didn't even touch it. Didn't even touch it. Believe me, I'm not going to attack you. I'm not going to >> I didn't even know if somebody put it on him. I'm not going to >> No, it Yeah, >> they're taking me away. Tommy's here. Let Tommy deal with it. They're giving Tommy the keys to the house, everything. It is what it is. We're going to arrange at about 8:30 in the morning. All right. Jesus. >> I'm going to give her that second car right there. Okay. >> Even though I'm the one who said all that. Okay. Um I was tired. Sorry. >> All right. So, I'm going to be searching you. Okay. Spread your feet for me. All right. Is there anything on you that's going to poke or stick me, hurt me in any way? >> My earring. Maybe you have anything that would be considered contraband in an inmate facility. >> I know. I'm scared. >> Um, just be aware if you do introduce anything that's considered contraband, it's an additional felony. Okay. >> I have the same spiel for everybody. >> It's okay. >> All right. It's easy if you go butt first. >> There you go. And just your feet in. Watch your head. Oh, sorry. Oh, did you see my black? >> I got this. >> Yep. >> Clarice Ancel Finnegan and Norman Edward Finnegan Jr. were both arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. The infant was safely turned over to a family contact and both suspects were transported to the Flaggler County Inmate Facility.