North Fort Myers, United States – A North Fort Myers mother has been arrested after authorities say she left her 5-year-old autistic son alone at home for nearly eight hours while she went to work.

The incident unfolded on Caterina Court after neighbors reported seeing the young child sitting outside near the roadway without clothing or adult supervision.

Responding deputies and fire rescue crews conducted a welfare check at the residence and found no adults inside. Officials also reported that the home appeared to have little furniture, minimal food, and no running water.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno addressed the case, stating: “You cannot leave a CHILD home alone for hours and expect technology to replace responsible parenting. This innocent child was found sitting outside alone near the roadway, completely unsupervised. Thanks to alert neighbors and the swift response from our deputies and detectives, this child is now safe. We will always fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Investigators later identified and contacted the child’s mother, 28-year-old Yvana Miller.

During questioning, Miller admitted she left the child alone while working an approximately eight-hour shift at a Cape Coral assisted living facility. She also told detectives she monitored the child remotely using a doorbell camera inside the home.

The child was later evaluated by emergency medical services and placed with a family member.

Miller was charged with child neglect and taken to the Lee County Jail.

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