Cantonment Woman Charged After Toddlers Found Alone Crossing Busy Road

April 9, 2019

A Cantonment woman is facing multiple felony child abuse charges after her toddlers were found walking in a busy roadway just off Highway 29.

Melissa Brook Hughes, 31, was charged with two counts of child neglect and two counts of child abuse.

A 1-year old and a 3-year old were found walking alone near the railroad crossing on West Roberts Road, just off Highway 29 Sunday afternoon. Bystanders called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived to find Hughes carry the children back to a house, and a witness told him that the children had crossed the road and were almost hit by passing vehicles.

The deputy noted that Hughes’ home was in complete disarray with trash everywhere. There was no food in the pantry, spoiled food in the refrigerator, many dirty dishes in the home’s kitchen, “hazards” in the children’s bedrooms and bugs throughout the house, according to an arrest report.

The children had several injuries, including bruising, scratch marks and scabs, the report further states.

The Department of Children and Families took emergency custody of both children and transported them to a local hospital for evaluation.

Hughes remained in the Escambia County Jail with her bond set at $40,000.

Comments

2 Responses to “Cantonment Woman Charged After Toddlers Found Alone Crossing Busy Road”

  1. Matchbox on April 11th, 2019 8:17 pm

    She should thank the good Lord above her children didnt get run over…

  2. Preston Hardy on April 9th, 2019 3:52 pm

    I truly hope that a good home can be found for the children.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News