On October 18, Irene Miller, 50, left her four children, ages 9, 11, 12, and 14, alone in their condo in Kissimmee, Florida, while she went on a five-day work trip to Las Vegas. During her absence, the nine-year-old boy got hurt and was taken to the hospital by emergency services. When the police called Irene to inform her, she refused to return home and criticized her eldest son for calling 911.
Irene did not come back to Florida after her son’s injury and continued to express frustration towards her children for seeking help. She was arrested by Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies when her flight arrived at Orlando International Airport on October 23. She faces four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.
Captain Kim Montes reported that Irene’s 11-year-old daughter called 911 on October 21, stating that a dumbbell had accidentally fallen on her brother’s head. The child received treatment for head lacerations and was later released from the hospital. When police reached out to Irene, she indicated that she would remain in Las Vegas until Friday and could not return home.
Irene, a professional photographer, claimed she had hired a babysitter from Tampa to assist her children in the mornings and check on them in the afternoons, but the babysitter was not supposed to stay overnight. After her arrest, she was released the next day after posting a $4,000 bond. It is unclear when her next court appearance will be.
After Irene’s refusal to return home, the police contacted her estranged husband, Mark Miller, who was unaware that Irene had left the children unsupervised. The authorities placed the four kids in Mark’s care. He started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $5,000 for support, as the family is currently living in a single-room motel. Mark, originally from Ukraine, stated that although he has no contact with Irene, he believes she made choices she didn’t fully think through.
Mark and Irene were married for 15 years and began divorce proceedings two years ago. They lived together in the Kissimmee condo until August when Irene accused Mark of physical harm, which he denies. Mark was arrested on August 21 and charged with battery after allegedly striking Irene outside of their children’s school. Court records show he was released on a $10,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty, requesting a jury trial.
A family friend shared that the accident happened while the children were trying to build a blanket fort. They were reportedly using the dumbbell to help secure the fort when it fell.
Sources:
Source: Bored Panda, by Dinara Luz