Florida Attorney Allegedly Abandons Two Children on Beach; Toddler Found in Surf

In an alarming event that unfolded on the scenic Upham Beach Park in St. Pete Beach, Florida, two young girls were found unattended.

More distressingly, one of them, a 3-year-old toddler, was discovered wandering the surf, immersed up to her waist, all alone. The person responsible for them, Patricia Anne Bronson, a 41-year-old practicing attorney from Tampa, is now in the legal spotlight, facing serious felony child neglect charges related to the incident.

Bronson's Connection

The Tampa Bay Times provided a detailed account of what transpired. They reported that Bronson had allegedly left both the toddler and her 7-year-old sister on the beach, with no adult supervision, for what is believed to have been a period extending up to 45 minutes on that fateful Saturday.

Concerned beachgoers, taken aback by the sight of these young children left to their own devices, took the initiative to alert local police authorities. When officers arrived and engaged the older of the two siblings, they were quickly directed towards the water, where they found the younger girl.

Subsequent to the discovery, Bronson, who is well-established in Tampa's legal circles, is said to have admitted to law enforcement officials that she had indeed been in charge of the girls' care. Her explanation was that she had dropped the children off at the beach and then decided to leave temporarily to park her vehicle.

However, a lingering mystery surrounds her relationship with the children. While police records clearly list her as the children's "caregiver," it's yet to be determined if she's directly related to them or if she might have been watching them on behalf of a relative or perhaps a friend.

Bail and Pending Court Appearance

After the incident, the legal machinery moved swiftly. Bronson was arrested, and formal charges were pressed against her. She faced two counts of neglect of a child without causing major bodily harm. However, upon her arrival at the Pinellas County Jail, her legal woes deepened. Jail personnel, during a routine check, found a small vape pen on her, leading to an additional contraband charge being levied against her.

This entire episode has sparked a wave of concerns in the community. Many are grappling with trying to understand how a professional, especially someone from the legal fraternity who is well-versed in the law, could allegedly overlook the grave responsibilities associated with childcare.

After the initial procedures, Bronson was eventually released from jail custody but had to post a $15,000 bail to secure her release. A subsequent appearance in court awaits her, where she will address the charges leveled against her. When the Tampa Bay Times attempted to get her perspective on the events, Bronson refrained from making any comments.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale and underscores the significance of vigilant adult supervision, particularly in locations like beaches, which, with their inherent dangers like unpredictable waves and currents, are not safe for children to be left unattended. The hope is that such unsettling incidents serve as a wake-up call and reinforce the cardinal principles of child safety in public spaces.