'We Trusted Her': Babysitter Accused of Driving Florida Toddlers to Wisconsin, Abandoning Them at Playground
July 6 2023, Published 2:08 p.m. ET
After two children went missing in Florida, they were found abandoned nearly 1,000 miles away at a Wisconsin playground and their babysitter was placed under arrest, authorities said.
A 1-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl recently were left in the care of 18-year-old Adalyn Burkett, a friend of the children’s mother, WFLA reported.
According to investigators, Burkett was supposed to babysit the two children overnight and their mother allowed Burkett to use her vehicle as long as it was returned the following day.
On June 24, the mother called Burkett to arrange a pickup, which is when she learned the sitter had left the state with the vehicle and the two children, WFLA reported.
Police said Burkett and 22-year-old Marquan Edwards drove the children to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Police issued a Missing Child Alert and once Burkett and Edwards found out about it, they allegedly abandoned the children in a Milwaukee neighborhood public park, according to WFLA. Officials believe Burkett and Edwards wanted to distance themselves from the investigation and avoid arrest.
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Local authorities found the children on the evening of June 24, officials said.
On June 26, the U.S. Marshal Service said agents located and arrested Burkett and Edwards at a home in Milwaukee.
Burkett and Edwards are facing charges in Florida in connection with the taking of the children and car, WISN reported.
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According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Milwaukee Police are also investigating the two for abandoning the children in the park. The Milwaukee Police Department said they would be referring charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.
Tina Leach, the children's grandmother, told WFLA, “We never thought she would have done something like that. We trusted her. It just shows you who you can’t trust.”
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