Layza Pinero Resto
•5/14/2026
A North Fort Myers mother is in custody after reports that her autistic five-year-old child was left alone at her house for almost eight hours.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, neighbors on Caterina Court contacted deputies after spotting the child near the road outside of the home. Deputies say the child was unclothed and without supervision.
After responding to the home, deputies say there were no adults inside and that there was little furniture, a small amount of food and no running water. The child's mother, Yvana Miller, 28, was later located, contacted and questioned.
Miller reportedly admitted she left her child alone while she worked an eight-hour-shift at an assisted living facility in Cape Coral. She added that she monitored her child through a doorbell camera placed in the home.
Miller was arrested and charged with child neglect. She was taken to the Lee County Jail.
The child was evaluated by EMS and turned over to a family member, LCSO says.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.