5-year-old with autism left home alone for 8 hours, mom arrested

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A 5-year-old boy with autism was found outside by neighbors, and now his mother is in jail.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office says the boy was left home alone for eight hours because his mom had to go to work. Body camera video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows deputies confronting 28-year-old Yvana Miller.

Investigators say she left her 5-year-old son who has autism home alone while she went to work. WINK News reporter Miyoshi Price went to Miller's neighborhood in North Fort Myers, where neighbors said they were shocked after learning what happened just steps from their homes.

"It was kind of a shock," said Thomas Schaeffer.

Schaeffer lives three doors down and saw first responders swarm the area.

"The other night, I come out and there was two sheriff's deputies, ambulance, fire truck, and they were down here trying to help a child, I believe," Schaeffer said.

Deputies say that child was found outside the house with no clothes on. One of the neighbors who called 911 told Price the child was found alone, wrapped in a blanket and holding a tablet.

Investigators say Miller told detectives she was working an eight-hour shift at an assisted living facility. She used a doorbell camera inside the home to check on her son.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said, "You cannot leave a child home alone for hours and expect technology to replace responsible parenting."

Detectives say inside the house, they found little furniture, minimal food and no running water. Neighbors say hearing this hits close to home.

"It just breaks my heart. I mean, I'm a mom. I have a 5-year-old as well," said Liz Daniel Valdez.

Miller was arrested for child neglect without great bodily harm. As for her 5-year-old son, the Sheriff's Office says he is now with a family member.