Gainesville woman charged with child neglect for allegedly leaving 3 children under 4 years of age alone while she went out drinking
Staff report
Updated on May 14 with bail information.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kiara Michelle Kendrick, 24, was arrested early this morning for allegedly throwing a phone at a man’s face; officers later discovered that she had left her three children — ages 2, 3, and 4 — alone for about four hours while she went to a downtown restaurant and bar.
At about 12:24 a.m. on May 13, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the 200 block of West University Avenue, where the victim said he and Kendrick were arguing when she threw his phone at him, hitting his eye.
Post Miranda, Kendrick reportedly said she and the victim had argued; she reportedly admitted to throwing something at the victim but said, “I have been drinking and don’t know what I threw.” She said she did not remember whether the object hit the victim.
Witnesses reportedly said Kendrick threw the phone at the victim, but they did not see it hit the victim in the face. The officer reported that the victim’s left eye had some “reddish coloring.”
During the investigation of an unrelated call, GPD officers also discovered that Kendrick had left her three children — ages 2, 3, and 4 — alone for about four hours while she had been at a downtown restaurant and bar.
Post Miranda, Kendrick reportedly admitted that she had left her children home alone; she said she had set up a Facetime call in the children’s room on her phone, and she had been monitoring the children from a friend’s phone. Kendrick reportedly said she had done this approximately three times in the past, also. She said there was a neighbor she could call if the children needed something, but she had not spoken with the neighbor that evening about watching the children.
A witness reportedly said she had picked Kendrick up from her home at about 9:45 p.m., and the children were left home alone but were “supervised” by a video camera.
Kendrick has been charged with three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm and one count of domestic battery. She has no local criminal history; Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $60,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
“It’s a family affair
It’s a family affair
It’s a family affair
It’s a family affair
One child grows up to be
Somebody that just loves to learn
And another child grows up to be
Somebody you’d just love to burn”
Sly and the Family stone
circle. 1971
It’s not funny. Dealing with children especially that age. Is that what happened to you? I wouldn’t dare make a joke about those kids in a situation like that. Pray for forgiveness. Or you will be their foot steps coming up past you!! Amen
Unfortunely this issue of people having multiple childern at a young age. This spans all cultures from the rich subdivisions to ghettos and trailer parks. People have been raised to have no real responsibility or accountability. They view child care more like caring for a puppy or kitten. The real victims here are the childern and not the person who got hit in the face with a phone. That person probably knew the childern were alone and still let the suspect get intoxicated. She would jave went home drunk to care for three kids.
Wow! Bear….are you trying to say it’s ‘society’s’ fault? Hell with that! You have a CHOICE! These welfare enabled cretins are a product of our own demise.
No it not society its family values, parents choice. Personal choices. Young people are more concerned with their own lives and forget that having a child now makes you responsible for another person. Most young people today can’t make correct choices for themselves let alone decisions that affect others. They have no idea of what life is and have been even been taught the baby step to succeed. Mommy and Daddy have provided everything and cover up for their children’s actions and poor choices. You see that from the rich elite to the ghetto. Kids will be kids and they cant help themselves because it’s easier to pay off or bury your head in the sand. There is a huge disconnect in child rearing in the last thirty years. Kids dont have to get part time jobs to afford things, the are not disciplined correctly, and parents and DEI society want everyone to be a winner abd no one ever loses or gets second place.
And yes government welfare has enabled people to pump childern out for money. In this case this girl has three kids that more or less probably have multiple daddies that are not in the picture. The victim probably is not one if the donors. She is making multiple earnings off those kids, if somethings she just pumps out another she is only 24 and shameless about her responsibilities and only cares about herself and getting drunk. Think about the show (16 and Pregnant) from several years ago. It may have started off with good intentions but turned into a drama queen party and glorified getting pregnant.
He’s not a victim. He knew exactly what he was doing. A phone hit him in the eye. No one seen it happen. And it’s just read. It didn’t have to call the police for that. So if anything the kids are the victims. He wasted our tax money on that call. I’m sure he called about the kids also. But yes she was wrong for leaving the kids. No doubt. But I guess things happen for a reason. I’m just praying for the kids. At this point
Where is daddy, and how many are there?
🤣🤣🤣🤣 willing to bet there’s three different ones
Reminds me of the president who has 3 baby mommas.
And the democrats hate him. He has five kids, 3 wives, and one is a legal migrant, and lives in government housing. Where’s the love? He is everything democrats want in urban decay.
These children would be better off being raised by someone who will love them and make sure they are taken care of properly.
Pathetic. She’s a breeder. The kids are destined to do the same. Pray for these kids.
Three kids by age of 22 probably don’t know who daddy is for for any of Three and the government pays for this put the kids in foster home, cut her benefits, tie her damn tubes
Fl executes.
I’m just confused. Who said she was on welfare or stayed in a subsidized housing? That’s the problem. Do quick to judge others. And god said he’s the only judge. Just pray for the kids and her. That’s all you have to do!!! Because we as humans say so much behind these writings but will no dare step in the hood to say what your saying. So why say it. If you’re not going to make a difference then just stop criticizing others. I know a glass house throwing stones when I see one. Just like I know a lot of yall wish you didn’t vote for the president we have today. But to ashamed to admit it. Until gas is 10$ then we see you on a scooter praying no one recognizes you for your choice of words and stupidity due to something us up class doesn’t understand. Or are we upper class. Because it’s more richer people than us. So we are still considered less fortunate in those eyes. (Food for thought)
24 years old three kids I’ll bet 100 of my dollars every dollar of yours that she is on damn welfare and living in government housing with snap