Police: Couple leave tots home to get married

A Seminole County, Fla., couple have been charged with leaving their children home alone after their wedding.

Authorities with the Casselberry Police Department said they were called to a mobile home Tuesday afternoon when neighbors said they found three toddlers inside alone while their parents were at the courthouse getting married.

Investigators said Kymberly Frederick and Daniel Richards went to get married without arranging for care for their three youngest children.

"They left a 1-, 2- and I believe 3-year-old home alone without any adult supervision while they went to get married," Casselberry Police Department Sgt. Jim Goodman said.

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The police report indicated the couple called a neighbor after they left and asked her to look out for two elementary-age children who would be coming home from school.

When the neighbor asked where the three youngest children were, Daniel Richards allegedly told her the kids were by themselves and sleeping.

Video: Cops: Couple left kids home alone to get hitched (on this page)

"If they were gone for five minutes and a child woke up, there are so many hazards in the home that could hurt or even kill a child," Goodman said.

It's unclear exactly how long the couple were gone. Police estimated it was a little over an hour.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said the couple struggle financially but are doing their best.

The two oldest children are 6 and 8 years old.

The law does not specify how old a child has to be to be home alone. Each case is handled individually.

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The couple spoke briefly to investigators.

"They indicated post-Miranda they knew they shouldn't have left the children home alone," Goodman said.

Both are accused of neglect not causing great harm.

According to Seminole County Child Protection Services, all five of the children were placed in foster care.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48943342/ns/local_news-orlando_fl/

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