Authorities in Florida say a man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of leaving their young daughter inside a parked car as they abused illegal narcotics.
According to CNN Newsource, 30-year-old David Dexter and 28-year-old Christan Wilson are accused of allowing the 2-year-old girl to witness them purchase the drugs and later to watch at least one of them get high in the car.
Beyond that exposure, police say the child was also in physical danger based on the condition of the car they discovered parked near the intersection of South Stone Street and West Highland Avenue in DeLand on Tuesday, as reported by Heavy.
“There were drugs inside the vehicle; a needed that was exposed that the child could have stepped on,” police spokesperson Chris Graham stated.
Beyond the alleged presence of drugs and paraphernalia, police reports indicate the car was also infested with roaches and filled with refuse including decaying food and other filth.
Furthermore, responding officers say the temperature inside the car reached 104 degrees and the girl showed obvious signs of previous injuries. She was reportedly wearing a diaper so heavily soiled that it hung past her knees.
In response to questions about an open wound on her neck, police say Dexter blamed the injury on his daughter bumping against a lit cigarette.
Both parents were arrested and were still behind bars with bond set at $5,500 as of the latest reports available. Their daughter was reportedly transferred into the care of another family member.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast: Here is a related episode.
[Featured image: David Dexter and Christan Wilson, DeLand Police Department]
