A Lakeland woman, 36-year-old Tiffany Shanta Simmons, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, December 17, 2024, after leaving four young children unattended in an idling vehicle while she drank alcohol inside a Winter Haven lounge.
At approximately 9:19 p.m., deputies responded to a call from an employee at the Apple Lounge & Grill, located at 2803 Recker Highway. The employee reported that the children—ranging from 10 months to 8 years old—were found alone in an idling vehicle in the parking lot.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies contacted Simmons inside the lounge, where she appeared intoxicated, belligerent, and uncooperative. She physically resisted arrest and kicked a deputy during the process.
According to the investigation, Simmons had initially arrived at the lounge with a young boy. When told that minors were not allowed inside, she reportedly took the child outside to wait with his father. However, she returned to the lounge alone about 15 minutes later, ordered food, drank vodka, and danced.
The lounge staff became concerned and, upon checking the parking lot, found the unattended children in the vehicle, prompting them to call authorities.
Sheriff Grady Judd condemned Simmons’ actions, stating, “Tiffany Simmons has a history of bad decisions, and this one is the latest. She left these four beautiful children, alone… in an idling vehicle, parked in a dimly lit parking lot, and outside of a lounge. All the while, she’s inside drinking vodka.”
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified, and the children were placed in the care of biological family members.
Simmons was arrested and charged with four counts of negligent child abuse (third-degree felony), battery on a law enforcement officer (third-degree felony), two counts of resisting with violence (third-degree felony), two counts of resisting without violence (first-degree misdemeanor), and three counts of leaving children unattended in a motor vehicle (second-degree misdemeanor). She was also cited for leaving a vehicle idling with keys in the ignition.
Simmons has a criminal history that includes vehicle theft, burglary, retail theft, prostitution, drug possession, and numerous other offenses. The investigation is ongoing.
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