Mother Charged After Allegedly Leaving Four Young Children Home Alone for Carnival Cruise

Mother Charged After Leaving Four Kids Alone for Cruise

A South Florida mother is facing four counts of child neglect after authorities say she left her four young children home alone while she took a three night Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. Nathalie Belizaire, 29, of North Miami Beach, was arrested Monday after returning to PortMiami aboard the Carnival Conquest, according to an arrest affidavit. Police say she had left the children at her apartment while she traveled on the cruise, which departed from Miami on Friday.

Police Receive Welfare Call

The investigation began after the father of Belizaire’s 2 month old child became concerned about the children’s whereabouts. According to the arrest affidavit, he saw a social media post indicating that Belizaire was on a Carnival cruise.

The father told investigators that Belizaire had previously said she planned to leave the children with their great grandmother. However, when he went to the apartment Saturday night, he said he could hear the children inside and could see that the television was on.

He contacted authorities after becoming concerned that the children were alone.

Children Found Inside Apartment

When first responders entered the apartment, officers found all four children inside without adult supervision, according to police. The children reportedly included a 2 month old infant and a 2 year old. The ages of the other two children have not been publicly disclosed.

Police said the children were found together hiding in a bathroom.

The children’s great grandmother reportedly told investigators that Belizaire had said she would bring the children to her, but never did. Belizaire’s brother also told police that she sent him a message asking him to check on the children.

Mother Arrested After Cruise

Authorities were waiting for Belizaire when the Carnival Conquest returned to PortMiami. She was taken into custody after leaving the ship and was subsequently turned over to North Miami Beach police, according to authorities. Belizaire declined to provide a statement to investigators, according to the arrest documents.

She is facing four counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. The allegations remain accusations, and the charges have not been proven in court. Florida’s Department of Children and Families is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the children being left without adult supervision. The case remains under investigation as authorities determine what happened before and during the children’s time alone.