Tow Truck Driver Arrested
A Florida man, identified by police as 34‑year‑old Sergio Suarez, was arrested and charged with child neglect after authorities said he towed a car that still had a 4‑year-old girl inside it on Sunday in Sunrise, Florida. Police say the girl fell out of the vehicle onto a roadway but was not seriously hurt.
What Happened Outside the Restaurant
According to the arrest report, the girl’s father parked his car outside the Bistro Creole restaurant on West Oakland Park Boulevard and went inside for a brief period. While he was inside, Suarez hooked the car up to his tow truck and began to drive away. The father ran outside and banged on the tow truck window, telling the driver that his daughter was still inside the vehicle.
Child Falls Out of Towed Vehicle
Court records say the father chased the tow truck as it pulled away, still yelling that his daughter was in the car. The report states he then observed his daughter fall out of the vehicle onto the roadway and immediately ran into traffic to pick her up and move her to safety. Officials said the girl suffered superficial injuries to her arms and right calf and was taken to a hospital for further treatment.
Arrest and Charges
Suarez returned to the scene with the vehicle after police contacted his employer, All‑Ways Towing. When Suarez arrived, officers took him into custody and charged him with child neglect without great bodily harm, a felony under Florida law. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
Court and Defense Statements
In court, Broward County Judge Corey Friedman noted that Suarez allegedly towed the vehicle without checking whether anyone was inside. The arrest report says Suarez told responding officers that he had not checked the vehicle prior to towing and that he continued driving after the father banged on his window because he feared the father might become aggressive. Suarez’s attorney told the court that Suarez claimed he checked the vehicle for occupants three times before towing and that a partner was also present as a spotter, but court documents indicate that video and witness accounts contradict that assertion.
Condition of the Child
Police said the child was evaluated at a hospital and, according to the father, was doing well after treatment for minor injuries.
