Recent Arrest in Charlotte County Is a Warning for Parents of Autistic Children

Parents of autistic children carry heavy burdens, and it isn’t always easy to care for these disabled individuals. For many parents, this burden does not end when the child becomes an adult. Some cases of autism cause permanent disabilities, and they may become legally responsible for their autistic children even after they turn 18. A recent case in Charlotte County shows that under the wrong circumstances, parents of autistic children could face felony charges for certain mistakes. If you face these charges, consider speaking with a Charlotte County defense lawyer.

Father Faces Felony Charges for Allegedly Locking Autistic Person in Car 

In March of 2025, the father of an autistic adult was arrested on felony charges. The authorities say that he locked the adult inside the vehicle, and that this led to concerned bystanders calling the local police. After arriving, an officer approached the vehicle and tried to communicate with the individual inside. However, this individual was clearly nonverbal – and she was only capable of a few basic sentences. The police report stated that these two sentences were “Mamma” and “Mamma not here.”

The officer noted that the weather outside was mild, and that the rear windows were cracked open. Initially, bystanders assumed that the individual was a child. However, it was later determined that she was 27 years old. Although the female was not in any real danger, her father faced serious charges for locking her in the vehicle.

Police located this man at a nearby business, and it became clear that this was his workplace. The man explained that he had been forced to bring his daughter to work due to issues with the normal caregiver. He also assured the police that he checked on the disabled adult every few hours, bringing her snacks and allowing her to use the restroom.

However, the authorities still arrested the man and charged him with abuse of a disabled adult. This is a third-degree felony in Florida, and it may lead to up to five years in prison. It may also lead to the loss of certain rights.

Witnesses and arresting officers questioned the man’s story. The officer who wrote the report clearly did not think that locking someone inside a vehicle was an “acceptable method of caregiving.” A witness also stated that they only saw the man come to check on his daughter once over the course of many hours.

Can a Charlotte County Defense Lawyer Help Me? 

If you face charges like abuse of a disabled adult in Charlotte County, you should get in touch with a defense attorney as soon as possible. This is a third-degree felony, and a conviction could change your life forever. Even if you were doing your best to care for an autistic adult, a simple mistake could lead to serious consequences. To learn more about potential defense strategies, feel free to contact The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.

Sources:

 mysuncoast.com/2025/03/12/charlotte-county-man-arrested-locking-autistic-adult-child-car/

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html