Lake City, FL – Tripura Merriex, an 18-year-old woman from Florida, is facing felony child neglect charges after allegedly leaving her 2-year-old daughter locked inside a hot car while she enjoyed the new “Smurfs” movie at a local theater.
At the time, the heat index reached 107°F, making the situation extremely dangerous for the child, police say.
The Incident at the Regal Cinema
According to local authorities, Merriex arrived at the Regal Cinema 90 in Lake City with her daughter, brother, and sister. After her daughter began crying during the movie, Merriex claimed the child was disturbing the other moviegoers. She reportedly took the child to the lobby to calm her down but then allegedly left the girl alone in the car.
Merriex parked her 2002 Cadillac Escalade and left her daughter inside while she went back into the theater to finish the movie. Witnesses called 911 when they saw the child left in the vehicle, prompting police officers to break the driver’s side window to rescue the distressed toddler.
The Child’s Condition and Merriex’s Response
When officers reached the child, they found her crying, sweating profusely, and flushed red from the heat. She was visibly distressed after being left alone in the vehicle for at least 30 minutes, according to the arrest report.
Merriex, when confronted, showed a nonchalant attitude about the situation, claiming she had accidentally locked her daughter inside the car and acted as though it wasn’t a big deal, police said.
Merriex’s Actions During the Movie
Merriex reportedly left her daughter in the car after multiple instances of the child crying and causing a disturbance. She told police that she had gone out to the car several times during the movie, with her siblings eventually alternating to check on the girl.
Regal Cinema employees informed investigators that Merriex appeared frustrated by her daughter’s crying and seemed uninterested in the child’s well-being.
Family Struggles and Lack of Patience
Merriex’s husband later told investigators that she had a history of making irrational decisions regarding their daughter’s crying and struggled with patience when it came to parenting. He explained that Merriex often had negative reactions to the stress of parenting.
Police and Public Outcry
Police officers responded swiftly to ensure the child’s safety. Chief of Police Gerald Butler condemned the incident, emphasizing that leaving a child unattended in such extreme conditions was unacceptable.
“Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle under these conditions is unacceptable. We are thankful the child is safe and urge all parents to prioritize the well-being of their children at all times,” Butler said in a statement.
Merriex’s Arrest
Merriex was arrested and is currently being held at Columbia County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The charges she faces include felony child neglect, with additional scrutiny regarding her handling of the situation.
