By Staff Writers
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have taken Caitlin Ann Maloney, aged 37, into custody following accusations that she overturned her daughter’s stroller while under the influence, resulting in a head injury to the child.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, Maloney embarked on a walk with her 10-month-old daughter around 9 p.m. on June 16. Reports suggest Maloney had consumed alcohol prior to and during a dinner at their destination. On the return journey, she appeared unsteady and off-balance. As they neared their apartment building, Maloney allegedly lost her footing, causing the stroller to topple over and her daughter to sustain a head injury.
An eyewitness, identified as a neighbor, witnessed the incident and rushed to assist both Maloney and her daughter. The neighbor provided a video to the authorities, capturing Maloney’s struggle to maintain her balance and the moment she inadvertently tipped the stroller while trying to steady herself. Fortunately, those nearby quickly righted the stroller before any vehicles approached the scene.
Another neighbor reportedly assisted Maloney back to her apartment on the third floor. Carrying the child, the helpful neighbor instead took them to the first neighbor’s residence, where they could clean the child and provide water and dry clothing. At this point, Maloney, visibly upset, demanded the return of her child. However, the neighbor, concerned about Maloney’s apparent intoxication, refused to comply.
The second neighbor reportedly told the officer she could smell alcohol on Maloney’s breath and Maloney was unsteady on her feet and had slurred speech. She said she could not in good conscience return the child to Maloney while she was in that state.
Post Miranda, Maloney reportedly admitted that she had been drinking alcohol before and during dinner. She said she fell while going down the stairs in front of the apartment building, in spite of the video that showed her falling on a level concrete sidewalk in front of the complex. Maloney also reportedly said that the child’s head injury happened in her apartment, but she did not say how it happened.
The officer noted that Maloney smelled like alcohol, her eyes were glossy, and she was having a hard time focusing on his questions. She reportedly had trouble remembering certain events and repeated herself.
The child reportedly had a swollen bruise on her forehead and was transported to a local hospital.
Maloney has been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. She has no local criminal history, and she has been released from the jail.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.