Inset pictures, from left: Brian Nicholas Cannella and Allison Sirica Cannella (Monroe County Sheriff’s Office). Background image: Reefhouse Resort & Marina located in Key Largo, Florida, which is allegedly where the couple left their “young children” unsupervised (Google Maps).
Authorities in Florida apprehended a couple accused of leaving their small children alone in a hotel room while they indulged at the pool during Fourth of July celebrations. The arrest cast a shadow over their holiday festivities as the nation marked its 250th anniversary of independence.
Both Brian Nicholas Cannella, 43, and Allison Sirica Cannella, 40, are facing charges of child neglect, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office based in the Florida Keys. The charges were announced in a Facebook post.
Responding around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Reefhouse Resort & Marina in Key Largo. The staff reported entering a room due to hearing a baby crying unattended. Police have not specified the ages of the children, only mentioning they were “young” and found alone in “nursery beds/cribs.”
Staff at the resort said they “eventually” found the Cannellas drinking alcoholic beverages at the pool, according to police.
Using surveillance video, witness statements and other investigative techniques, deputies were able to determine the couple had left the kids on their own for between 40 minutes and an hour.
Deputies notified the Department of Children and Family Services who came to the hotel and placed the children in the care of a family friend. They were not injured other than the apparent distress of being left alone, deputies said.
The suspects were arrested and taken to the Monroe County Jail, where they have since bonded out. It’s unclear when they are next slated to appear in court. A probable cause arrest affidavit was not immediately available.