JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Two parents have been arrested for child endangerment after residents reported they were tubing down the Chipola River with a shivering infant.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says that they were called to the river on Monday about a young couple tubing with a very small child. All the callers expressed concern for the child's safety due to the child's age.
When Sheriff Lou Roberts found the couple, he asked if the couple had an infant with them and they responded no. However, Sheriff Roberts saw the infant laying on the mother underneath a t-shirt.
Deputies say the Sheriff tried to gather information from the couple, but they refused to cooperate.
As the couple arrived at Magnolia Landing, the Florida Wildlife Commission arrived as well as investigators and deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
But again, the couple refused to provide any information to law enforcement.
Due to the fear that the child was in danger, the couple was informed that they would be placed under arrest.
Once they were able to safely pry the child from the father's arm and detain both parents, they discovered that the child was shivering and wrapped in a cold, wet t-shirt with no other clothing on.
Further investigation revealed that the couple had no bottles, dry clothing, towels, sunscreen, diapers, infant flotation device, or means of communication should an emergency have occurred with their 2-month-old child.
They also learned that the couple had the infant on the river for approximately four hours.
The infant was then wrapped in a clean warm towel until Department of Children and Families arrived to take custody of the baby.
The male eventually identified himself as 20-year-old Camrin Welsh, who was the father of the infant child. The female, who was the mother of the child, still refused to cooperate and wouldn't identify herself. She did however tell the Department of Children and Families that her name was Briana Welsh, 20.
The baby did not sustain any injuries and was released to the Department of Children and Families.
Camrin and Briana Welsh were taken into custody and transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility to await first appearance.
