Overview
- Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37, of Houston were arrested on charges of child neglect without great bodily harm and later released on $1,000 bonds each.
- Deputies responded around noon on Oct. 10 to Miramar Beach near the 4000 block of Sandestin Boulevard after reports of an infant left under a beach tent.
- Bystanders cared for the child until South Walton Fire District personnel evaluated the baby and found normal vitals with no immediate distress.
- The Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of the children pending the arrival of relatives traveling from Texas.
- The parents told deputies they put the baby down for a nap and lost track of time, with officials noting they left without cell phones and saying the act appeared non‑malicious yet criminally negligent.