April 5, 2016
On April 4, 2016 at approximately 4 pm Deputy Shelby Kilian
was flagged down by a citizen at the Bronson Laundromat. The citizen told
Deputy Kilian she found a screaming infant locked inside a vehicle with the
windows rolled up, parked in a parking space in front of the Laundromat. The
citizen was unable to immediately locate a parent nearby.
Deputy Kilian located the owner of the vehicle, identified
as Nelson Santo Perez (12-13-84) who was inside the Laundromat with three other
small children. Deputy Kilian ordered Perez to open the locked vehicle and to
remove the infant. Deputy Kilian reported Perez appeared to be unconcerned and was
prompted numerous times to react faster to unlock and remove the baby from the
hot vehicle parked in direct sunlight. Deputy Kilian found the infant was
drenched in sweat and her breathing was labored. Perez stood by as Deputy
Kilian undressed the child in efforts to cool her. Perez’s main concern was he
would be fined by Deputy Kilian. EMS responded and recommended transporting the
baby to the hospital for further treatment. Perez initially refused to allow
the baby to be transported.
Ultimately Perez agreed to allow EMS to transport the baby
to Shands at UF to be evaluated. Doctors recommended the child be kept
overnight for observation. The Department of Children and Family Services
responded and have opened their own investigation.
LCSO Investigators were able to retrieve the video
surveillance footage from the Laundromat and determined Perez entered the
Laundromat with three small children and was inside for approximately 20
minutes before Deputy Kilian arrived.
Perez was located at his home later this same evening and Deputies
arrested him for felony neglect of a child. Perez is being held at the Levy
County Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $100,000.00.
The infant is expected to make a full recovery.
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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
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