Tanya Perez Faces Charges for Leaving Children Alone at Florida Welcome Center
In March 2023, Tanya Perez, a woman from Ohio, took a trip to Florida with her three children, ages 9, 10, and 12. What seemed like a routine family journey quickly turned into a child abuse case when Perez decided to leave her children alone at a Florida welcome center.
On March 22, Perez contacted her sister to inform her that she was heading to Florida, but her sister became concerned when Perez suggested she would leave the children unsupervised. Fearing for their safety, the sister called authorities to request a wellness check. When a deputy arrived at the welcome center, Perez told him she would remain with her children, but this turned out to be a lie.
After the deputy left, 911 received a call reporting that three children were left alone in the welcome center lobby with their bags. The children were identified as Perez’s. An employee at the welcome center recalled that Perez had asked if she could leave her children for a few minutes, assuring them she would return shortly. However, the children were left without money for food or a way to contact their mother.
Feeling concerned for the children’s well-being, the employee contacted the sheriff’s office. “Nobody came for the kids. These little kids by themselves had suitcases. It was insane,” the employee said.
Authorities reached out to the children’s biological father, who confirmed that Perez had full custody and was unaware that she had moved with the children to Ohio. Following the incident, an arrest warrant was issued for Perez, and she was apprehended days later.
Safety analyst Tom Hackney expressed grave concern about the location, noting the welcome center’s reputation as a known hub for human trafficking. “It’s one thing to abandon your kids, but it’s another thing to abandon them where they may become victims of something else,” Hackney said.
Perez was arrested and booked into the Nassau County jail on charges of child abuse. Her bond was set at $300,000.
