Edgewater, Florida — A 26-year-old mother is facing child abuse charges after police say her 6-month-old daughter was left alone inside a running vehicle for several hours while she cleaned a nearby client’s home.
Kristina Vitucci was taken into custody after a passerby noticed the vehicle running in a driveway for an extended period and discovered the infant alone inside. Police said the baby was visibly uncomfortable despite the vehicle’s air conditioning being turned on.
Vitucci was charged with child abuse and violation of probation, according to the Edgewater Police Department.
Passerby Discovers Infant Alone in Car
Police were called to a local residence after a concerned citizen noticed that a vehicle had been running in the driveway for several hours.
The person approached the vehicle and discovered an infant alone inside, prompting an immediate 911 call.
When first responders arrived, they found the 6-month-old still inside the running car. Although the air conditioning was operating, officers said it was not adequately keeping the interior comfortable. Police said the baby did not appear to have suffered physical injuries but was “visibly uncomfortable.”
A probable cause affidavit described the infant as being “in distress crying and covered by a blanket” when officers reached the scene.
Mother Says She Checked on Baby Every 45 Minutes
Body camera footage released by police shows an officer questioning Vitucci about why her daughter had been left inside the vehicle. Vitucci reportedly told officers that she had been cleaning a client’s nearby home for several hours.
She said she had been checking on the infant “every 45 minutes” and had been inside the home for approximately three hours when police arrived.
The woman who lived at the residence confirmed to investigators that Vitucci had gone outside “a couple of times.” However, she told authorities that she did not know there was a child inside the vehicle.
Police said the infant remained in the running car throughout the time Vitucci was working inside the home.
Police Say She Was Focused on Her Cellphone
During the investigation, officers also made an observation that became part of the police department’s account of the incident. Authorities said Vitucci appeared to be more concerned about finding her cellphone than about the situation involving her daughter.
The police department stated:
“During the investigation and subsequent arrest, officers also noted Vitucci appeared significantly more concerned with locating her cellular phone than with the circumstances involving her child or the seriousness of the situation,”
The statement was included in the department’s description of the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
Police Say This Was Not the First Incident
Authorities say the current case was not the first time Vitucci had allegedly left a child inside a vehicle.
According to the Edgewater Police Department, Vitucci was arrested in February 2025 after police accused her of leaving a child inside a vehicle while she was at a local bar consuming alcohol.
She was subsequently placed on probation in that case. Police said the latest incident could therefore constitute a violation of the terms of her probation. Investigators also learned of another incident involving Vitucci and a vehicle.
The homeowner reportedly told authorities that when Vitucci cleaned her home approximately a month earlier, she also left her parked car running. Vitucci allegedly explained at the time that she wanted to keep the vehicle running so the battery would not die.
Police Warn About Leaving Children in Vehicles
Edgewater police emphasized the potential dangers associated with leaving young children unattended inside vehicles, even when the vehicle is running and the air conditioning is operating.
The department said:
“Leaving an infant unattended inside a vehicle for hours is dangerous, irresponsible, and completely unacceptable,” police said in a statement. “Vehicles can quickly become dangerous environments for children, even when left running, and mechanical or air-conditioning failures can occur without warning.”
The warning comes as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the infant’s extended time inside the vehicle.
Although the child did not appear to suffer physical injuries, officers said the infant was visibly distressed when they arrived.
Mother Remains in Jail Without Bond
Vitucci is currently being held in the Volusia County Jail without bond. She is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on Oct. 13. The allegations remain part of an ongoing criminal case, and the charges against Vitucci have not been adjudicated in court.
For investigators, the case highlights the dangers of leaving an infant unattended in a vehicle for an extended period, even when the engine and air conditioning remain on.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think parents should face serious consequences when children are left unattended in vehicles for extended periods? Share your reaction in the comments below.
