A 29-year-old South Florida mother accused of leaving her four young children, including a 2-month-old infant, without adult supervision for several days while she went on a cruise has been released from jail on bond.
Nathalie Beliezaire was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday after appearing in Miami-Dade bond court earlier in the day. She faces four counts of child neglect in connection with the allegations.
According to the arrest report, Beliezaire was expected to take the children to their grandmother’s home before leaving for the cruise. Investigators allege that the children instead remained at the family’s apartment while she was away.
The case came to police attention after the father of the 2-month-old contacted 911. Officers who responded to the home reportedly found all four siblings inside without an adult present. Police said the children were together and were found hiding in a bathroom when officers entered the residence.
Investigators also reported that the infant’s father had seen a WhatsApp post that appeared to show a Carnival cruise ticket purchase. He told police he had initially understood that someone would be supervising the children while Beliezaire was away, but later became concerned after realizing there was apparently no one caring for them.
The allegations drew strong criticism from Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer during Tuesday’s hearing. The judge questioned how the children could have been left alone for several days, particularly given the age of the youngest child.
Beliezaire’s public defender told the court that she denied the allegations and emphasized that the accusations had not been proven.
The judge ultimately set bond at $2,500 on each of the four counts. As part of the conditions of release, Beliezaire was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the children. She was also ordered not to possess firearms, weapons or ammunition.
Beliezaire was arrested after returning from the cruise. She left the jail Tuesday night after posting bond.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is expected to investigate the circumstances involving the children. The criminal case remains pending, and the allegations against Beliezaire have not been established as proven facts in court.
