PANAMA CITY, FL – A 21-year-old woman has been arrested on charges of aggravated child neglect and child neglect after authorities found her one-month-old twin sons suffering from severe malnutrition.
According to Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, deputies responded to a medical emergency at a residence on Blueberry Road in the early hours of September 30, 2025. Upon arrival, they encountered Hailey Nicole Smith holding her unresponsive infant in the front yard. Deputies began administering medical aid until Bay County Fire Rescue arrived and transported the child to a local hospital.
An investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division revealed that both twins were severely malnourished. After initial treatment at a local hospital, the children were transferred to a Gainesville facility for more intensive care. They have since been released and are recovering at a family member’s home.
Investigators consulted with attending physicians and reviewed medical records during the investigation. On October 15, 2025, Hailey Nicole Smith was arrested and booked into the Bay County Jail.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Gainesville Child Advocacy Center for their assistance.
