WALTON COUNTY, FLA — Two parents from Texas were arrested after leaving their six-month-old infant unattended on a beach in Miramar Beach for nearly an hour, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around noon on Friday, October 10, 2025, in the 4000 block of Sandestin Boulevard. Deputies responded to the area following reports of an infant left alone beneath a tent. Witnesses told authorities the child had been unattended while the parents walked down the beach with three other children.
Good Samaritans remained with the infant and contacted law enforcement. Deputies arrived and waited for South Walton Fire District medics to assess the child. The parents later returned and admitted they had left the infant under the tent for a nap and lost track of time. They did not bring their phone with them.
Security footage confirmed the parents had been gone for nearly an hour. The infant was evaluated and found to be in stable condition. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and responded to the scene.
The parents, identified as Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37, of Houston, Texas, were arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. They were booked and released the following day after posting a $1,000 bond. DCF took custody of the children pending arrival of relatives from Texas.
