Seffner, Fla. (970 WFLA)- On March 15, at 4:29 p.m. near the 4600 block of Clewis Ave. in Seffner, two children (one white male and one white female) both under the age of five, were observed walking on Clewis Avenue. A witness observed the two children on Clewis Ave., not wearing underwear or pants, with no adult supervision present.
Their mother, 34 year old April Lopez, was found back at their residence in her bed, passed out asleep. Deputies called the defendant by her name to wake her up, but Lopez would not wake up.
Deputies then yelled for her to wake up and, after numerous times of yelling and flashing a light in her face, she woke up.
Deputies gave Lopez a lawful command to get out of bed, however, she shook her head "no." Lopez was forced out of bed and deputies immediately smelled alcohol emitting off of her breath. Lopez' eyes were glassy, watery, and heavy and she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance. Lopez was unable to gain focus during the interview and she could not stand still.
During the Post-Miranda interview, the defendant admitted to drinking alcohol on March 14, and smoking marijuana days prior. Lopez also admitted to falling asleep while her children were in the residence with her.
During a court-authorized search warrant of the residence, deputies located a multicolored glass pipe next to the bed where Lopez was sleeping. The burnt leafy substance inside tested positive for marijuana.
Lopez was arrested and charged with Felony Child Neglect (x2), Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Photo Credit: Hillsborough Sheriff's Office