News and Investigations

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Davenport woman Wednesday evening, December 1, 2021, after she had lost track of two children in her care, due to her impairment.

27-year old Samantha DiCastro was charged with Negligent Child Abuse (2-counts, F3), Resisting without Violence (M1), Disorderly Intoxication (M2), and cited for a county ordinance against Possessing an Open Container of Alcohol in Public.

“This situation is scary enough, but realize that this occurred along a very busy highway. We are thankful that these children weren’t injured or worse.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Deputies were dispatched to the WaWa store at 43582 US 27 in unincorporated Davenport, after an 8-year old child was left unattended.

An employee of the store reported that DiCastro appeared intoxicated and was accompanied by two children. The employee said DiCastro was stumbling, slurring her speech, and had a bottle of Bicardi tucked into her waistband.

When employees refused to sell cigarettes to DiCastro, she exited the store, but left behind the 8-year old child.

Deputies found DiCastro as she was walking away from the store while carrying a 2-year old child. During interaction with deputies, DiCastro set the child on the ground. A short time later, she began looking around for the 2-year old, who was still right where she placed the child.

DiCastro was repeatedly told that she was not free to leave during the investigation, but she eventually began walking away. At that point, DiCastro was arrested.

DiCastro was transported to the Polk County Jail, and the children were turned over to their parent.