Mother Arrested After Allegedly Leaving Four Young Children Home Alone to Take Bahamas Cruise

Florida woman accused of abandoning children, including a two-month-old baby, during three-day vacation at sea

A Florida mother was arrested after authorities say she left her four young children, including a two-month-old infant, home alone while she embarked on a three-day cruise to the Bahamas.

Nathalie Belizaire, 29, of North Miami Beach, faces four counts of child neglect following an incident that investigators describe as a shocking abandonment of children ranging in age from just two months to nine years old.

According to police, Belizaire boarded Carnival Conquest on September 25 for a cruise departing from Miami and bound for the Bahamas. Prosecutors allege she left her children behind in the family’s apartment without adult supervision.

The situation came to light after the father of the infant reportedly saw what appeared to be a cruise ticket purchase posted on Belizaire’s WhatsApp status. When he questioned her about the trip, she allegedly told him the children would be staying with their great-grandmother while she was away.

Concerned, the man went to the apartment on the evening of September 26. From outside, he said he could hear children inside and noticed the television was on. Believing no adult was present, he called 911.

Responding officers and emergency personnel entered the residence and found all four children alone, according to investigators. Police said the children were discovered hiding in a bathroom when authorities arrived.

Detectives later learned that the children’s great-grandmother had never received them. She reportedly told investigators that Belizaire had informed her she would be bringing the children over because she needed to travel out of town, but the children never arrived.

Authorities also said Belizaire allegedly contacted her brother during the trip and asked him to check on the children. Investigators were otherwise unable to reach her while she was aboard the cruise ship.

Belizaire was taken into custody on September 28 after returning to PortMiami and disembarking from the vessel. She was then turned over to North Miami Beach police.

During a bond hearing, a judge set bail at $10,000 and ordered Belizaire to have no contact with the children. Officials said the four minors are safe and are currently in the care of child protective services.

Belizaire declined to speak with investigators following her arrest, invoking her right to remain silent. Her attorney has denied the allegations and is contesting the charges.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)