A Texas healthcare executive, recently recognized in a national “40 Under 40” list, has been arrested for child neglect after leaving her six-month-old baby unattended on a beach in Florida. According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of an abandoned baby at Miramar Beach around noon on October 10, 2023.
Witnesses informed authorities that the baby was discovered alone beneath a tent for nearly an hour, while the child’s parents, Sara Sommers Wilks, 37, and Brian Wilks, 40, were seen walking along the shoreline with their three other children. Concerned beachgoers contacted local police, prompting immediate action from law enforcement.
Upon their arrival, deputies found that South Walton Fire District personnel had assessed the baby, who was reported to be in no distress. Shortly thereafter, the Wilks couple returned to the scene, admitting they had placed their child under the tent for a nap and had lost track of time.
Security footage confirmed that the couple had been absent for nearly an hour, during which they left their cell phones with the baby. Both parents were arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, classified as a third-degree felony under Florida law.
Following the incident, the couple was booked into the Walton County Jail and released the next day after posting a bond of $1,000 each. The Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of their four children until relatives from Texas could arrive to care for them.
Sara Sommers Wilks serves as the Regional President for Southeast Texas at US Heart and Vascular, a healthcare group that supports cardiovascular practices across Texas, Alabama, and Arizona. Earlier this year, she was featured in Cardiovascular Business magazine’s “Forty Under 40” list, highlighting her as an influential leader in cardiology administration.
In a statement posted on social media, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to child safety. Sheriff Michael Adkinson expressed gratitude to the beachgoers who intervened. “We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own,” he stated.
The incident has sparked discussions on parental responsibilities and the importance of vigilant supervision, especially in public spaces. Authorities continue to stress the significance of child safety and the community’s role in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
