Man Found Passed Out, Accused Of Leaving 2-Year-Old In Care Alone

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — A Jacksonville man faces child neglect charges after being found passed out in a vehicle in Tarpon Springs and leaving a 2-year-old girl in his care at home alone.

Early Sunday morning, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office received a report of a man passed out in a vehicle in the parking lot of a business in the 4900 block of U.S. Alternate 19 later identified as Nicholaus A. Johnson, 39 years old.

Pinellas sheriff's deputies were able to contact the Johnson's girlfriend, who also lives in Jacksonville, who told them that she, Johnson and her 2-year-old daughter had traveled to Tarpon Springs to visit family. The girlfriend returned to Jacksonville Saturday and left her daughter in Johnson's care.

The child was not with Johnson when he was discovered passed out in his vehicle so deputies and Tarpon Springs Police checked the home where he was staying in the 600 block of Pine Street.

They found the child alone at the house. She was in good health. Deputies aren't sure how long she was left on her own.

The mother drove back from Jacksonville to pick up the 2-year-old.

Johnson was charged with felony child neglect and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.