Baker County mom accused of child neglect was in Wendy’s taking orders when children were found in hot car: deputies

BAKER COUNTY, Fla.

Report on Child Neglect Incident in Macclenny

Introduction

On Friday, a child neglect incident occurred outside a Wendy’s restaurant in Macclenny, Florida. Tiffany Dillman, a 26-year-old mother, was arrested and charged with four counts of child neglect after leaving her four children unattended in a hot car for at least 20 minutes.

Incident Details

The incident took place at a Wendy’s restaurant on S. 6th Street at around 3 p.m. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting children left unattended in a hot SUV.

Upon arrival, deputies found the vehicle parked in an area receiving direct sunlight. Despite the windows being rolled down, the children, aged 2, 4, 6, and 7, were covered in sweat and had red faces. The outdoor temperature at the time was 97 degrees with a heat index of 108.

Furthermore, the SUV did not have a working air conditioner. The children were escorted into the restaurant to cool off while Dillman was taken into custody. Dillman claimed she went inside the restaurant to assist the busy Wendy’s employees by taking customers’ orders.

Witness Testimonies

• One Wendy’s employee stated that Dillman works at the restaurant.

• Another employee described Dillman as a good mother and claimed to have never seen her leave her children unattended in a vehicle.

Response and Investigation

News4JAX attempted to contact Dillman for her side of the story, but she declined to comment.

This incident occurred shortly after the tragic death of 10-month-old Ariya Paige, who was left in a hot SUV by her babysitter. The two incidents happened within close proximity to each other, raising concerns about child safety in hot vehicles.

The four children involved in the incident were released into the custody of Dillman’s wife. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has initiated an investigation into the matter.

Public Reaction

• Livia Ruise expressed concern and urged parents to bring their children into air-conditioned places like Wendy’s instead of leaving them in hot cars.

• Roxanne Lloyd questioned the reasoning behind leaving a child in a hot car, especially during a particularly hot summer.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This incident highlights the importance of addressing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is crucial for achieving these goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
   • Indicator: Number of child deaths per 1,000 live births

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
   • Indicator: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
   • Indicator: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
   • Indicator: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • Indicator: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation

Analysis

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article highlights child neglect and endangerment, which directly relates to the well-being of children. Leaving children unattended in a hot car can lead to heat-related illnesses and even death. This issue is addressed by SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.

   The specific target under SDG 3 that can be identified is Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. Leaving children unattended in a hot car puts them at risk of preventable deaths due to heat-related illnesses.

   The article mentions that the children were covered in sweat and their faces were red, indicating the potential harm caused by the hot car. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths among children.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The article indirectly relates to SDG 4, which focuses on quality education. While the article does not explicitly discuss education, it highlights the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development.

   The specific target under SDG 4 that can be identified is Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. This target emphasizes the importance of education in equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions.

   Although the article does not mention specific indicators related to this target, it raises awareness about the need for education and the role it plays in promoting sustainable development.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The article does not directly address gender equality, but it indirectly highlights the issue of unpaid care work, which is often disproportionately performed by women.

   The specific target under SDG 5 that can be identified is Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate. This target aims to address gender inequalities by recognizing and valuing unpaid care work.

   The article does not mention specific indicators related to this target, but it raises awareness about the unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities and the need for shared responsibility within households.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article indirectly relates to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities. It highlights the potential disparities in income and socioeconomic status that may contribute to child neglect and endangerment.

   The specific target under SDG 10 that can be identified is Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. This target aims to promote social inclusion and reduce inequalities based on various factors.

   The article does not mention specific indicators related to this target, but it raises awareness about the potential socioeconomic factors that may contribute to child neglect and endangerment.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   The article indirectly relates to SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. It highlights the issue of child abuse and neglect, which is a violation of children’s rights.

   The specific target under SDG 16 that can be identified is Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. This target aims to protect children from abuse and violence.

   The article does not mention specific indicators related to this target, but it raises awareness about the need to end child abuse and neglect.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators