"Caretaking" dad arrested after toddler, baby found alone at playground (Brandon, Florida)

Dad ROBIN JULIAN BALLINGER is another one of those "caretaking" dads who thinks that snoozing all afternoon is perfectly compatable with the care of an 8-month-old infant and 3-year-old girl. Seems the 3-year-old girl felt otherwise, as she managed to drag the baby down 3 flights of stairs to the apartment complex playground. They were found there over 3 hours later in temperatures over 84 degrees. The baby had to be hospitalized. Dad has been charged with child neglect.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: No mention of the mother. Was Daddy babysitting while Mom was at work? Did he have visitation, custody? Not clarified here.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/brandon-dad-arrested-after-toddler-baby-found-alone-at-playground/1093379

Brandon dad arrested after toddler, baby found alone at playground
Times Staff
Posted: May 07, 2010 02:22 PM

BRANDON — A father's afternoon nap left his 8-month-old and 3-year-old daughters in danger and sent him to jail, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Robin Julian Ballinger, 20, fell asleep Thursday afternoon while caring for his two daughters, according to an arrest report said. His daughters were found 3 1/2 hours later at the apartment complex playground with temperatures outside exceeding 84 degrees, the report said. The 8‑month‑old girl was transported to Brandon Hospital.

According to the report, the two girls had to descend three flights of stairs to get to the playground.

Ballinger of Brandon is charged with child neglect and remains in the Orient Road Jail on $7,500 bond.