BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Raton Police arrested a man on Christmas Day who they said left his child unattended in a vehicle while he worked a shift as a golf attendant at The Boca Raton.
Court records show Jimmy Petiote was charged with neglect of a child under Florida Statute 827.03(2)(c). The charge stems from an incident reported Dec. 25 at The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Boca Raton police were called to the resort around 4:40 p.m. after staff reported a child left alone in a vehicle since about noon. A long stretch of the afternoon.
Officers found the child inside an unlocked and running gray 2010 Toyota Camry parked on the fifth floor of the associate parking garage, tucked into the northwest corner. Police also said staff discovered the child around 2:45 p.m. and contacted authorities.
No adult was with the child when officers arrived.
Police then spoke with the child’s father, identified as Petiote, who was nearby. After being read his Miranda rights, Petiote told officers he had trouble finding childcare for the day and was afraid of losing his job, so he kept working while his child remained in the vehicle until a family member could get there.
According to the affidavit, Petiote said the child’s grandfather was expected to pick the child up later.
Officers noted that as the child’s primary caregiver, Petiote failed to provide supervision that a prudent person would consider reasonable for the child’s well-being. Police also documented that when the child was found, the child’s diaper was full and unchanged. No injuries were reported.
Petiote was taken into custody Christmas Day and remained in custody through his first appearance on Dec. 26, court records show.
At that hearing, a judge found probable cause for the charge, set bond at $5,000, and ordered no contact with the victim. Any future contact would be subject to recommendations from the Department of Children and Families, according to the docket.
A Creole interpreter was present during the proceedings, records show.
The case was continued to Jan. 24, 2026, for a 30-day return hearing. An initial case conference is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026.
Court records list Petiote as an employee of The Boca Raton, where his occupation is noted as a golf attendant.
This is sad, Sometimes people need a hand up – not punishment. The charges will only make things harder for this family. Definitely should not have left a child in the car, but I think they need help and resources much more than jail time and fines.
Punishment does nothing to help this family. He showed poor judgement, but he was trying to make a living to support his family.
We punish the poor and weak- much money is made by the court system, the fines, the mandated peograms, and the commissary profits.
The rich get attorneys and don’t pay consequences on horrible crimes. Very sad for all involved here!
Definitely agree the father has a job & is trying to take care of his family. He’s not looking for a free ride. He needs help with childcare as do so many working parents today. Cost for child care is often as much as the person earns, so the need arises for family members to help out if they are available!
Where were the resources for this father and his child?
Why doesn’t this employer offer any form of childcare support?
Why did he feel like he couldn’t speak up or ask for help?
Why do we continue to fail parents in this country?
So many children are left to fend for themselves because we don’t truly prioritize them beyond birth. That is heartbreaking—and disgraceful.
My heart goes out to this father. He did the best he could with what he had. Maybe he had no one he trusted. Maybe no one ever asked how they could help or offered to step in.
This is hospitality with no humanity. No employee should feel forced to choose between providing for their family and protecting their child. I would not support a business where an employee felt pushed to such extremes just to show up for work.
We can—and must—do better.
I agree with everyone on here. The father is trying to do the best he can. At least he left the car running so there was AC. The Boca Raton has enough money that they could offer free child care to those that work there. As someone stated, child care is too expensive for those low income parents, single parents even for teachers. I don’t believe he should lose everything now. So sad to happen in Christmas.