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.
