institutional access

You are connecting from
Lake Geneva Public Library,
please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.

Published loading...Updated

Parents Accused of Leaving Baby in Car While Inside a Bar

PALM COAST, FLORIDA, JUL 18 – The couple left their infant in an unlocked running car outside a bar while drinking, facing felony child neglect charges, authorities said.

  • On July 18, Flagler County Sheriff's deputies arrived around 10 p.m. at Smiles at Palm Harbor Village Way, found an infant alone in a running, unlocked car, and arrested Norman E. Finnegan Jr. and Clarisse Finnegan on child neglect charges, said Sheriff Rick Staly.
  • Clarisse Finnegan told deputies she only entered the bar to get money for baby necessities at CVS because she believed smoking was allowed inside the bar, while authorities noted conflicting accounts and witnesses confirmed both were drinking.
  • After a tip shortly after 10 p.m., deputies arrived to find the car unlocked with its engine and air conditioning running, and the unharmed infant sleeping in an improperly secured seat.
  • After their booking shortly after midnight Saturday, a co-worker was contacted to care for the infant, and the Florida Department of Children and Families began an investigation.
  • The couple have unresolved legal and financial issues: Clarisse owes $3,700 to a friend and Norman defaulted on a $7,100 bank loan, and they secured release on bond.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?

25 Articles

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 77% of the sources are Center
77% Center

Factuality 

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

FlaglerLive broke the news in on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

You have read 1 out of your 5 free daily articles.