Healthcare Executive,Husband Charged for Leaving 6-Month-Old Baby Alone on Beach

A Texas healthcare executive and her husband face child neglect charges after allegedly leaving their six-month-old daughter unattended at Florida’s Miramar Beach for nearly an hour last Friday. Sara Sommers Wilks, 37, regional president of US Heart and Vascular, and her husband Brian Wilks, 40, reportedly left their infant daughter asleep alone in a tent while they walked along the shore with their three older children.

The incident unfolded around noon on October 10 when a good Samaritan found the baby unattended under the beach tent and immediately called authorities. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly, and South Walton Fire District personnel checked the infant, confirming the baby’s vital signs were normal with no signs of distress.

According to sheriff officials, the couple claimed to have “lost track of time” during their walk, which lasted between 50 minutes and an hour—time deemed unreasonable for leaving a young infant alone. The Wilkses left their cell phones with the child, which made them unreachable during the period. The parents had no knowledge of the unfolding situation until they returned to the scene.

Sheriff Michael Adkinson expressed thanks to the vigilant beachgoer who raised the alarm and praised those who cared for the infant with kindness and concern. In the meantime, the Florida Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of the six-month-old and her three siblings until relatives could arrive from Texas.

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Both Sara and Brian Wilks were charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony under Florida law. They were released on a $1,000 bond the following day. The case has sparked discussion about parental responsibility and child safety, especially concerning leaving young children unattended in public spaces.

Sara Sommers Wilks, noted for being on a prestigious “40 Under 40” list earlier this year, has a prominent reputation in cardiovascular healthcare leadership. This incident, however, stands in stark contrast with her professional image.

The Wilks family was on vacation at Miramar Beach when the event occurred. Authorities continue to investigate the case, which serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of leaving infants unsupervised even briefly in unfamiliar environments.

This story highlights the importance of vigilance and quick action to protect vulnerable children in public spaces. The community’s response helped ensure the baby’s safety and timely intervention by law enforcement and child welfare agencies.