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Police: Tampa Woman Left Kids In Van For Days
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Published: February 12, 2009
A 35-year-old Tampa woman is accused of leaving her three boys to live in a van and fend for themselves while she went out of state for a wedding.
Hillsborough County deputies arrested Frances Vivian Garcia on Wednesday following the incident, which occurred in November. Charges were filed directly to the state attorney's office, and that led to this week's formal charge.
Garcia was charged with one count of child neglect.
She had been evicted from her home in October, but details weren't available today about where she and the children were living in November when the incident occurred, said Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.
A friend allowed Garcia to store items in a van in the Brandon area until Garcia could find a new home. After Garcia was gone for more than 24 hours, the friend walked by the van and noticed the three children inside.
"They had no food so the friend reported it," Carter said.
The children were 10, 13 and 16 at the time. They were turned over to the custody of their father, who doesn't live with Garcia.
Deputies aren't releasing Garcia's friend's name.
A report doesn't say where the wedding was held.
Garcia remained in Orient Road Jail today. Her bail was set at $2,000.
Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.
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