Monroe County deputies say a Florida influencer child neglect case unfolded after the influencer and her husband left two young children alone in a Key Largo hotel room, authorities reported. Deputies responded to the Reefhouse Resort & Marina after resort staff entered a guest room because an unattended baby had been crying, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies found the children in nursery beds and reported no serious injuries.
What happened at the Reefhouse Resort
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the Reefhouse Resort & Marina in Key Largo at about 1:45 p.m. on Saturday after employees reported they entered a room where an infant was crying unattended.
Deputies say they found two young children alone in nursery beds inside the room. Resort staff subsequently located the parents at the property’s pool area, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators reviewed security camera footage and witness statements as part of the response. Authorities said those sources indicated the children were left alone for roughly 40 to 60 minutes while the parents were at the pool.
Charges and booking details
Delray Beach residents Allison Sirica Cannella, 40, and Brian Nicholas Cannella, 43, were each charged with two felony counts of child neglect, according to Monroe County jail records and the sheriff’s office.
Both were arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail. Court filings show their first scheduled appearance is Sept. 1. Criminal charges are allegations; the defendants are entitled to due process in court.
Florida influencer child neglect: what investigators say
Investigators cited security footage and witness statements from resort employees when describing the timeline. Deputies said those sources indicated the children were unattended for an extended period while the parents were at the pool.
Resort employees told deputies they found the Cannellas at the pool and reported seeing them drinking alcoholic beverages, the sheriff’s office said. Those accounts were presented by investigators as part of the case but are not findings by a court.
Child welfare response and current custody
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified after deputies located the children, agency and sheriff’s office officials said.
Authorities reported the children were released into the temporary custody of a family friend until child welfare officials arrived. Deputies said neither child suffered serious injuries.
DCF will handle any child welfare assessments and decisions about temporary placement, services or longer-term custody as appropriate under state law. Those administrative and court processes are separate from the criminal case and can proceed on their own timetable.
Background on the influencer’s public profile
The arrest contrasts with Allison Cannella’s public profile, which is presented online as focused on real estate investing, home renovation and social media. Her online links include Exhale Vacation Rentals and an online storefront tied to renovation and design products, the reporting noted.
The original report referenced an employer biography that credits Cannella with years of real estate and legal experience and involvement in high-value transactions. Those employer-bio claims are taken from an online profile and are not independently verified in the sheriff’s statement or in court records cited by investigators.
What comes next
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1. If the case proceeds, prosecutors will present evidence and a judge or jury will determine guilt or innocence.
Separate child welfare proceedings overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families may include assessments, temporary placement decisions and referrals to services. Outcomes of those administrative matters are not the same as criminal outcomes and may continue after the criminal case is resolved.
Key takeaways
– Deputies say two young children were found alone in a Key Largo hotel room; deputies reported no serious injuries.
– Allison Sirica Cannella and Brian Nicholas Cannella were each charged with two felony counts of child neglect and booked into the Monroe County Jail.
– Investigators cited security footage and witness statements as part of the case; those are allegations at this stage and have not been proven in court.
Custody update
The sheriff’s office reported the children were placed temporarily with a family friend pending arrival of Florida DCF officials. Further custody decisions will be made by DCF and, if required, in family court.
FAQ
What charges do the Cannellas face?
Authorities charged Allison Sirica Cannella and Brian Nicholas Cannella with two felony counts of child neglect each, according to Monroe County jail records and the sheriff’s office.
Were the children harmed?
Deputies said neither child suffered serious injuries. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and the children were released to a family friend until child welfare officials arrived.
When is the first court appearance?
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1, per court filings and the sheriff’s office.
Source attribution: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Florida Department of Children and Families; original reporting summarized from the Fox News report at https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-influencer-husband-charged-deputies-left-young-children-alone-drinking
