Orlando Father Arrested After Autistic Child Found Naked on I-4

UPDATE: An Orlando father, Jeremy Jaron Rouse, has been arrested on a child abuse charge after his autistic child was discovered alone and naked on an I-4 ramp late on October 16, 2023. This shocking incident raises urgent questions about child safety and parental responsibility during delivery services.

Police were alerted around 11 p.m. when bystanders reported seeing a young child running naked down the I-4 on-ramp near State Road 436. Officers arrived to find the child in distress, prompting immediate action from a nearby passerby who rescued the child and placed them in a patrol car. The child, who is nonverbal and believed to be autistic, was identified after the police received a matching report about a missing child.

According to the arrest report, Rouse, 36, was delivering food for Uber Eats with the child’s mother when the incident occurred. The mother fell asleep at approximately 9:30 p.m. and woke up around 11:30 p.m. to find the child missing. Rouse admitted to authorities that he chose to complete his deliveries instead of searching for his child because he was concerned about his Uber Eats rating.

The mother later drove alone to Walgreens, where police had taken the child, after confirming their whereabouts with a dispatcher. During this time, Rouse reportedly refused to accompany her, fearing he would be blamed for the situation.

Officers interviewed Rouse around 3:30 a.m. on October 17, where he expressed a preference to be arrested at a later time if it came to that. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge of child abuse without great bodily harm and has been released on bond.

Authorities are now considering similar charges against the mother, including perjury, following discrepancies in her statements to police. This case highlights serious concerns about parental oversight and the responsibilities that come with child care during work obligations.

As this story develops, officials are urging parents to prioritize child safety above all else. The community is left reeling, asking how such a situation could unfold in plain sight.

Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation evolves.