On May 23, 2025, Chipley Police Department officers responded to a call at the Cricket Wireless parking lot after a passerby reported hearing a baby crying inside a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 5-month-old infant left unattended in a dark-colored vehicle, parked in direct sunlight with outside temperatures exceeding 90 degrees. The vehicle was not running, lacked ventilation, and the infant was covered with blankets and clothing, posing a serious risk to the child’s well-being.
The mother, Alexis Keyontaye Johnson, was working inside a nearby business, leaving the child alone for approximately 30 minutes at the time of the officers arrival. Officers removed the child from the vehicle, and EMS was contacted to evaluate and treat the child. Officers then relocated the child to an air-conditioned police vehicle, where they remained until the child was released into the custody of a family member. Contact was also made with a Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigator.
When confronted with her arrest, Johnson began to physically resist the arresting officers. She faces the following charges:
– Felony Child Neglect Without Great Bodily Harm (Florida Statute 827.03.2D)
– Neglect: Unattended Child in a Motor Vehicle Exceeding 15 Minutes (Florida Statute 316.6135.1A)
– Misdemeanor Resisting an Officer Without Violence (Florida Statute 843.02)
The Chipley Police Department emphasizes the importance of never leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in extreme heat, as it can lead to life-threatening situations. We commend the passerby for their quick action, which helped prevent a tragedy.
