Polk County Man Left Child Behind During Police Arrest: Cops

HAINES CITY, FL — When two Polk County men were arrested on drug charges earlier this week, one of the men allegedly tried to get away, leaving a young child behind, according to the Haines City Police Department.

Daryn Wiggins and Anthony Steward, both 31, were arrested at their home in the 1100 block of Avenue C on Monday around 3:30 p.m. not far from a school, according to the Haines City Police Department. Wiggins allegedly left the child when he was confronted by police.

"For drugs to be sold near a school and in the presence of a child, who he tried to abandon when officers arrived, is unconscionable," explained Chief Jim Elensky of the Haines City Police Department. "I'm not sure if more time behind bars is what our suspects need, but that's what they're going to get."

Police said Wiggins was quickly apprehended when he tried to flee. The child was placed into the custody of the mother. Police did not disclose Wiggins' relationship with the child.

Wiggins and Steward both were charged with trafficking ecstasy of more than 10 grams, possession of marijuana of more than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to sell Xanax within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of a structure for trafficking.

In addition to the drug offenses, Wiggins was also charged with child neglect, resisting arrest without violence and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Haines City police said they recovered 975 grams of marijuana, 14.2 grams of ecstasy,3.4 grams of Xanax, two loaded handguns, ammunition, plastic bags, a heat sealer, multiple cellphones, a digital scale and more than $4,600 in cash at the home.

The residence is less than 400 feet from Haines City Headstart, a prekindergarten school, according to police.

"Hopefully, this brings peace of mind to our families and educators in the area," Elensky said of the arrests.