A notable figure in the Texas healthcare sector, Sara Sommers Wilks, was arrested along with her husband, Brian Wilks, after leaving their six-month-old baby unattended on a beach in Florida. The incident occurred on October 10, 2023, at Miramar Beach, prompting intervention from local authorities.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a call around noon when beachgoers discovered the baby alone beneath a tent. Witnesses reported that the child had been unattended for nearly an hour while the parents walked along the shoreline with their three other children. Concerned individuals contacted local law enforcement after realizing the situation.
Upon arrival, deputies found that the baby was not in distress, as assessed by personnel from the South Walton Fire District. Shortly thereafter, the couple returned to the scene and admitted to placing their child under the tent for a nap. They claimed to have lost track of time and did not realize how long they had been away. Security footage verified their account, showing they had indeed been absent for approximately an hour and had left their cell phones with the baby.
Both Sara and Brian Wilks were charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, classified as a third-degree felony under Florida law. They were taken into custody and later released on a bond of $1,000 each. In the aftermath, the Florida Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of the couple’s four children until relatives from Texas could arrive to collect them.
Sommers Wilks is recognized as the Regional President for Southeast Texas at US Heart and Vascular, a prominent healthcare group focused on cardiovascular practices across multiple states, including Texas, Alabama, and Arizona. Earlier this year, she was featured in Cardiovascular Business magazine’s “Forty Under 40” list, which honors influential leaders in cardiology administration.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on their Facebook page, highlighting their commitment to child safety and expressing gratitude to the beachgoers who intervened. Sheriff Michael Adkinson praised the quick response of those who alerted authorities and cared for the child, stating, “We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own.”
This incident raises significant concerns about child safety and parental responsibility, particularly in public spaces. The case will likely prompt discussions about awareness and vigilance when it comes to the care of young children in similar environments.
