A night meant for fun at Universal CityWalk in Florida took a harrowing turn for a 12-year-old girl, left alone and abandoned by her mother in a crowded bar. The incident unfolded late Saturday night, sparking a swift response from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and raising serious questions about parental responsibility.
Deputies arrived at CW Shoreline Bar around 10:30 p.m., responding to a report of a missing child. What they found was far more disturbing: a young girl, “visibly upset, crying, and sitting alone on a bar stool,” completely unattended in an environment clearly unsuitable for her age.
The circumstances leading to the girl’s abandonment paint a troubling picture. Witnesses reported a minor disagreement at the bar escalated, prompting the mother, 33-year-old Amanda Thorpe, to abruptly leave, seeking solace in another establishment within CityWalk – leaving her daughter behind.
When the girl expressed her exhaustion and desire to return to the hotel, the situation reportedly worsened. Thorpe’s reaction, described in the arrest affidavit, was one of explosive anger, punctuated by a vulgar gesture and harsh words directed at her own child before she stormed off again.
Authorities eventually located Thorpe at the Red Coconut Club, dancing alone and holding an alcoholic beverage. Her initial claim to deputies was a shocking denial of any knowledge of her daughter’s whereabouts, insisting she believed the girl had remained by her side the entire time.
This claim quickly unraveled as Thorpe then asserted her daughter was safely back at the hotel, a statement contradicted by the girl’s presence alone and distressed at the bar. Deputies noted physical signs of intoxication – bloodshot eyes, unsteady balance, and a distinct fruity odor on her breath – further casting doubt on her account.
Thankfully, the girl was eventually reunited with her grandfather, who arrived to take custody of her. The incident has resulted in Thorpe facing charges of child neglect, and she has entered a plea of not guilty.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of irresponsible behavior and the vulnerability of children placed in dangerous situations. The details revealed in the arrest affidavit highlight a deeply unsettling lapse in judgment and a betrayal of trust.
