Two Florida babysitters were arrested after abducting two toddlers, stealing their mother’s car, and abandoning the children in a public park in Wisconsin, approximately 1,000 miles away.
Florida babysitters, 22-year-old Marquan L. Edwards and 18-year-old Adalyn Jean Burkett (Photo: Law and Crime)
Florida Babysitters Abduct Toddlers, Steal Car
The Florida babysitters, identified as 18-year-old Adalyn Jean Burkett and 22-year-old Marquan L. Edwards, were taken into custody on Monday and charged with the alleged abduction, Law and Crime reported.
On June 24, 2023, the troubled mother contacted local authorities to report that one of the Florida babysitters named Burkett, who she believed was a trusted friend, had taken her 1-year-old and 2-year-old children out of state without her knowledge or consent.
The mother said she had spent the previous night with one of the Florida babysitters named Burkett, during which they agreed that Burkett would babysit the children the following night. The mother had even permitted the babysitter to use her car. They both agreed that it would be returned the following morning, June 24.
When the mother attempted to contact Burkett, she discovered that the Florida babysitters and her children had vanished from Bay County, leaving Florida altogether.
The investigation revealed that Burkett was accompanied by Edwards, and they had embarked on a dangerous journey from Panama City, Florida, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The approximate 16-hour drive took them 1,000 miles away from their home state.
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Florida Babysitters Arrested
The BCSO Criminal Investigations Unit launched an extensive search for the missing children.
In response to the escalating developments, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) issued a Missing Child Alert on June 25, appealing to the public for assistance in locating the two missing children. The alert garnered widespread attention through various media outlets, heightening the urgency to locate the toddlers.
Upon becoming aware of the Missing Child Alert, the Florida babysitters apparently sought to distance themselves from the ongoing investigation and potential arrest by abandoning the defenseless children in a public park in Milwaukee. The heart-wrenching act left the two toddlers alone and vulnerable in a major metropolitan area.
Fortunately, Milwaukee police discovered the abandoned children later that evening and promptly transported them to the local police station, ensuring their safety.
Following an exhaustive investigation, U.S. Marshals successfully apprehended the Florida babysitters at a residence in Milwaukee on June 26. Local authorities in Milwaukee were also conducting their own investigation into the actions of Burkett and Edwards.
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