Springfield couple arrested facing child neglect charges

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – On Tuesday, a Springfield couple was arrested following child neglect.

At around 8 a.m., a Bayway Transit driver discovered a 2-year-old boy walking alone near East 3rd Street and Bob Little Road, authorities said. Under the ‘Safe Place’ protocol, employees took the boy to the Panama City Police Department, according to authorities.

Springfield Police Department said passengers reported seeing another child alone. Bayway workers found a 4-year-old girl in the same area about an hour later. At about 9:45 a.m., officers located the home where the children lived, authorities wrote in a news release.

Authorities said they made contact with 27-year-old Nicole Marie Smith and 31-year-old Douglas James Bickelman.

Springfield Police Department said the unsanitary conditions of the residence raised significant concern and multiple safety hazards were observed. According to a release, a search warrant was obtained and a thorough search of the home was conducted.

Police said both children were okay and in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

As a result of the investigation, Smith and Bickelman were arrested and both charged with child neglect. Both individuals were transported to the Bay County Jail to await their first appearances.

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