Orlando Father Arrested After Autistic Child Found Naked on I-4

UPDATE: An Orlando father, Jeremy Jaron Rouse, has been arrested on child abuse charges after his autistic child was discovered alone and naked on an I-4 ramp late on October 16, 2023. The shocking incident unfolded while Rouse was delivering food for Uber Eats, prioritizing his delivery ratings over his child’s safety.

Authorities responded around 11 p.m. when reports of an unattended child on the interstate emerged. Officers from Altamonte Springs spotted the child running naked down the ramp. A concerned passerby intervened, grabbing the child and placing him safely in a patrol car. Initial assessments indicate the child is nonverbal and likely autistic, heightening the urgency of the situation.

Court records reveal that Rouse, 36, initially failed to search for his missing child because he feared a negative impact on his Uber Eats rating. The child’s mother, who had been delivering food with Rouse, fell asleep in the passenger seat around 9:30 p.m.. Upon waking at around 11:30 p.m., she discovered her child was missing. Rouse told her he assumed the child was still asleep in the car.

The mother later drove to a nearby Walgreens after confirming with police that the child found was indeed hers. Officers reported spending nearly an hour with the child before she arrived. It remains unclear how the child exited the vehicle, with police noting discrepancies in the mother’s statements.

Rouse was located at a Wawa around 3:30 a.m. on October 17, where he voluntarily spoke with police. He admitted he continued to make deliveries after realizing the child was missing, expressing concern over his Uber rating. Rouse reportedly stated he did not accompany the mother to retrieve the child due to fears of arrest.

He has since been charged with child abuse without great bodily harm and has pleaded not guilty. Following his arrest, he has been released on bond. Police have also recommended that the mother face similar charges, including perjury.

This alarming case raises critical questions about parental responsibility and the safety of vulnerable children. The community is left reeling as more details about this incident are expected to emerge. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and the actions of both parents during this harrowing episode.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.