A Florida mother is facing criminal charges after police say she left her young daughter alone in a car outside a gym while she worked out—an incident that authorities claim was not an isolated occurrence.

Iranique Nyesha Martin, 38, has been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm following the incident at a Crunch Fitness location in Sweetwater, near Miami. According to details reported in coverage of the case, the situation came to light when a concerned bystander approached a police officer on patrol and reported seeing a toddler alone inside a parked vehicle.

The child, believed to be around 3 years old, was found sitting in the backseat of a car that was still running. The witness reportedly told officers he had seen the same child alone in the vehicle the previous day—prompting him to take action the second time.

Police located the car in the gym’s parking lot and confirmed the child was indeed inside alone.

Not long after officers arrived, Martin exited the gym and acknowledged that the child was hers. When initially questioned, she reportedly told officers she had only gone inside briefly to use the restroom. However, investigators say that claim did not match what they later discovered.

According to police, surveillance footage showed Martin had been inside the gym for approximately an hour, during which time she exercised and even took a shower.

Officers asked Martin to open the car so they could check on the child. While the toddler was not physically harmed, police noted several concerning conditions. The child was reportedly unrestrained and there was no car seat present, despite her young age.

Authorities emphasized that leaving a child that young unattended—even for a short period—can expose them to serious risks. In this case, officers concluded that the situation created an “unreasonable risk of harm”, which led to the neglect charge.

Martin was taken into custody and booked into the Miami-Dade jail, where her bond was set at $20,000.

Following the arrest, the child was released into the care of her father.

The case has sparked renewed attention on the dangers of leaving children alone in vehicles. Even when temperatures are not extreme, experts warn that unattended children can face risks ranging from heat exposure and medical emergencies to potential abduction or accidental injury.

What makes this case particularly concerning to investigators is the allegation that it may have happened more than once. The reporting witness claimed he observed the same situation the day before, raising questions about whether this was part of a pattern rather than a one-time lapse in judgment.

As the legal process moves forward, Martin will have the opportunity to respond to the charges in court. Like all defendants, she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

For many, the case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly everyday decisions—like running errands or going to the gym—can turn into serious legal matters when a child’s safety is at stake.

Authorities continue to urge caregivers to prioritize supervision at all times, emphasizing that even brief moments can carry significant consequences.