Maureen Elizabeth O’Neill, Santa Rosa Beach Mom Arrested After 5-Year-Old Son Found Wandering Roadway Alone While She Was on 4-Hour Target Run [PHOTOS]

Authorities in Walton County, Florida have arrested Maureen Elizabeth O’Neill, 37, after her 5-year-old son was discovered wandering alone along a roadway while she was away shopping at Target — nearly 40 miles away in Panama City.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Thursday night after receiving reports of a young child walking unsupervised near Santa Rosa Beach. Attempts to reach the child’s mother were unsuccessful for hours.

Investigators later learned that O’Neill had texted a neighbor, claiming her 5-year-old had become violent, allegedly threatening her with a knife.

In one message cited by Law & Crime, O’Neill wrote:

“He chased me around with a knife and said he was going to chop me into pieces. Every time I turned around, he was holding a knife. I don’t know who he is.”

In another text, she continued:

“I told him to stay inside while I got help protecting myself… He kept grabbing a knife and saying scary things about chopping me up. I don’t know who that is but it’s not the same kid — something’s wrong with him.”

When questioned by deputies, O’Neill admitted she had left her son unattended for nearly four hours while running errands and shopping for a new phone. She claimed she believed a neighbor would look after the child, but detectives determined no such arrangement had been made.

Investigators said the boy was left home alone around 5:40 p.m., and O’Neill did not return until approximately 9:40 p.m.

O’Neill was arrested and charged with child neglect before being booked into the Walton County Jail. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified, and the child was temporarily placed in a neighbor’s care before being released to his grandparents.

In a statement, Sheriff Michael Adkinson commended the community for acting quickly:

“This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and supervision of our children. We are grateful for the concerned citizen who acted quickly to ensure this child’s well-being.”

Authorities did not immediately comment on the whereabouts or involvement of the child’s father.