Bradenton man locks toddler in a car, cops say. He wanted to watch Super Bowl in a bar

A 40-year-old Bradenton man was charged with felony child neglect after he left a toddler inside his car so he could go inside a bar to watch the Super Bowl, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

About midnight Sunday, well after the game was over, deputies responded to a report that a toddler had been left inside a car outside the In Cahoots pub, 5917 Manatee Ave. W.

Deputies saw the toddler inside the vehicle with the windows slightly opened. Temperatures outside Sunday night were in the mid to low 50s and the toddler was wearing a “thin long sleeve hoodie and pajama bottoms standing on the rear seat,” according to the arrest report.

An alcoholic drink made up of Vodka and Coke was in the front center console cup holder directly in front of the toddler, deputies say.

Angel Jimenez left the rear of the bar a short time after deputies arrived holding a pool cue. Deputies say Jimenez claimed that the mother of the child had dropped the toddler off five minutes prior.

However, a witness told deputies Jimenez had been at the bar earlier in the day. Also, the vehicle’s windows were covered in condensation, indicating the child had been inside alone for much longer, according to deputies.

Jimenez claimed that he was waiting for his new girlfriend to finish her drink so they could leave. Deputies say they could not locate anyone inside the bar matching her description.

JJimenez was released from the Manatee County jail after posting a $500 bond.