Just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding the driver and front passenger of a burgundy-colored Ford Escape passed out with two small children in the backseat at Bearss Avenue and I-275.
HCSO deputies and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived on scene and rescued the children from the vehicle. They were uninjured.
The driver, 37 year-old Scott Moreno and passenger, 32 year-old Shikira Ford both had to be administered Narcan by HCFR to be revived. They were transported to a local hospital. Narcotics were found inside the vehicle.
“Not only did these two people put children at risk, but they jeopardized the lives of countless other drivers on the road Sunday afternoon with their careless decisions,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We are very fortunate that this situation did not end with lives lost, and it’s largely due to the quick response of our deputies and the assistance of firefighters.”
An investigation is ongoing, with Moreno facing DUI and Child Neglect charges and Ford facing Child Neglect charges.
The Child Protective Investigations Division was called to assist with the children.