While She Took Bahamas Cruise

What began with a father noticing something unusual online ended with police forcing their way into a Florida apartment and discovering four young children allegedly left without adult supervision.

Nathalie Belizaire, 29, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 28, after returning to Miami from a three-day Bahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest. She faces four counts of felony child neglect, according to a North Miami Beach Police Department arrest affidavit.

Among the children were a 2-month-old infant and a 2-year-old.

A cruise post raised the first questions

The investigation began after the infant’s father noticed what appeared to be a cruise ticket purchase on Belizaire’s WhatsApp story on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Police said he contacted Belizaire about her plans and was told that the children would be staying with their great-grandmother while she was away.

Two days later, however, he went to Belizaire’s apartment.

The television appeared to be on, and he could hear the children talking from inside. Concerned by what he was hearing, the father contacted 911.

Police officers and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived at the property and forced their way inside.

They found all four children together in the bathroom, including the 2-month-old baby and the 2-year-old, according to the affidavit.

Great-grandmother gives investigators a different account

The explanation authorities received from the children’s great-grandmother raised further questions.

She told investigators that Belizaire had said she intended to drop the children off with her before leaving — but that never happened.

Belizaire’s brother also spoke with investigators. He reportedly said his sister had contacted him on Saturday evening and asked him to check on the children.

Authorities attempted to reach Belizaire directly but were unsuccessful.

Investigators then turned their attention to her expected return to Florida.

Police wait for her return at PortMiami

Detectives from the North Miami Beach Police Department and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office went to PortMiami on Monday, where Belizaire was expected to disembark from the cruise.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers took her into custody before she was transferred to North Miami Beach police.

Authorities alleged that by failing to arrange necessary care and supervision, Belizaire exposed the four children to a substantial risk of harm.

She was subsequently charged with four felony counts of child neglect.

Children placed in foster care

Belizaire appeared in bond court on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Her bond was set at $10,000, and the court ordered her to have no contact with the children. The four children were reported safe and have been placed in foster care.

Belizaire has not entered a plea. Her attorney has said she denies the allegations.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24.

The case remains pending, and the allegations against Belizaire have not been proven in court.