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Woman accused of child neglect

Police say the woman told a bartender she had left her 16-month-old at home without supervision.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published July 26, 2006

LARGO - A Pinellas Park woman was arrested Thursday night and charged with child neglect after telling a bartender she had left her toddler home alone, authorities said.

Just after 10 p.m., Katina Diana Masserlli, 33, went to Bogart's Tavern in Largo. After being there for about two hours, she began telling a bartender that she had left her 16-month-old son at home without supervision, according to reports.

The bartender, who was not identified Friday, called the Largo police.

"The bartender advised that the female was actually bragging about the situation," Largo police Sgt. Ed Sohoski said.

Law enforcement officials picked Masserlli up at the bar, at 6585 126th Ave., just before midnight. Masserlli told the officers her son was being supervised by a neighbor, according to reports.

But once at her home at 12474 66th St. in Pinellas Park, officials said, they peered in a window and saw the baby sleeping in his playpen, and there was no one else in the home.

The child was removed by Child Protective Services, and Masserlli was arrested and taken to county jail. She was being held there Friday in lieu of $20,000 bail.

[Last modified July 25, 2006, 22:37:30]