Mother accused of neglect after girl left alone

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 16, 2001

LARGO -- The bus dropped the 8-year-old girl off at home on Tuesday afternoon. But the door to her house was locked and she had no key. Her mother was gone, according to police. It began to rain, so neighbors took her inside and called police.

The girl's mother, Demaris Serrano, 25, was arrested on a charge of child neglect, according to reports. Serrano told officers she had been in Tampa.

The Department of Children and Families has taken the child into custody, according to Officer Thomas Recla. He said a similar incident occurred Feb. 19 in which the child came home to find the door locked.

Largo man is charged with shooting 18-year-old

LARGO -- A Largo man was arrested Wednesday night on charges that he shot another man after the two smoked marijuana together.

Tomislov Protich, 19, of 11049 111th Way N was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, discharging a firearm in public and possession of marijuana, according to arrest reports.

Protich is accused of shooting Jorge L. Delossantos, 18, of 9401 80th Ter. N, Seminole, about 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The shooting occurred outside Protich's residence, according to arrest reports. Sheriff's officials said Delossantos suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to Sun Coast Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove a bullet and was released.

Sheriff's spokesman Cal Dennie said Delossantos and a friend went to Protich's home, where they smoked marijuana. Delossantos then went into Protich's bedroom, took about $1,500 from a drawer and tried to leave, Dennie said. Protich then grabbed a handgun and fired at Delossantos, who had gotten into a car with other people, according to arrest reports.

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