Texas
Texas parents arrested after leaving 6-month-old baby alone on Florida beach, sheriff says
Two Texas parents were arrested and face child neglect charges after authorities said they left their 6-month-old baby unattended on a Florida beach for nearly an hour while they walked away with their other children.
The incident took place on Oct. 10 in Miramar Beach, a census-designated area located just east of Destin in the Florida Panhandle.
Around noon that Friday, deputies responded to 4000 Sandestin Boulevard following reports of an unattended infant on the beach. When deputies arrived, witnesses confirmed the child had been left alone for nearly an hour beneath a tent while the parents walked down the beach with three other children, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday in a Facebook post detailing the arrest.
Good Samaritans immediately began caring for the child and called law enforcement, authorities said.
“We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.
While deputies waited for South Walton Fire District personnel to arrive and assess the infant, the parents returned to the scene, where both admitted to placing the child under the tent for a nap before leaving with their other children, claiming they lost track of time, WCSO said.
Video showed Houston parents left baby alone for nearly an hour
Security footage obtained during the investigation confirmed the family was away for nearly an hour and did not bring their cellphone with them.
South Walton Fire personnel evaluated the infant and confirmed the child’s vitals were normal and they were not in distress. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified and responded immediately to the scene.
Both parents, Brian Wilks, 40, and Sara Wilks, 37, of Houston, Texas, were arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. DCF took custody of the children pending the arrival of family members traveling from Texas. They both bonded out the following on Saturday, Oct. 11, on a $1,000 bond each.
“This incident serves as a reminder that even brief moments of inattention can have serious consequences and can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes,” the sheriff’s office said.
See wild rescue of trapped roller coaster riders
Eight people were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster stalled at Galveston Pleasure Pier, leaving riders stuck near the summit for hours.
While Texas Roadhouse is known for its signature steaks and rolls, the restaurant has changed its menu over the years.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993 and has become known for favorites like its warm, freshly baked rolls served with honey cinnamon butter and its hand-cut steaks. While many signature items remain, some fan-favorite menu offerings have since been discontinued.
Recently, Tasting Table, which features recipes and news for food enthusiasts, looked back at some discontinued Texas Roadhouse menu items that some may remember fondly.
Here are some of the discontinued menu items at Texas Roadhouse.
Floor peanuts
While some Texas Roadhouse locations may still provide peanuts by request, the practice of throwing the shells on the floor ended with the pandemic, according to Tasting Table.
Users on Yelp also discussed whether peanut shells could be tossed on the floor.
“They still offer peanuts is sealed bags upon request. Just ask for peanuts and they’ll keep on bringing them,” one user said.
Baked beans
While the restaurant offers several side options, such as green beans, mashed potatoes, and seasoned corn, Texas Roadhouse no longer carries baked beans — which are common at steakhouses.
“Always enjoyed Texas Roadhouse but Broke my heart when they took those delicious baked beans off the menu,” a reddit user posted back in 2023, while searching for a recipe.
Original Chicken Critters
While there are Chicken Critters — chicken tenders that are golden-fried and lightly crispy — on the menu today, fans say the original recipe has changed.
Apparently, the tenders were crispier and lighter, according to Reddit users.
“My husband and I talk about the OG chicken critters all the time,” one Reddit user posted.
Sierra Chicken Pasta
The only pasta dish served at Texas Roadhouse has gone viral on TikTok, with many recreating it with their own recipes.
The Sierra Chicken Pasta was made with penne pasta, pieces of crispy bacon, and grilled chicken, all of which were tossed in an Asiago cheese sauce, according to The Takeout.
It doesn’t appear that Texas Roadhouse offers any type of pasta, according to its menu.
Oven-roasted half chicken
The discontinued item came in two styles — plain or barbecue — according to Tasting Table.
The restaurant still offers several chicken options, though, like smothered chicken (served with wide, made-from-scratch gravy) and grilled BBQ chicken.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
The overseas death of a U.S. Army soldier from Central Texas is under investigation, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, of the Waco suburb of Robinson, died Sunday in a “training‑related incident” at Erbil Airbase in Iraq, officials said.
According to the department, Seibel was an active‑duty soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign launched in June 2014 to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Seibel was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Fort Carson, Colo.
The department didn’t release any additional information.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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