Investigation Underway After Police Discover Neglected Child at Disney World Hotel
A child neglect call brought Orange County Sheriff’s deputies to the Walt Disney World Resort area on Wednesday morning, triggering a law enforcement response at a hotel near Disney Springs.
What Happened
The call came in at approximately 10:14 a.m. on April 22, directing deputies to the Disney Springs Hotel Plaza — a cluster of Good Neighbor Resort hotels near the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Scanner monitoring account @WDWActiveCrime captured the response on X (formerly Twitter) as it unfolded:
🚨 Police Alert 🚓 – 04/22/26 10:14 am
🚨: Child Neglect at 📍: Disney Springs Hotel Plaza
#WaltDisneyWorld #Disney
🚨 Police Alert 🚓 – 04/22/26 10:14 am
🚨: Child Neglect at 📍: Disney Springs Hotel Plaza#WaltDisneyWorld #Disney pic.twitter.com/aqGuov62mk— Walt Disney World: Active Calls (@WDWActiveCrime) April 22, 2026
The exact hotel involved has not been identified. The map coordinates tied to the logged call reflect a general address rather than the specific location where deputies responded. Walt Disney World Resort and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office have both declined to issue public statements on the matter.
Given the involvement of a minor, additional details are unlikely to surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed against the child’s parents or guardians. Privacy protections in cases involving children typically limit what law enforcement can disclose.
What Guests Should Know
The incident did not generate any closures or disruptions across Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs all continued operating normally on Wednesday, with no road closures or attraction impacts reported in connection with the law enforcement response.
Guests who find themselves near any law enforcement activity on Walt Disney World Resort property should follow instructions from both deputies and Disney cast members. The Central Florida Disney destination prioritizes keeping police and security responses from affecting the broader guest experience.
Have you ever witnessed a law enforcement response at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments.
