Collier County parents facing child neglect charges after car fire reveals unsafe living conditions

A car fire outside a home in Collier County leads to a couple’s arrest for child neglect. Flames got close to the house, and when first responders rushed inside to rescue a two-year-old, they had difficulty reaching the child because of all the junk.

Collier County deputies who went into the home say they found two loaded guns; a rifle was found by the door and a pistol right on the dresser. Both loaded and at just arms reach of the kids. If that didn’t raise enough red flags, one of the kids said they hadn’t been fed all day, and their mother gave them white pills to go to sleep at night.

“I do find that there is probable cause, and I’m going to set her bond at $5,000,” said a judge during the couple’s court appearance.

The irony is impossible to miss. The kids in this home are safer because of a car fire. “Fire was actually shooting up to the roof and stuff and parts of the car blowing up. The whole car was just blowing up pieces. It was wild,” said neighbor Brandon Febles.

Firefighters went to the house to get everyone out just in case the flames spread but the inside of Dominick and Alycia Lento’s house presented several safety risks, including broken furniture, food containers, bugs and guns.

“From his front yard, you can just tell that they’re not any better inside, if not worse,” said Febles.

“It was always a mess that part I remember. I guess maybe how it looks outside the house it’s a good indicator of how it looks inside,” said neighbor Kenneth Schmalvach.

Both parents were arrested. DCF took the kids. “Children were truly neglected, and that stuff like that just happens it’s really sad. Sounds like they don’t deserve to be parents,” Schmalvach said.

“As a parent, you never want that. Whatever they have going on, that’s their business, but the kids don’t deserve that,” said Febles.

Both parents are facing child neglect charges.