SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota Police officers say two McDonald's employees stepped up to help as they investigated a case involving child neglect and DUI.
Sarasota Police responded to the McDonald's on Washington Blvd. in Sarasota on Monday around 1:00 a.m.
According to a probable cause affidavit, they found 32-year-old Bret Clark passed out behind the wheel of a white pickup truck after he had crashed into the side of a parked black BMW.
Officers found two children in the backseat and a bottle of whiskey in the passenger seat, according to court records.
"They discovered there was a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old that were in the back of the vehicle," said Officer Rick Greene with the Sarasota Police Department.
The vehicle was still in drive and the keys were still in the ignition, according to court records.
Officer Rick Greene said he responded to assist the two children who complained to officers they were hungry. McDonald's had just closed at the time, but two employees quickly stepped up to help.
"To see people stepping up like that, they were at the end of their shift, they want to go home just like everybody else," said Officer Greene.
Sarasota Police posted the story on Facebook acknowledging the employees and their kindness.
"The two employees stopped what they were doing, started up all the machines and gave the two young girls anything they wanted to eat, allowed them to use the restroom and stuffed their Happy Meals with toys," stated the Facebook post.
"Immediately, you could see the difference in those kids just getting something to eat and drink and being able to play with the toys," said Officer Greene.
The employees would not allow officers to pay for the food.
"That was my intention, to pay for the meals from the beginning. Then they told me they were closed then they made everything. When I tried to pay they wouldn't hear it. They're like 'no absolutely not,'" said Officer Greene.
Clark is facing charges of DUI and child neglect. He has bonded out of jail.
