A Florida mother was arrested this week after leaving her minor son home alone while she spent several weeks vacationing in Las Vegas , Sunshine State law enforcement allege.

Jessica Copeland, 37, stands accused of one count of child neglect , three counts of cruelty to animals , and four counts of confinement of animals without food, Putnam County court records show.

Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office originally responded to a house on Songbird Road in Palatka – a medium-sized city located roughly 45 miles due east of Gainesville – in response to a welfare request, and at first seemed to find everything in order.

An adult allegedly answered the door, offered to find the defendant's teenage son, did so, and then sent the authorities on their way.

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