Credit: Aditya Vyas, UnsplashA late-night visit to the entertainment district at Universal CityWalk Orlando took a disturbing turn over the weekend after deputies say a young girl was discovered sitting alone at a bar while her mother was elsewhere in the complex.
As reported by Click Orlando, the situation unfolded Saturday night at the waterfront CW Shoreline Bar, one of several venues that line CityWalk’s lagoon. Employees working behind the counter noticed something unusual: a child seated by herself on a bar stool, crying and clearly upset. Staff members quickly realized no adult appeared to be with her, prompting them to alert security.
When deputies arrived, the 12-year-old told them she had been at the venue with her mother earlier in the evening. According to investigators, the two had been spending time inside CityWalk before an argument broke out. At some point afterward, the girl remained at the bar while her mother left the area.
Deputies began searching the sprawling nightlife district for the woman. Not long after, they located 33-year-old Amanda Thorpe inside the nearby Red Coconut Club. Authorities say she was on the dance floor with a drink in her hand when they approached her.
Investigators claim Thorpe appeared intoxicated and initially told deputies that her daughter was back at their hotel room. That explanation quickly fell apart when officers informed her the child had actually been found alone at the bar where they had previously been together.
Thorpe was taken into custody at the scene and later booked into the Orange County Jail on a charge of child neglect. The girl was eventually released to a family member.
The incident unfolded in one of the most heavily trafficked areas of Universal Orlando Resort. CityWalk acts as the main entrance corridor guests pass through when entering the resort’s theme parks, but it also operates as a standalone destination filled with restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues.
During the day, families heading toward attractions like Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure move through the promenade lined with dining spots and entertainment options. As evening arrives, however, the atmosphere shifts noticeably. Neon lights reflect across the lagoon, live music spills into the walkways, and several venues transform into full nightlife destinations with DJs, cocktails, and dance floors.
Bars like the CW Shoreline Bar often draw visitors looking for a drink while enjoying the view across the water, while clubs like the Red Coconut Club cater to guests staying out late. Because the district blends family-friendly tourism with a nightlife scene, security staff keep a close eye on activity across the property.
In this case, the situation reportedly came to light because employees noticed the girl sitting alone and decided something wasn’t right. Their decision to alert security set off a chain of events that ended with deputies stepping in and an arrest being made.
For a place designed to be a lively gateway to one of Florida’s most popular theme park resorts, the evening served as a reminder that even amid the crowds and music of CityWalk, staff and security are constantly watching for situations where someone may need help.
Have you ever witnessed an event like this while on vacation at the Orlando theme parks? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!