Jacksonville woman expecting DoorDash delivery finds two abandoned children

DUANEWS | October 20, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville woman expecting a routine DoorDash delivery was stunned when she opened her apartment door and discovered two young children standing outside alone, with no adult in sight.

What initially appeared to be an ordinary food delivery turned into a police investigation that resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old Jacksonville man on two felony child neglect charges.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), the incident occurred on October 9 at an apartment complex.

A Knock at the Door, but No Food Delivery

Investigators say Ezra Tyson, 24, approached an apartment, knocked on the door, and left two young children outside without speaking to anyone inside.

The woman living in the apartment was expecting a DoorDash order and initially believed the knock was from her delivery driver.

However, when she opened the door moments later, she found the two children standing outside unattended.

The woman told investigators she had no idea why the children had been brought to her apartment or how Tyson knew her address.

According to the arrest affidavit, Tyson left without confirming that an adult was present to care for the children.

DoorDash Driver Witnessed Something Suspicious

A DoorDash driver who arrived at the apartment complex reportedly told police that he saw a man running away on foot.

Investigators also reviewed information from the woman’s doorbell camera.

According to the police report, a preview of the recording showed Tyson at the apartment door leaving the children behind.

The circumstances raised serious concerns about the children’s safety and prompted authorities to investigate.

Suspect Arrested Days Later

An arrest warrant was issued for Tyson on October 12.

Six days later, on October 18, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers located him at a business on Norwood Avenue and took him into custody.

According to investigators, Tyson told officers that he had been speaking on the phone when he dropped off the children.

He also claimed that the people at the apartment knew he was bringing the children there.

However, the woman who discovered the children told police that she had not been expecting them.

Two Felony Child Neglect Charges

Tyson now faces two counts of child neglect, both classified as third-degree felonies under Florida law.

His bond was set at $10,003 for each charge.

Court-imposed release conditions prohibit Tyson from having unsupervised contact with minors, contacting the alleged victim, or possessing firearms and other weapons.

He is also required to wear a GPS monitoring device or ankle monitor.

The charges remain allegations, and Tyson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Questions Remain About the Children

The incident has raised questions about why the children were left at the apartment and whether arrangements had been made for their care.

Authorities have not publicly provided a full explanation of the relationship between Tyson, the children, and the apartment resident.

The available report also does not establish whether the children suffered any physical injuries.

The case highlights the potential dangers of leaving young children without adult supervision, even for a short period.

What began as an ordinary evening for a woman waiting for food delivery has now become a criminal case involving two children and allegations of serious neglect.