VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A mother who claimed her child was kidnapped at the recent Floatopia event in Virginia Beach is behind bars after the child was later found on the beach overheated, dehydrated and covered in sand.
Shelby Ross Oliver was arrested Sunday and charged with gross, wanton or reckless care for child and child abuse neglect, serious injury.
According to police, Oliver approached an officer on the beach during the packed, unsanctioned event in the Chic’s Beach area and said that her child was kidnapped.
However, officers found the child overheated and dehydrated, covered in sand, with eyes rolled in the back of their head. There are no details on the child’s condition or age at this time.
Oliver was denied bond and has refused an interview with 10 On Your Side.
Floatopia, which ballooned into a much larger event in 2019 than in years past, was heavily criticized after party-goers left an estimated 10 tons of trash on the beach. The local Ocean Park Civic League is set to meet Thursday at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad facility to discuss what should be done about the event going forward.