Homeless Minneola woman told officers she was looking for a place to sleep and charge her phone

CLERMONT, Fla. — A Minneola woman who was banned from all Clermont city parks was cited for trespassing after police found her sleeping beneath a stairway at Waterfront Park during an early morning patrol.

According to the Clermont Police Department, an officer patrolling Waterfront Park at approximately 3 a.m. on May 29 spotted a man sleeping on the stage near the Highlander building. As the officer approached, 50-year-old Sonia Sanabria emerged from underneath a nearby set of stairs.

The officer spoke with both individuals, who said they were sleeping at the park. After checking their information, police learned that the man had been reported missing.

Officers also discovered that Sanabria was under an active ban from all Clermont city parks, which remained in effect until June 3.

Sanabria told officers she was homeless and had gone to the park to find a place to sleep and charge her cellphone. She said she knew about the ban but believed it had already expired.

During the investigation, officers found a small broken glass pipe inside a baggie on the ground near where Sanabria had been sitting. When questioned, Sanabria denied ownership of the item and told officers she had found it under the stairs. She said she picked it up because she was curious about what it was.

Police issued Sanabria a notice to appear in court on a trespassing charge. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 23.

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