Adarius Taylor arrest, explained: Ex-NFL player left 6-year-old son in car during prostitution attempt, per police

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David Suggs
Adarius Taylor arrest, explained: Ex-NFL player left 6-year-old son in car during prostitution attempt, per police image

Adarius Taylor, a seven-year veteran who spent time with three different NFL franchises, was arrested in Florida last week and charged with two offenses, including negligent child abuse.

Taylor played for the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns during his NFL career. He was also signed to the practice roster for the Calgary Stampeders in 2023 in the CFL. The Panthers drafted Taylor in 2014, and he returned to the team in 2020, which ended up being his last stop in the NFL.

Here's the latest on Taylor's arrest.

Adarius Taylor arrest, explained

Taylor was arrested on May 8 after allegedly responding to a fake internet ad promising escort services in exchange for cash.

According to TMZ, Taylor, was charged with two crimes — one count of negligent child abuse without bodily harm and one count of soliciting another for prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

Authorities say Taylor left his six-year old child in the car before making contact with an undercover officer in what appeared to be a hotel room. Video of the incident reportedly showed Taylor speaking with the officer about sex before leaving the area.

Shortly after police apprehended Taylor, they discovered his son in the car.

"This guy here," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, "obviously he must have hit one too many people as a linebacker because his brain cells are scrambled. He shouldn't have shown up in the first place, but to leave that child? My goodness."

"So he picked up a child neglect charge along with everything else."

Taylor was released from jail on Sunday after posting bail, set at $6,000. He'll head to court on June 10, the date of his arraignment.

Who is Adarius Taylor?

Taylor spent seven years in the NFL, offering his services to the Panthers, Buccaneers and Browns. He played sparingly across his time in the bigs, tallying 140 tackles (93 solo), two sacks and three forced fumbles across 88 appearances.

A Bartow, Florida native, Taylor — born Adarius Glanton — played college ball at Eastern Arizona Community College before transferring to Florida Atlantic in 2012. In 2013, he earned All-Conference USA honorable mention honors after tallying 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

Adarius Taylor mugshot

Here's a look at Taylor's mugshot.