Introduction to the Case
Four adults were arrested after being accused of abusing nine children in their Florida home by caging them with plywood under a bunk bed and spraying them in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment, authorities said Friday.
The Arrests and Charges
Husband and wife Brian and Jill Griffeth, along with 21-year-old Dallin and 19-year-old Liberty Griffeth, were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Friday.
The Victims and Abuse
The four adults are suspected of abusing five biological and four adopted children — ages 7 to 16 — at their home in Fort White, Florida, roughly 35 miles northwest of Gainesville, the sheriff’s office said.
The suspects are accused of beating the children with a cane, locking them in their bedrooms and giving them nonprescribed medication, according to the sheriff’s office.
Neglect and Lack of Education
The children had also been instructed to lie about what was happening in their home and were not taken to or provided with adequate schooling to read or write, the sheriff’s office said.
All nine of the children have been court-ordered to be removed from the home, authorities added.
Investigation and Discovery
The investigation into the Griffeths began when a mandatory reporter at their local church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Branford, Florida, raised concerns about the children, according to the statement. A “mandatory reporter” is a professional who is legally required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
While at church camp a few days prior to the arrests, one of the children was caught with a functioning electronic stun gun, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office added that investigators believed the adopted children were “being treated unfairly compared to the Griffeth biological children, in addition to the children not knowing their full name or their own birthdays.”
When Department of Children and Families investigators interviewed the family in their home, “it was noted that the adopted children were working on chores, while the biological children were playing or watching TV,” according to the statement.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Bond for all of the adults was set at $500,000 each.
The Griffeths could not be immediately reached for comment. It is not clear if they have obtained legal representation.
Conclusion
The case of the Griffeths is a disturbing example of child abuse and neglect. The fact that the children were caged, beaten, and denied basic education and care is a shocking indictment of the adults responsible. The removal of the children from the home and the arrest of the adults is a necessary step towards ensuring the children’s safety and well-being.
FAQs
Q: How many children were abused in the Griffeth home?
A: Nine children, ages 7 to 16, were abused in the Griffeth home.
Q: What were the adults accused of doing to the children?
A: The adults were accused of beating the children with a cane, locking them in their bedrooms, giving them nonprescribed medication, and caging them with plywood under a bunk bed.
Q: Why were the children removed from the home?
A: The children were removed from the home due to the allegations of abuse and neglect.
Q: What is the current status of the Griffeths?
A: The Griffeths are currently facing charges of aggravated child abuse and have been arrested. Their bond was set at $500,000 each.
