FORT WHITE, Fla. (TCN) —Â Authorities arrested four family members for allegedly locking children in makeshift cages, beating them, and spraying vinegar in their faces.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after allegations of child abuse from a mandatory reporter at the suspects’ church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Branford. Deputies assisted the Florida Department of Children and Families to perform a court-ordered pickup of nine children between the ages of 7 and 16 at Brian Griffeth and Jill Griffeth’s home. Five of the kids are biological, while four are adopted.
One of the Griffeth’s children allegedly used an electronic stun gun at church camp a few days prior, and “concerns were raised about the adopted children being treated unfairly compared to the Griffeth’s biological children.” The kids reportedly didn’t know their full names or birthdays.
Investigators previously responded to the Griffeths’ home before the pickup order and reportedly saw that the adopted children were performing chores, while the biological kids were playing or watching television. According to the sheriff’s office, there is a 10th foster child who wasn’t there at the time because they were with their biological parent in Arizona. Deputies noted that the Glendale Police Department checked on the foster child, and they are “safe and healthy.”
The Department of Children and Families interviewed the victims and discovered various forms of alleged abuse. The sheriff’s office said Brian Griffeth allegedly beat the adopted children with a cane, and they were locked in their bedrooms. Following the investigation, the court ordered the removal of all nine kids.
The children were interviewed, and they alleged that they were “caged under the bunk bed.” Jill Griffeth allegedly forced the victims to lie on the floor, and she would “place a sheet of plywood on top of the child’s body and press down on them, resulting in splinters and pain.”
The children alleged that they were “sprayed in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment” and “given non-prescribed medication.” The suspects allegedly told the children to lie about what happened in their home. According to the sheriff’s office, the victims also claimed they were not given an adequate education to read or write.
On July 22, authorities arrested Brian Griffeth and Jill Griffeth, as well as two other adults in the home, Dallin Griffeth and Liberty Griffeth, who were also allegedly participating in the abuse. All four suspects face charges of aggravated child abuse and were booked into the Columbia County Detention Center, where they each remain held on $500,000 bond.
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