ft. WHITE, Fla. (WFLA) – Four people have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after police discovered an “abuse home” in Fort. white.
The Florida Department of Children and Families first became involved with the Griffs family after one of the children brought Taser, who works in a church camp, and mandatory reporters at their local church, Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, to other concerns about child abuse.
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A mandatory reporter told investigators there was concern that children who were adopted and raised by a family are treated differently from the family’s biological children. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said Brian and Jill Griffs had five biological children and four adopted children. All nine children were then taken out of custody.
Court records show the mandatory reporter told investigators that families recruit or raise primarily African-American children, and that they are treated more like workers than families.
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When DCF went to the house to talk to the kids, they discovered that some of them were unable to provide their birthdays or full names, the CCSO said. Investigators also pointed out that biological children were playing and watching television during the visit while their adopted children were doing chores.
One of the children, a 14-year-old boy, revealed to investigators that he was caged in his bunk bed as punishment. He also said that his mother Jill would push him down and force him to lie down under the plywood while leaving pieces and scars on the boy’s chest.
The CCSO said multiple forms of abuse were revealed through research and interviews with children. This involves children being sprayed with vinegar, given unprescribed medication, beaten with canes, locked up in the bedroom, told about what happens at home, and being said to be appropriate for schools that are suitable for reading and writing. Court records show that several children appear to have limited literacy skills and have not been to school for many years.
Parents Jill and Brian Grifez, as well as two adult children, Liberty and Darrin, were arrested on July 22 and charged with aggravated child abuse. Jill Grifess was charged with three counts, while others were charged with one count.
All four were booked at the Columbia County Detention Center on $500,000 bonds.
