A Florida sheriff’s deputy, Christopher George Turney, and his wife, Leandra Childers Turney, were arrested and charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The deputy was fired after his arrest. The couple’s son, whose age was not disclosed, reported to a pastor that his father had physically abused him, causing bruising around the eye. The child also claimed he was belittled by his father and showed authorities photographs of his injuries.
The Turneys adopted the child in 2017 but allegedly did not send him to school or provide a formal education. The boy also stated that he was forced to give his father money he earned from mowing lawns. Another child in the family, born in 2019, claimed she was homeschooled for only one to two hours a day and lacked basic necessities like a toothbrush. Her teeth showed signs of decay, and she mentioned not having regular access to a doctor.
Christopher Turney denied the allegations of abuse and stated that his wife was responsible for homeschooling the children. The children were removed from the home and placed under the care of a local child advocacy group. The Turneys were released on bond and are set to be arraigned on August 23.
In 2021, over 3.9 million referrals of child maltreatment and abuse were reported in the U.S., with a majority of perpetrators being parents. This case sheds light on the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in the country, emphasizing the importance of vigilant monitoring and intervention to protect vulnerable children.
