A Florida mother is facing child neglect charges after a search of her home revealed alarming conditions, including a loaded gun within reach of children and dangerous levels of unsanitary conditions. The discovery came after deputies responded to a call involving her 16-year-old son, who had allegedly pointed a firearm at people in a car. This prompted law enforcement to obtain a search warrant for the home, owned by 37-year-old Amanda Gaisford, who is the primary caregiver for four children, ranging from 7 to 16 years old.
Upon entering the home, deputies found a loaded gun placed atop a stack of Disney DVDs in the living room. The firearm was situated in an area easily accessible to the youngest children, aged 7 and 9. Among the DVDs were popular titles like The Lion King, The Polar Express, and Harry Potter. The placement of the gun in such an easily reachable spot raised immediate concerns about the safety of the children living there.
The search also uncovered a number of other troubling findings. In one of the children’s bedrooms, deputies discovered marijuana paraphernalia, including baggies and pipes, along with three bullets found under a blanket on the bed. In addition, a Smith & Wesson gun magazine with 11 bullets was discovered buried in a clothes hamper. This collection of dangerous items raised alarms about the potential hazards the children were exposed to within their own home.
Further investigation revealed a series of unsanitary living conditions throughout the house. Deputies noted that the residence had no running water, and the toilets were clogged with feces and urine. The home was infested with roaches, fleas, and other insects, creating an environment that could cause physical harm to the children. The infestation and lack of proper hygiene were described as resulting from hoarding conditions, trash accumulation, and perishable food left throughout the house. These unsanitary conditions contributed to the overall dangerous environment in which the children were forced to live.
In addition to the unsanitary environment, deputies found bags of narcotics residue, including both cocaine and marijuana, scattered across various rooms of the house, including the garage and the bedroom. Drug paraphernalia and prescription medications were also found throughout the residence, further demonstrating the hazardous environment. The home was so foul-smelling that deputies could detect the stench from outside the house, which they described as a strong, rancid odor reminiscent of spoiled food, urine, and fecal matter.
In an interview with detectives, Gaisford explained that she and the children had been using restrooms at a nearby park, which provided some explanation for the lack of working plumbing in the home. However, this explanation did little to mitigate the severity of the living conditions found within the residence. Gaisford was arrested and charged with four counts of child neglect. She remains in custody at the Flagler County Jail with a $10,000 bond. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of the three younger children, while the 16-year-old boy was arrested for his earlier actions involving the firearm.
Sheriff Rick Staly of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office commented on the situation, condemning the living conditions and emphasizing the risk to the children. He expressed relief that law enforcement had intervened before any serious harm could come to the children, particularly in relation to the loaded firearm that was left within easy reach. Sheriff Staly also highlighted the importance of protecting children from environments that could lead to physical harm, illness, or exposure to dangerous substances.
The case underscores the dangers of neglect and the potential consequences of leaving firearms and other hazardous items in places where children can easily access them. It also highlights the significance of maintaining safe and sanitary living conditions, particularly for vulnerable individuals like children. The arrest of Gaisford serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that children grow up in environments that promote their safety, well-being, and health. The investigation is ongoing, and further details may emerge as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case.
