Florida Family Accused of Caging, Abusing Nine Adopted and Biological Children

Four members of a Florida family have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities say they subjected nine children—both biological and adopted—to severe mistreatment, including confinement, physical abuse, and medical neglect.

Brian Griffeth, 47, and Jill Griffeth, 41, along with their adult children, Dallin Griffeth, 21, and Liberty Griffeth, 19, were taken into custody on July 22. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said the charges involve five biological and four adopted children, ranging in age from 7 to 16.

Investigators allege that the children were confined under a bunk bed using plywood barriers and subjected to physical punishment, including being beaten with a cane. Some were reportedly sprayed in the face with vinegar and given nonprescribed medication. Others were denied education, leaving them unable to read or write.

One child told authorities that Jill Griffeth used her body weight to restrain them with plywood. The adopted children were reportedly forced to do household chores while the biological children watched television or played, the sheriff’s office said. Some of the children did not know their own birthdays or full names.

The abuse came to light after a church member—identified as a mandatory reporter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Branford—raised concerns. Authorities were alerted after one of the children was found in possession of a working stun gun at a church camp.

The sheriff’s office emphasized the stark differences in treatment between adopted and biological children in the household.

All four suspects are currently being held at the Columbia County Jail on $500,000 bond each. Liberty Griffeth is being represented by the public defender’s office, which declined to comment. The remaining three defendants are represented by the Office of Criminal Conflict and Regional Counsel, which has not responded to media inquiries.