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Disturbing revelations have emerged involving a family of four, who were accused of mistreating and caging nine foster children, with the youngest being a mere seven years old.
In Fort White, Florida, near Gainesville, Brian Griffeth, 47, Jill Griffeth, 41, along with their adult children, Dallin, 21, and Liberty Griffeth, 19, were detained on July 22 in connection with these alleged offenses.
The family faces serious felony charges related to child cruelty, amid accusations of shocking mistreatment within what has been described as a ‘house of horrors’.
The Griffeths were accused of caging the kids in their bunk beds and forcing them into horrific punishments.
As per an arrest report accessed by the Daily Mail, the household comprised several children, including five biological children, a foster child, and multiple adopted children.
In one gruesome encounter, a nine-year-old child said he was confined to his bed behind a piece of plywood every night.
A 14-year-old recounted a similar experience, alleging that at one point, Jill removed plywood and forcefully pressed it against his chest when he requested to be released.
The young teen told police in his interview that he had splinters on his chest and back from the gruesome punishment.
Multiple children recalled similar stories of being caged into their beds at night, and were often not even allowed out to go to the bathroom.
An investigation has been initiated into the reported abuses by the family, affecting several young adopted and foster children. The family’s residence is pictured above.
Jill Griffeth, 41, was arrested and charged with cruelty towards children for allegedly beating and starving multiple children in her care
Brian Gtiffeth, 47, was also charged with cruelty towards children and was accused of sexual assault
The children accused Brian of using a green drill to confine them inside their bed frames.
The seven and nine-year-old kids told police that their parents justified the cage to prevent them from stealing.
Another child told police that he was sprayed with vinegar as punishment for stealing his mother’s phone to play games.
Another 14-year-old was also allegedly sprayed in the face with vinegar, telling police, ‘how the vinegar burned her eyes making her cry herself to sleep’, the arrest report states.
When asked why her parents boarded up her younger brothers at night, she said it was ‘because he hurts the dogs’ and is ‘too rough’.
Authorities were alerted to the alleged abuse in early July by a staff member for a church camp held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as a Mormon church, according to an arrest affidavit.
The staff member reported the family to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), citing concerns of abuse and fears that the children were not getting an education.
She told DCF that the family primarily fosters African American children and believes they are treated as ‘workers, not family members’, according to the arrest report seen by Daily Mail.
Jill initially refused to allow DCF inside their home, but eventually granted them access.
Liberty Ann Griffeth, 19, allegedly participated in the abuse with her biological parents
Dallin Griffeth, 21, was also accused of abusive behavior and a former foster child living in the home accused him of sexual assault
DCF workers found that the children were illiterate and didn’t know basic information like their birthdates.
They also observed that while Dallin and Liberty were watching television or using their phones, the foster children were forced to do chores.
The arrest report indicated that during DCF’s visit, Jill had to correct the children’s answers or look up their personal information on her phone.
When questioned about the taser one child had at church camp, Brian told authorities that it was a toy, which was later proven incorrect.
DCF noted that one child was missing from the home, and when Jill refused to disclose where they were, law enforcement was notified.
Jill eventually confessed that the child was in Glendale, Arizona, with her mother, and police later followed up that they were safe and healthy.
An adult who was previously in the care of the Griffeths, also called DCF, ‘crying in tears, almost hyperventilating, and implying that the family really scares her’, according to the arrest report.
The family lived in a four-bedroom house in a rural town in Florida. The parents and two adult biological children are being held in the county jail, and the children were placed in DCF’s custody. The home is seen from an aerial view
She said she lived with Jill and Brian from when she was 13 to 15 years old and told police that she was sexually assaulted by Dallin in April 2024.
She claimed that Brian had also molested her and believes he is molesting other children in the household.
The arrest report detailed that ‘Brian beats the foster and adopted children with a cane but is careful not to leave a mark’.
The children were placed in the care of DCF, and Brian, Jill, Dallin, and Liberty are being held at the Columbia County Jail.
A third individual living in the home, was also arrested, but the charges against her were dropped.
Jill was given a $1.5 million bond, while the other three have a bond of $500,000. Daily Mail reached out to the family’s representation for comment.
