LOCAL NEWS
4 adults accused of child abuse in Columbia County; children locked in beds, vinegar sprayed in their faces: CCSO

9 children were taken into custody by DCF on Tuesday

Jonathan Lundy, Digital Producer, Jacksonville
Published: July 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – Four adults with nine children were accused of child abuse after an investigation by the Department of Children and Families and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. … Arrest warrants said that the abuse allegations happened at a home in Fort White, Florida. Of the nine children, five are biological and four are adopted, aging from 7 to 16 years old.

The DCF investigation started because it learned that one of the adopted children from the Griffeth family brought a taser to a church camp. After that, the staff contacted a woman at the church who reported additional concerns about the Griffeth children.

She said that the Griffeths recently relocated from Arizona to Florida with the foster children in their care. The woman also said that the Griffith family primarily adopts Black children and was concerned that they are being treated unfairly.

DCF visited the home to interview the family regarding the accusations. Officials said the adopted children were working on chores while the biological children were playing or watching TV.

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