On July 3, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, cooperating with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), executed a court-ordered removal of these children—ages ranging from 7 to 16—from the residence of Brian and Jill Griffeth at 173 SW Boundary Way in Fort White. The arrests came just weeks later on July 22, as the extent of the abuse came to light.
The genesis of this investigation traces back to a concerned mandatory reporter from the Griffeth family’s church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Branford. There, disturbing behaviors were noted during a church camp; one child was discovered bearing a functioning electronic stun gun, raising serious questions about the environment the children were subjected to. Reports that adopted children were treated differently than their biological counterparts began to surface, with alarming accounts of children not even knowing their own full names or birthdays—a grim insight into their isolated existence.
During DCF's initial assessment, investigators observed a stark division of labor: adopted children were forced to perform seemingly endless chores while biological children reveled in leisure, playing or watching television. It emerged, disturbingly, that one more foster child associated with the family was located safety in Arizona, after gradual confirmation that the Griffeths had previously relocated from there.
Subsequent interviews conducted by the Child Protection Team revealed horrendous allegations. Reports indicated that some children were caged beneath bunk beds, pinned beneath sheets of plywood, brutally beaten with a cane, sprayed in the face with vinegar, and coerced into lying about their living conditions. Additionally, there was evidence that some had been administered non-prescribed medication and faced significant neglect regarding their education.
The authorities charged Brian Matthew
