Florida Father Arrested After Kids Found Living in Cockroach-Filled Home With No Food or Schooling for Years
SARASOTA, FLORIDA — A 48-year-old Florida father is facing serious charges after police discovered his three children — ages 10, 11, and 14 — living in a filthy, cockroach-infested home with virtually no food, no furniture, and no schooling for years. Officers say the children were found sleeping during school hours, surrounded by trash, mold, and rotting conditions that had worsened even after months of intervention and support from nonprofits.
Police First Visited the Home in September After Seeing Disturbing Conditions
According to the Sarasota Police Department, officers first responded to the home in September after noticing through the windows that the interior was in extreme disarray. Once inside, officers found empty beer cans, piles of trash, and various drugs scattered around the house. One of the most shocking discoveries was an empty above-ground pool placed in the middle of the living room.
Police also noted the absence of basic necessities:
- No furniture
- No clean beds
- No food inside the fridge
- Dirty mattresses
- A strong odor of mold
Investigators say Tony Mayner, the children’s father, admitted the kids had not been enrolled in school for two years.
To help stabilize the situation, police and nonprofit organizations provided the family with food, furniture, and school supplies, and the Department of Children and Families intervened. But officers say the father did not maintain those improvements.
Welfare Check Reveals Conditions Had Gotten Even Worse
Two months later, on November 6, officers returned after learning the children were missing school again. On arrival, police found all three kids and the father asleep during school hours, and the home in the same or worse state.
The probable cause affidavit describes the moment officers stepped inside:
“I immediately observed several cockroaches running across the floors and walls of the home,”
an officer wrote.
“There was wood rot, a strong odor of mold, and uncleanliness throughout.”
Police reported finding trash, rotting food, and barely any edible items inside the refrigerator. Alcohol, however, was present in abundance. Officers also noted one of the children had been bitten by the family dog the night before, and Mayner had not properly treated the injury.
The children were again found living without clean bedding, safe food, sanitation, or essential care.
Father Arrested, Tests Positive for Methamphetamine
Following the welfare check, officers determined the father had failed to maintain even minimal safety standards despite receiving extensive help just weeks earlier. He was arrested and charged with three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.
Once at the jail, Mayner allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police.
The arrest affidavit emphasizes repeated failures:
“Tony Mayner was given several chances and assistance to help care for [his kids]
and it had progressively worsened throughout the investigation.”
Authorities concluded that the residence was unsafe for any child, citing:
- Cockroaches
- Rotting wood
- Mold smell
- Filth
- Insufficient food
- Lack of basic necessities
- Chronic absence from school
- Untreated injuries
Investigators say all three children are now receiving proper care and oversight while the case moves forward.
A Case That Raises Questions About Intervention and Oversight
The troubling situation has sparked discussions about the complexity of child welfare cases. Even with aid from nonprofits and involvement from state agencies, police said conditions continued to deteriorate. Officers noted that despite having “several chances,” Mayner did not take steps to fix the environment or ensure the children’s safety.
The case highlights how quickly a seemingly small issue — such as failing to enroll children in school — can reveal a deeper crisis of neglect inside a home.
As updates continue to emerge from Sarasota police, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of early intervention and consistent oversight in child welfare situations. For more continuing coverage of local investigations, community issues, and breaking news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.