Florida Couple Charged After Children Starve

Anthony Jones, 37, and Erica Bryant, 33, were arrested by the Jacksonville County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, July 18, following a "well-being check." The check was prompted when one of their children was taken to the emergency room due to extreme malnutrition.

Upon arrival, officers observed four other children who were also extremely thin, with one child exhibiting "boney prominence." All five children were found to be severely underweight for their ages and sizes, with one child weighing just 44 pounds and reporting that they had not eaten that day.

In addition to malnutrition, the children showed signs of physical abuse, including bruising and a scar that one child revealed was an alleged attempt by Bryant to cut their arm. The parents are charged with five counts of neglect to a child without great bodily harm and can only contact their children through DCF approval.

Authorities noted that the parents failed to provide essential food, nutrition, medicine, and medical services. Curiously, the kitchen was found to be well-stocked with nutritious food, including deli meat, bread, and frozen items.