A Sarasota man is in custody after local police found his three young sons living in what has been described as 'deplorable conditions'. Tony Mayner, 48, is facing three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, underlining the impact of parental neglect on children's wellbeing. The Sarasota Police Department officers first came across the alarming situation in September while on proactive patrol, as reported in an article from the Sarasota Police Department's official website.
The incident unfolded when members of the Homeless Outreach Team spotted a man asleep on the front porch of Mayner’s home in the 1700 block of 23rd Street. When approached, he told officers he was a friend of Mayner’s. Seeing the house in disarray through the windows, officers grew concerned and checked on the children inside. According to the Sarasota PD News Release, they found severe neglect: the home was filled with trash, had little food, smelled of gasoline, and even had an above-ground pool set up in the living room.
Showing strong community spirit, the officers didn’t just document the conditions—they also worked with local partners to get the children clothing, school supplies, and food and water. The kids were re-enrolled in school, offering a bit of hope in an otherwise troubling situation. But during a follow-up visit on November 6, after reports that the children had again stopped attending school, officers found the home still in the same disturbing condition, including a vermin infestation and no edible food.
Mayner allegedly failed to seek medical attention for one child after a dog bite, exacerbating concerns for the children's safety. Sarasota Police took Mayner into custody, where he tested positive for methamphetamines. He was then transported to the Sarasota County Jail. Despite his arrest on November 6, he managed to bond out the following day. The children have since been placed with a family member with the guidance of the Department of Children and Families.
Florida statutes dictate that suspicions of child abuse must be reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The interventional efforts in this case, as per the Sarasota PD, were supported by multiple entities, including the Sarasota Housing Authority, Church of Palms Food Bank, and other community services .
