Christopher Turney (Escambia County Sheriff’s Office).
A sheriff’s deputy in Florida was fired over accusations that he and his wife have been physically and mentally abusing their young children, beating them, keeping them out of school, and even refusing to get them toothbrushes.
Christopher George Turney, 40, and Leandra Childers Turney, 39, were taken into custody over the weekend and charged with two counts of felony child neglect without great bodily harm and two counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor by failing to require school attendance, records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
Christopher Turney is also facing an additional charge of felony cruelty toward children.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Pensacola, Florida, ABC affiliate WEAR, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on July 28 responded to a local church regarding a report of possible child abuse. The report states that the Turneys’ son went to the church and told a preacher that his father had been “historically physically abusive,” and had previously “punched him in the face.”
“[Christopher Turney’s son] was fearful of telling his story because he thought ‘no one would believe me because [his father] is a cop,’” police wrote in the affidavit, per the Pensacola News Journal. “As recently as July 27, 2024, [Christopher Turney’s son] said [Christopher Turney] ‘choked him out,’ and he was unable to breath. “[Christopher Turney’s son] said he took photographs of bruising and skin irritation caused by [Christopher Turney] and offered to provide them as evidence of his claims.”
While being interviewed at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Christopher Turney’s son reportedly told a forensic psychologist that he “would rather be homeless than return home,” adding that he “suffers from physical abuse” on a weekly basis.
The child also said that he does manual labor — mowing lawns — for which he is paid, but said that he was forced to give that money Christopher Turney, who told the boy the money was for “groceries” and to replace things that the boy had broken, WEAR reported.
The boy reportedly further explained that he had not been educated since he was adopted in 2017.
A female juvenile in the home also told law enforcement that she had not been to school in several years. She reportedly told police that she spent about one to two hours per day on schoolwork under the care of Leandra Turney, adding that Leandra Turney was often away on business and unable to supervise her studies.
The female juvenile reportedly told authorities that she did not know what grade levels she had attained or was in currently. She allegedly confirmed to authorities that she “had never been evaluated by a licensed teacher or undergone a yearly assessment test,” per WEAR. Investigators reportedly went on to confirm that the parents had not complied with state laws involving home schooling.
Police reportedly said they noticed that the juvenile female had visible “black decay” on her teeth. When asked about her teeth, the child allegedly responded that she does not brush her teeth, and in fact, did not even have a toothbrush. She further explained that Christopher Turney told her he was “saving up money” to purchase her a new toothbrush.
A dental hygienist related to Christopher Turney told authorities that she had not provided any dental services for the family since 2018, but had provided them with toothbrushes and toothpaste, among other dental supplies, according to local news website NorthEscambia.com.
The parents were both booked into the Escambia County Jail following their arrests. Christopher Turney was released after posting bond of $17,000. Leandra Turney was released after posting bond of $14,000. They are both currently scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 23.
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