Child-neglect charges filed against Sarasota man

A 48-year-old Sarasota man was charged in early November with three counts of child neglect without bodily harm in connection with a Sarasota Police Department investigation in concert with several other public and philanthropic agencies and organizations.

Tony Eldon Mayner Sr. was released on $2,500 bond a day after his Nov. 6 arrest at his home on 23rd Street. His three children were released to a family member.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County Jail

According to Sarasota Police, several attempts to assist in the welfare of the 10-, 11- and 14-year-old boys took place between September and November following initial police contact with the family such as delivery of cleaning supplies, perishable food and furniture, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The Department of Children and Families was first alerted on Sept. 24 when officers first noted unsafe living conditions in the home.

Among the conditions found, police reported, documents show:

• Frequent absences from school;
• Cockroaches on the floors and walls;
• Wood rot and the smell of mold;
• Trash on the floors, tables and counters;
• Raw meat patties which the children said were there for them to eat;
• More alcoholic beverages in two refrigerators than edible food; and
• A dog bite to one of the children that went untreated until first responders took the child to the hospital.

“Tony Mayner was given several chances and assistance to help care for his children, and it had progressively worsened throughout the investigation,’’ reads the affidavit, signed by Officer Julius Gonzalez of the Sarasota Police Department.

Police said the investigation was a collaboration of several police department units, Sarasota Housing Authority, Church of Palms Food Bank, Alta Vista Elementary School, Sarasota County School Board Police, Sarasota County Animal Services and the Resurrection House.

Florida law requires any individual who suspects that a child has been abused by any person to report that to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The abuse hotline is 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Any allegations a child was abused or neglected by a caregiver will be investigated by the Florida Department of Children and Families, while allegations of child abuse by someone other than a caregiver will be accepted at the hotline and immediately electronically transferred to the appropriate local law enforcement agency where the child lives.