Letter written Saturday, July 5, 2003 by Cindy Carter, Daniel's Mom
On two occassions to two different kids the Escambia County Correctional Officers used a piece of equipment they call the CHAIR to restrain the kids. They handcuff the kids into a motorcycle position for up to 12 hours without any bathroom breaks and force them to relieve themselves in the CHAIR if they have to go.
Daniel is out of "Lockdown" however, his mistreatment continues... He was moved to a tiny cell, infested with ants, has bug bites from non-identified type bugs, the ceiling leaks ( could be a tolet or sink up above) on his bed, his bed and sheets are wet. He has shock marks on his arm because everytime he uses the phone the cord shocks him ( go figure ) He gets one hour of study a day, but the medication effects his memory and all his math study has not be retained. While Daniel was eating his lunch, they decided to spray for the ants, his food tasted like bug spray.
Correctional officers escorted Daniel from his required isolation cell in the Special
Housing area of Escambia County Jail to a common transition area, preparing him to
transfer into the adult population. While in the common transition area, he was ordered to
remove all of his clothes in order for guards to search him in front of more than 50
taunting and jeering adult inmates in the surrounding area. The teen was then told to
redress as the adult inmates continued to look on in amusement.
Daniel was moved back to Special Housing after this shocking incident "until his
birthday was over" where he was told he was going back to the adult area. Then Daniel
informed the correctional officers that he was only 16. The correctional officers that
subjected him to the public disrobing claim they thought he had turned 18. This incident
is only one of several Daniel has revealed
in which he has been subject to contact with adult inmates including being transported to
court, shackled, sitting next to a convicted child molester.
This incident is a clear violation of Florida law. Fla. Stat. § 985.215 states, "A
child taken into custody for prosecution as an adult shall be housed separately from adult
inmates to prohibit a child from having regular contact with incarcerated adults. Regular
contact means sight and sound contact. Separation of children from adults shall permit no
more than haphazard or accidental contact."
When Daniel was first arrested, his medication was withheld and he was extremely unstable after the tragedy.
After Daniel broke his wrist, the doctor put his wrist in a rigid splint. The jail took it away and gave him an ace bandage instead. Mom had to throw a very loud fit and finally got a cast on the boy's wrist so it could properly heal and to help the pain he was experiencing.
Immediately after Stokes mentioned to Rimmer the family is pushing for a jury trial
(this was not true but was a bluff) Daniel was taken to isolation in lockdown for what I
was told mis-use of medication, he was not allowed to see mom or anyone other than Stokes
for two weeks. His pastor was turned away at Easter.
I called the jail and talked to the captain, she told me that Daniel had also acted out in
lockdown and his time would be extended. She finally said she would do a favor and let
Daniels pastor see him and would make special arrangements. The next week the ACLU called
the jail and asked about Daniels treatment, the jail was not happy about that inquiry.
Whatever Daniel did to extend his stay in lockdown is unknown and after the ACLU phone
call Daniel was quickly returned to the special housing unit and taken out of lockdown.
Severe punishment like being strapped to a chair with lead apron on and a helmet for slight infractions is given.
For reasons unknown, Daniel has been denied an education, has been denied treatment for
depression, as well as for a life threatening heart-related disability which he needs to
be tested for once a year and is far overdue and denied dental care. Daniel is in pain
every day due to his medical conditions.