Child Welfare in Florida
Along with my investigative work on evictions in the summer 2021, I worked as a photographer on a story about the child welfare system. I traveled to Sarasota and Kissimmee Florida and spent time with two families currently involved with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The investigative piece written by my colleagues can be found here.
Joshua Jones, 2, and his sister, Serenitey Jones, 4, eat salads for lunch in their yard on Thursday, July 1, 2021. The family moved into a friend’s RV last August after they could not pay the rent for their four-bedroom home. If they are not able to secure a safer housing option, Joshua and Serenitey’s parents risk losing custody of their children to Florida DCF.
Brooklynn Sprinkles at her home in Sarasota, Florida, on Thursday, July 1, 2021. In May, the Florida Department of Children and Families launched an investigation into the family’s living arrangement, deeming the RV’s location on a cluttered storage lot unsafe.
Joshua Jones plays in the backyard where he lives in Sarasota, Florida. His mother acknowledges that the space is not safe for children, but cannot afford to move the family. The yard is filled with the previous owner’s belongings.
Brooklynn Sprinkles shopping at Walmart with her children on Thursday, July 1, 2021. The family does not have access to a refrigerator and has to go grocery shopping often to get ice for their coolers.
Brooklynn Sprinkles sleeps on an air mattress in the living room of the RV with her daughter and baby. “He (Wailynn) greets me every morning with loves, hugs and kisses,” Sprinkles said.
Wailynn Jones, 1, Brooklynn Sprinkles, Serenitey Jones, 4, and Joshua Jones, 2, look for lizards in their yard in Sarasota, Florida, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Brooklynn Sprinkles hours as a manager at the Dollar Tree were cut at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to the family being unable to keep up with rent.
Serenitey Jones, 4, (left), Joshua Jones, 2, Wailynn Jones, 1, with their mom Brooklynn Sprinkles.
Candyce Connors plays with her puppy, Apollo while her husband, Mike Ramos, and son Eli Roman play on their cellphones at their hotel room in Kissimmee, Florida. Connors got the dog to emotionally support her and her children.
Maya Roman, Caleb Roman and Mike and Candyce Connors have been living in a hotel room in Kissimmee, Florida, for the past year. Candyce’s son Jayden has been in medical foster care for the past year. Candyce is trying to get him placed with his paternal grandmother.
Mike Ramos with Caleb Roman and Candyce Connors in their hotel room at Shining Lights Inn and Suites
Mike Ramos (left), Eli Roman and Candyce Connors watch TV on Eli’s tablet at their hotel room in Kissimmee, Florida.