On Wednesday PBSO deputies arrested Tyler Briggs (40) on the charge of child neglect. Briggs has had eight cases in the county since 2009 including a violent felony (aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery) in 2012 that was dropped by prosecutors. Last year he did 2 days in jail on a misdemeanor domestic battery, and he’s had a few other minor criminal charges. We also found a 2011 battery case for him in Collier County (Naples area).
The charge against him seems dubious. In law there’s a concern about crimes that are “vague.” The specific language of the statute he’s accused of violating is:
A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child.
Neglect is defined as:
A caregiver’s failure or omission to provide a child with the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health, including, but not limited to, food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, medicine, and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of the child
We don’t know what the specific accusations are against Mr. Briggs, but the law he’s accused of violating seems vague. He’s accused of not being a prudent parent (or caregiver). All parents have moments that could fit that description. Taking such a vague charge and treating it as a felony seems unreasonably harsh.
Mr. Briggs’ reported address is near the intersection of Lyons and SW 3rd St.
