Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A rather disturbing story was featured in today's St. Pete Times about a Seminole mother who tried to sell her son for $2,000 because of her addiction to prescription drugs.

The 5-year-old boy was excited to start kindergarten Tuesday in Tampa.

Jim and Betty Gardner, who have helped raise the boy since he was an infant, were working hard to prepare him by establishing a morning routine.

Now, they're worried how his first school year will begin.

The child was taken into protective custody Saturday after authorities arrested his mother and accused her of trying to sell him to the Gardners for $2,000.

Jessica Mickles Beers, 28, whose last known address was in Seminole, was charged with Felony Sale of Parental Rights along with a Violation of Probation (VOP) on her pending Grand Theft charge. At her First Appearance Hearing on Sunday, bail was set at $10,000.

Gardner, 58, said he and his wife met Beers when the boy was just a few months old after she called their church for assistance. They took food and diapers to her.

Beers essentially was homeless, but was living with other people. She asked to move in with the Gardners and they agreed, Gardner said.

For the next five (5) years or so, the Gardners, who have fostered numerous children over the years, helped take care of Beers and her child.

About two years ago, Beers began talking about having the couple take guardianship of her son but never followed through with it. Early Saturday, Gardner said, Beers called him and offered to sign away her parental rights if the Gardners would pay her $2,000.

"It was money or else ..." Gardner said. "I thought 'Whoa, that's illegal.' "

He contacted the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), which arrested Beers at a Seminole grocery store when she came to collect the cash.

The child was not with Beers, but she told authorities where he could be found, Gardner said. Gardner said he believes Beers is addicted to prescription drugs.

Continue reading "SEMINOLE: $10,000 Bail for Mom Accused of Trying to Sell Her Son" »

I'm all for individuality and one's right to tattoo (almost) anything they want on their body. However, there comes a time when you are just asking for trouble....

Yesterday, an man was arrested under the authority of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warrant.

Ismael Hernandez-Ambrosio, of Clearwater, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. And I'm sure the arresting officer(s), detention deputies and jail staff enjoyed listing his "Scars, Marks & Tattoos" (as is routinely done when being booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

Unfortunately for Mr. Hernandez-Ambrosio, his "F*CK THE POLICE" Tattoo, going straight across his face, problem didn't earn him any brownie points, or an extra juice cup, or an extended, long-distance phone call.

If there is any moral to this story, it has to be "think twice" or three (3) times before inking yourself in such a negative way. As the former Gang Unit Prosecutor in Pinellas County, Florida, I've seen negative tattoos become damaging evidence used by prosecutors against arrested individuals.

All of us at the Blake & Dorsten, P.A. wish Mr. Hernandez-Ambrosio a pleasant trip down to the Krome Detention Center in Miami and a happy and safe stay before he appears in the Krome Immigration Court (prior to arriving at his final point of destination -- which appears to be Burma / Myanmar).