GUILTY FL - Boy in a Box abuse trial - Parents, Timothy & Tracy Ferriter Arrested, Jupiter, Feb 2022

[Jurisprudence]

Exploring RAD: A mother's two adopted sons, one murder

Well, if what the child has said this is not the same situation. He stated he was not temporarily separated. He was permanently separated. Not a psychiatrist, but it seems to me it probably exacerbated any issues he had. And if he had no real issues (maybe was just a little wild at the start), it could have created them. Didn't the brother and sister(?) back-up his claims?

For the RAD defense it sounds from the video that you need to have treatment regimes pretty well documented. The atty letter here #7 makes reference to school reports about behavioral issues. I can see that being true. But did I miss where she said she would provide all the medical records for actions they've taken short of locking the child in a cage like an animal?

What a horrible case.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

YOUR THOUGHTS? In an unheard-of ruling, the judge in our new trial has ruled that the media can broadcast jurors' faces if we choose. "Breaking with recent courthouse tradition, Coates acknowledged that after researching case law, there is no prohibition from showing potential and actual jurors." Coates plans to tell prospective jurors they may be shown on TV, saying he doesn’t know how that will affect their willingness to serve. However, he says their names and addresses will remain sealed until after the verdict. #timothyferriter Via @WPBF25News
https://wpbf.com/article/jury-selection-begins-friday-in-case-of-jupiter-florida-man-charged-with-keeping-adopted-son-in-garage-box/45363660

https://twitter.com/x/status/1708217600667459929

Coates made an unexpected ruling Thursday that he will not prohibit the media from broadcasting jurors' faces if they choose to do so.

“There will be no prior restraint on the media’s ability to publish any of the video or photographs that it takes during any phase of the proceedings,” Coates said.

Breaking with recent courthouse tradition, Coates acknowledged that after researching case law, there is no prohibition from showing potential and actual jurors.

Coates plans to tell prospective jurors they may be shown on TV, saying he doesn’t know how that will affect their willingness to serve. However, he says their names and addresses will remain sealed until after the verdict.

I don't like this. To me this is a bad (and potentially dangerous) idea, especially in today's climate. Jurors are free to talk to the press after the trial concludes if this is their choice, but that would be their choice. Here they get no choice. Jury duty is mandatory and required by law. What's his plan? Give hundreds from a pool a choice to serve or not, thereby dismissing many potential jurors?

I realize there will always be a limited number of the public present in the courtroom who will see their faces anyway, but when you open it up to the entire world the calculus changes. Jury tampering would be impossible to control. I don't know.

My thoughts only

 

[Jurisprudence]

The Florida father accused of locking up his adopted son inside a room he had built in the family’s garage heads to trial this week. Timothy Ferriter faces charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment and neglect of a child, court records show.

According to his arrest affidavit out of Palm Beach County, Jupiter officers were contacted by a contract worker after Ferriter asked him to build an office in his garage in December 2021, but once he completed his work, he thought the entire project “was very strange,” according to the affidavit.

“The room was built as an 8-foot-by-8-foot space in the garage with its own ceiling and door. [The worker] further advised the door had added a bolt lock and knob only on the outside, no knob inside so if someone were inside the office they would not be able to exit until someone opened the door for them from the outside. [The worker] state he was also instructed to build this space with electricity and install a window air conditioning unit as well as a camera in the ceiling.”

Father accused of locking teen in tiny makeshift room and beating him with belt faces trial

Sep 29th, 2023, 11:22 am

This is what I heard as well - that the contractor is the hero here. But the news report linked above stated the mother called the police to report him missing and they found him at school. Odd considering if it's a school day and the kid isn't there wouldn't the school be your first phone call? I think this account is probably the right one with the police maybe going to the school to interview all of the children. Time will tell.

jmo

 

[Chimera]

This is the first time I've heard of this case.
Horrifying.
That poor teen.
The way to help and correct behavioral issues is to show love and trust, totally and openly.
No one should ever be locked away in a 'box' to 'fix' them.
Being deprived of light is torture, and I'm guessing his allowed food may have been limited portions ?

These parents are like some other cases, where the "punishment" was akin to abuse.
I hope these kids are able to heal, esp. the abused teen boy.

Will be following and hoping these poor excuses for parents are dealt with harshly.
Omo.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Seems like the audio is a bit louder/clearer on this feed

They cuffed the child at school? Do we know why?

 

[arielilane]

Cross Examination now underway of Tim Ferriter's 17 yr old daughter - what does she know about the alleged abuse of her younger brother kept in a wooden garage room?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709573543489347643

 

[arielilane]

WATCH LIVE: Imprisoned Son Trial — FL v. Timothy Ferriter — Day Two​

Florida man Timothy Ferriter is accused of locking up his adopted son inside of a room he had built in the family’s garage. Ferriter faces charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment and neglect of a child. Court records out of Jupiter, Florida show that the door to the room had a deadbolt on the outside, along with multiple other locks. Investigators also found video from a ceiling camera that showed Ferriter allegedly punching, throwing, and beating the son multiple times. When Ferriter's son wasn't in school, he allegedly was locked in the room — only allowed out to eat or sometimes use the restroom.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Prosecutor: Tim Ferriter's son didn't have bedroom in house

Coakley explained to jurors how they would see video from a Ring camera that was placed in the corner of the box-like structure.

"The evidence is going to show that that room was not a room that he could come and go as he pleased," she said. "He was locked inside from the outside over and over again."

During her opening statements, Murad explained how the boy had been "engaging in dangerous behaviors" while the family was living in Arizona and they wanted to keep their toddler safe, so they decided to put a lock on the door of his room.

"It was for the purpose of monitoring him when they couldn't," Murad told jurors. "Because, unfortunately, they're in a situation where they cannot leave this child unattended. There has to be someone constantly watching him and they cannot do that as two working adults."

Murad said they built a room for the boy in their garage in Arizona once the baby was born and constructed a similar room for him when they moved back to Jupiter
_________________________________________________________________________________

Defense attorney: Tim Ferriter's son had been 'engaging in dangerous behaviors'

"Both the room in Arizona and the one in Florida had one very big design flaw – and that is that it did not include a bathroom," she said.

Murad said the boy had been allowed to use the bathroom in the house during the day and used the bucket "a handful of times" during the night.

"This was not some big secret life like the state is presenting," Murad said. "These people went to doctors. They went to therapists. The schools were emailing them back and forth about [the boy's] behavior. They had family members and friends see the room in Arizona. In Florida, they were only here for about four weeks right before Christmas and then school started."

Prosecutor says Tim Ferriter kept boy in windowless, box-like structure in garage

A prosecutor says there was no bedroom and were no toys in the Jupiter home of a father accused of keeping his adopted son locked in a windowless, box-like structure in the garage.

www.wptv.com

 

[arielilane]

This is a difficult case to follow, been thinking about it a lot. This narcissist is an idiot for not accepting the plea deal. Admit your faults, very bad and extreme behavior, get help, and move on.

Perhaps it's well he did not - hopeful the jury convicts him. Justice for the child, and actually for all the children (anticipate it wasn't easy for anyone in the home) involved. All of this is a matter of opinion and speculation. I know nothing and are thoughts only ...

 

[arielilane]

The defense is showing Tim Ferriter's daughter pictures of family events and trips including her brother, who she previously testified was not allowed to be included in such activities - she acknowledges he was at some #ferriter

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709583592588763331

 

[arielilane]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Court TV) — The first day of trial has wrapped for the Florida father standing trial on charges he locked his adopted teenage son in a box in his garage for hours at a time.

Timothy Ferriter was indicted, along with his wife, Tracey Ferriter, in March 2022 on charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment. Though the couple was initially charged together, their cases were severed at Timothy’s request, citing comments his wife made to police when he was not present. [...]


[...] In opening statements, prosecutor Brianna Coakley described the defendant’s treatment of his son as cruel, malicious and could only exacerbate problems for a child with behavioral issues.

Defense attorney Prya Murad conceded that some of her client’s actions could be bad parenting, but it did not amount to criminal behavior.

Prosecutors offered Timothy a plea agreement that would have sent him to jail for 24 months, but he rejected it in the days leading up to the trial. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.


Much more @link:

Ferriter daughter testifies about windowless room in the garage

The 17-year-old, FF, testified remotely via closed circuit TV, as her adoptive parents Tim and Tracy Ferriter watched from the courtroom.

www.courttv.com

Posted at 9:14 AM, October 4, 2023

 

[arielilane]

Breaking for lunch - Next Up- the teen victim - the so called Boy in the Box - whose father locked him in garage box room each day and night - what will he describe?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709597723320627470

 

[arielilane]

Recess is until 1:00 pm ET.

 

[arielilane]

Another link to watch trial (@Gardenista posted this link yesterday) - for better audio.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial begins for Florida man accused of forcing adopted son to live in garage structure

A trial has begun for a Florida man who authorities said forced his adopted teen son to live in a structure in their garage for years.

www.nbcmiami.com

 

[arielilane]

NOW: #TimothyFerriter's son - the alleged victim in question - takes the stand. Pictured here is defendant/dad Tim Ferriter. Mom/co-defendant Tracey Ferriter in green behind him. She will go on trial at a later date. WATCH: https://youtube.com/watch?v=r6hyA6FtYEw

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709617837156037020

 

[arielilane]

NOW - the "Boy" from the "Boy in the Box" trial is testifying against the adoptive father, Tim Ferriter, who locked him for hours in an 8x8 foot garage structure equipped with a mattress, desk and a bucket

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709621287318909007

 

[arielilane]

COURTROOM OBSERVATIONS: The alleged victim, son of the Ferriters is on the stand now. @CourtTV He's wearing a shirt & tie, looks more confident than his sister did testifying. Jurors are locked in on his face...not even breaking their stare when prosecutor has a long question.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709620711050858679

 

[arielilane]

Cross-examination

 

[arielilane]

COURTROOM OBSERVATIONS: Ferriter son is testifying on direct in the courtroom as his parents, accused of child abuse against him, look on. His mother Tracy appears stoic, barely moving in the gallery. Son comes across intelligent & self assured. No apparent shyness
@CourtTV

https://twitter.com/JuliaCourtTV