PAGE 8 - April 8, 2009
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Claims by Crystal River Youth Unfounded Baby Manatee Rescue  - Continued from page 1
got its name from a pet name for Leslie. The tiny manatee had somehow become separated
Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives have continued their investigation into
from her mother and clung to the Dasch's boat for about five hours before she was rescued.
how an 8-year-old boy ended up more than a mile from his home late Thursday night on
Leslie and Richard had observed the baby manatee nuzzling and sticking close by
March 19th. The boy's story about how he got there contained so many inconsistencies that
the boat, long enough to realize the
deputies were unclear about exactly what may have happened. However, the boy was able to
baby was on her own. They contacted
provide details regarding a person who may have accompanied him, as well as a vehicle
the rescue team, which was aided by
description. A composite sketch based on the child's information was created and released
the U.S. Coast Guard Station Yankee-
to the media.
town and cheered along by a dock
Through neighborhood canvasses, sexual offender and predator checks, BOLOs
loaded with well wishers.
(be on the lookout) issued, detailed interviews and ultimately the boy's own admission,
About ten days prior to the
Sheriff's Office detectives have learned that the incident never occurred as the youngster
rescue, the Dasch's had enjoyed a
stated it did. The child left his home that night of his own accord, without another adult, and
boat outing, about a mile up river from
walked to a nearby convenience store.
their home, where they saw the
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office will always take allegations made by citizens,
birthing of a baby manatee they feel
particularly children, very seriously and will devote all of its resources to keep them safe.
may be Suki. Orange paint on Suki's
However, in this case, the hours expended were based on a non-factual event.
head and back would lead you to sus-
Man Shot   - Continued from page 1
pect that Suki's abandonment may be
due to a boating accident. If this is
road to (unsuccessfully) stop Wolff.
the case, it is easy to imagine that Suki
Wolff was shot and killed during the incident, in Marion County on C.R. 484 near I-
was nuzzling the boat as her adopted
75, heading toward Belleview, Florida. Notification of next of kin was in process on Monday
mother because it had imprinted on
morning.
her at her birth.
A crowd gathered, mostly FWC personnel as soon as the
Authorities with the CCSO and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Word was received that Ri-  word went out about the baby manatee.
are investigating the officer-involved shooting. Dep. Juan Berrios, 32, and Sgt. Ryan Glaze,
chard Dasch was making a donation  Photo by Sally Price
33, have been placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure after an officer-in-
to cover Suki's care. She had touched
volved shooting. Berrios joined the sheriff's office as a patrol deputy in February 2006. Glaze
the hearts, not only of the Dasch family, but of all who had watched as she was saved from
was hired in July 2000 as a patrol deputy; he joined the K-9 unit in April 2002, became team
certain death.
leader in October 2007, with the rank of corporal, and was promoted to patrol sergeant in
The FWC Wildlife Alert hotline received the original report of the orphaned calf.
January.
According to biologists, spring is the beginning of the manatee calving season. During this
Workshop to be scheduled for Animal Services Ordinance
time, the potential for orphaned calves increases.
To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline, toll-free,
A public hearing that had been proposed for the Citrus county commission on
at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
April 14 regarding the county's revised Animal Services Ordinance will not be held as pro-
posed. Instead, the county commission has directed county staff to hold a second public
workshop at the Lecanto Government Building on a date yet to be determined. The commis-
sion felt another workshop was necessary to inform interested members of the public on
changes that have been made to the original draft of the revised ordinance.
The date and time for the workshop will be announced soon and posted on the
county website. Public input regarding the draft is still welcome and can be mailed to
Development Services Director Gary Maidhof at Lecanto Government Building; 3600 West
Sovereign Path; Lecanto, FL 34461 or e-mailed to: gary.maidhof@bocc.citrus.fl.us.
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