'Newspg3.indd' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

cal exam revealed a round 0.6 cm burn on the right hip of the 4 year-old, that is consistent

This investigation began when Edward Peters, 45, took his two daugh-

with a cigarette burn, according to Child Protection Team medical staff, and during the

ters, Madison, 11 and Mckala, 6, on Sunday, September 8, from a residence in

exam, the child said that Timmy had burned him with a cigarette, and that Timmy was mad

Inverness, Florida. Peters took custody of them against the wishes of their court

when he did it. The 4 year-old also stated that Timmy’s girlfriend, “Trish,” had burned him

ordered guardian. Peters, who was on pre-trial release, removed the GPS ankle

more than once with a cigarette. The exam revealed several wounds on the older boy con-

monitor that had been issued to him in August. The monitor was found off the

sistent with cigarette burns.

northbound lanes of I-75 in Hernando County, FL.

A forensic interview was not performed on the younger boy due to his age, but the

For several days, the Citrus County Sheriff s Office aggressively pur-

child was given a medical examination by the Child Protection Team which showed at least

sued Peters, with assistance from several state and federal agencies. On Sunday,

six separate wounds on the boy consistent with burns from a cigarette - three wounds under

September 15, Peters’ Jeep Liberty was found in Sanilac County, Michigan. Nei-

his right arm, one o.8 cm round wound on his right shoulder, and one 0.7 cm round wound

ther Peters, nor his two daughters were inside the vehicle at the time it was lo-



on his left buttock.

cated. It was believed Peters had stolen a black 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada with a McKala

The complainant confirmed that James Huggins had left the two victims in the

Michigan tag from Sanilac County, Michigan, due to the close proximity of this



custody of Timothy Huggins and Patricia Baker. The older boy was adamant that Timmy

stolen vehicle and his abandoned Jeep.

On Wednesday, September18, Peters, the

 in  Oldsmobile Bravada, was seen leaving and Trish had caused the cigarette burns, and they had been burned while they were in Ho-

  had reportedly stolen gas. The description mosassa.

a gas station in Laurel, Montana where thedriver

On Sept. 18, James Huggins was contacted about the child abuse case, and he

of the driver of a.m.Thursday morning, the

matched that Mr. Peters. At approximately 4:30  

stolen vehiclespottedDogPark,50miles westof Laurel, Montana. confirmed that the victims had been left in the care of Patricia Baker and Timothy Huggins

 was  at Prairie  State  just   

while the two children were in his custody during Sept. 8 through Sept. 11. However, when

Peters and his daughters were inside.

•••Huggins and Patricia Baker were contacted about the allegations, they both denied

Peters is currently in the Gallatin County Detention Facility in Bozeman, Montana. Timothy

The Citrus County Sheriff s fceis kng itheSateAtornesOffice nhe ex- injuring the children.

 O fi   wor i w th   t   t y  o t 

“Don’t Text and Drive, It’s the Law” Oct. 1st

tradition process for Peters. The Department of Children and Families is working with the

FBI’s victim advocate program to make arrangement for the girls’ return to Florida. It is

On Oct. 1, Florida will join the growing number of states who have made it illegal

undetermined at this time exactly who will take custody of the children upon their arrival.

to text on your phone while driving, which is considered distracted driving. Florida will be

the 41st state with such a law, but in Florida, the law is a secondary offense, which means



that an officer will have to witness a driver make another offense, first, before he/she can be

charged with texting while driving. However, it will be okay to text while stopped at a red

light or if you have a talk-to-text device such as iPhone’s Siri. The penalty will be $30 plus



court costs for a first offense and $60 plus court costs for a second offense.



Message boards around the state will shine the message, “Don’t Text and Drive. It’s

the Law.” on Oct. 1 and 15, as they did on Sept. 19, but as Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $1million



placed in the state’s budget to promote the ban, a campaign to promote the new law may be



sketchy. However, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has adopted a federal

ptrogram to combat distracted driving for Florida amd The Department of Highway Safety

    

and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is sponsoring “Put it down Day” on Oct. 1st to coincide with

  

CrimeStoppers Citrus: 1-888-ANY-TIPS



Fantastic Properties

    

JUST REDUCED! Very well main-



tained pool home with large kitchen,

beautiful cabinets, 2 bdrm 2 bath with



den/3rd bdrm. Lots of upgrades and

new carpet. Community has private



park and beach on the Rainbow Riv-

er, call today for your personal tour.

      

JUST LISTED over 11 beautiful acres. Enjoy the nature coast lifestyle with boating,

        

fishing, hunting or just relax in your private get-a-way. Magnificent oaks abound! Min-

utes from shopping but very quiet & private. Over 300 foot frontage on Hwy 19. Offered



NEW TO THE MARKET one acre homesite for site built home or mobile, fenced and

       

nice shade trees. No impact fees. $10,000.

WOODED PRIVACY almost 6 acres on CR 40 in Yankeetown, recently reduced to $24,900.

 

We have rentals available

Diamond Investments, Inc.

                   

Darryl A. Diamond

"Big or small we sell it all"

Licensed Real Estate Broker



Double D Auction Services, LLC

Lic. Florida Auction House#AB3141

   