JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested a Jacksonville couple early Sunday morning on multiple child neglect charges after investigators say five children in their care were found severely underweight and showing signs of malnourishment.
Anthony Jones, 37, and Erica Bryant, 33, both of Jacksonville, were each charged with five counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony. Both were booked into jail in the early morning hours of July 19.
What officers say they found
Officers were dispatched to the couple’s apartment on the evening of July 18, 2026, to assist the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) with a well-being check. A DCF investigator had been called to the home after one of the children had been admitted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital at the recommendation of her primary care physician.
Upon entering the apartment, the arresting officer observed four juveniles who were described as “extremely thin in stature”, according to arrest reports. One child in particular showed visible signs of malnourishment, with the officer noting “boney prominence.” JSO says Jones was detained after repeatedly interrupting DCF’s attempt to independently interview the children.
Children evaluated at Wolfson Children’s Hospital
All five children were transported to Wolfson Children’s Hospital for full medical evaluations. An ER doctor examined each child and found all to be underweight for their age, according to the reports…