- April 23, 2024
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By Brittany Kershaw
FCSO Public Affairs Manager
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Department of Children and Families, removed five siblings from a home on Water Oak Road on Oct. 31 in Bunnell after finding the residence to be untenable. Both parents, Dennis Allen and Betty Allen, were arrested for five counts each of child neglect.
The FCSO received an outpouring of support from the community and a strong desire to help the children. The Community Baptist Church, located at 956 S. Old Dixie Highway, has been designated as the collection site for donations for the children. Donations will be collected on site from 9 a.m. until noon on Monday through Thursday.
Those wishing to donate financially can mail or drop off a check to the church made out to Community Baptist Church with “Allen Children” written in the memo line on the check. Financial donations can also be made online by visiting https://cbc956.breezechms.com/give/online.
If you have any questions, contact the church by calling 386-437-1010 or send an email to [email protected]. These funds will be managed by the church staff and disturbed for each child’s needs equally. Donations will not go to the parents.
The children are in need of new or gently used clothing, underwear, socks and shoes. There are three girls, ages 14, 12 and 8, and two boys, ages 9 and 6.
“I am so impressed with the community’s desire to help these children in need,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Thank you for coming together to help and support them and thank you to the Community Baptist Church for stepping up to help them and for looking out for them.”
Currently, the children are being cared for in foster homes with the girls in one home and the boys in another by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Community Partnership for Children. CPC is working on a plan to place all siblings together.
Sheriff Staly, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, has worked with FSYR President Bill
Frye who agreed to hold five vacancies at the FSYR Bradenton Campus for the children. However, the state has not agreed to this placement and final placement decisions are up to DCF and the courts.
