Two adult siblings charged in a shocking child abuse case involving nine children have received reduced bond amounts during court hearings in Columbia County, Florida. Dallin and Liberty Griffeth appeared before Judge Garrett Hill on Wednesday as their cases move toward trial in October.
The case came to light after authorities discovered disturbing abuse at the family home in Fort White, Florida. Nine children, ranging in age from 7 to 16, reported being subjected to extreme punishments including being caged under bunk beds with plywood screwed over the entrances. The children also alleged being sprayed with vinegar in their faces as punishment and being forced to lie on floors while having plywood pressed onto their bodies, causing splinters and injuries.
According to Court TV, Assistant State Attorney Madison Hodge told the court that prosecutors had agreed to reduce Dallin’s bond from $500,000 to $10,000, explaining that “there’s levels of culpability in this case” and noting that “the parents are obviously the main culprits.” However, Judge Hill found the agreed amount too low and instead set Dallin’s bond at $150,000. Liberty’s bond was reduced to $100,000 during her appearance.
Investigation reveals disturbing family dynamics
The investigation began when a mandatory reporter at the family’s church raised concerns after one of the children brought a stun gun to a church camp. Child protection workers discovered that the Griffeth family had adopted four African American children and was treating them differently from their biological children. During home visits, investigators observed adopted children performing chores while biological children played or watched television.
#DallinGriffeth, #LibertyGriffeth, and their parents #BrianGriffeth and #JillGriffeth, face charges of child abuse after nine underage children in their home reported receiving extreme punishments and being locked in their beds.
— Court TV (@CourtTV) September 18, 2025
Dallin & Liberty successfully had their bonds… pic.twitter.com/KIowNEYM87
Multiple children reported being confined under bunk beds using plywood barriers that were screwed in place, preventing escape even when they needed to use the bathroom at night. One 14-year-old boy showed investigators scars from being forced to lie on the floor while plywood was pressed onto his chest and back. Some of the adopted children did not know their full names or birthdays and had not attended school for years.
The children were removed from the home on July 3, 2025, after the Florida Department of Children and Families obtained a court order. During subsequent interviews with child protection teams, nine children revealed various forms of abuse including being beaten with canes, given unprescribed medication, and instructed to lie about their home situation.
Parents face more serious charges in ongoing case
Brian and Jill Griffeth, the parents and primary defendants in the case, remain in custody on the original $500,000 bonds. All four family members were arrested on July 22, 2025, and charged with aggravated child abuse. The family had moved to Florida from Arizona, where they had privately adopted several children before relocating to avoid detection of their treatment patterns.
UPDATES
— Adriienne F (@imadriienne) September 18, 2025
Four members of the same family are ALL facing aggravated child abuse charges
Brian & Jill Griffeth, along with their adult children Dallin & Liberty Griffeth, were arrested on July 22.
It’s alleged the… pic.twitter.com/ha40ETQw2z
During Liberty’s court appearance, her defense attorney requested access to Child Protection Team interviews with the children. Prosecutors initially withheld the recordings, citing privacy concerns and noting they contained allegations of sexual abuse unrelated to Liberty’s specific charges. The court ultimately agreed to release three interviews immediately, with Judge Hill reviewing the remaining recordings privately to determine their relevance to the defense.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by child protection systems in identifying abuse within adoptive families. Both Dallin and Liberty are scheduled to return to court in October as their cases proceed toward trial. A tenth child who had been with the family was located safe with their biological parent in Arizona.
