Probationary Pugilism

Below is a factual account of what happened to my son and daughter in law this week. It was a travesty of justice and I have sent a letter to the Citrus County Chronicle (400 words maximum allowed) about this event.

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Probationary Plan Precedes Pugilistic Phenomenon: Citrus County Probation and Community Intervention Program in Inverness, Florida issued a VOP warrant out of the blue for a mother of 5 small children based on incorrect information and utter lack of humane concern for their clients. Said warrant was served on the morning of 4/22 on my daughter in law who was arrested in front of her 5 small children. Police officers were forced to wait while my daughter in law utilized a breast pump in order to ensure her youngest, my seven week old infant granddaughter Wrenley, would have food.

A year ago my daughter in law - Amanda - was rightfully arrested on a DUI. First offense. Nothing but property damage. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and to take several courses - all of which are expensive. Amanda ceased drinking totally and complied wholeheartedly and contritely. Neither she nor my son have had a single alcoholic drink since. Despite severe financial hardships she has met every requirement. Unfortunately, giving birth in February, caused her to miss a couple of the drug & alcohol classes. Prior to that there were medical issues causing her to miss a couple classes. She missed 5 out of 18 classes in total. She was told there was no issue, all excused, and any missed classes would be moved to end of the 18 week course. To her knowledge, all was in compliance. Then her probation officer retired - without telling her.

Unbeknownst to my son and daughter in law, a new probation officer was assigned. With no investigation, or even a phone call, this officer had my DIL - whom she had never even met - arrested for VOP, no bond, totally out of the blue. I was forced to drop everything, drive across state with my wife, hire a lawyer, and watch my 5 grandchildren for two days while this was sorted. The lawyer spoke with the prosecutor who agreed it was a travesty and agreed to end Amanda’s probation completely as of yesterday and release her. Despite that, the new probation officer tried her level best to insist my DIL - who has complied with every single requirement - be remanded for VOP. She was highly upset when Amanda was released - rightfully - from probation with no stipulations. Still, this travesty cost me $2500, trauma to my grandchildren, and hardship with my son’s job. It cost my daughter in law severe emotional distress and over 24 hours in jail. All because a probation officer on a power trip had a desire to appear like a hard case.

What happened to the probation office’s job being to shepherd and help their clients? What happened to fact checking? What about basic humanity? This situation was and is deplorable. The Citrus County Probation office is assigning officers on a power trip with no conscience and horrible lack of sympathy or humanity. I truly hope some fact checking is done internally to that office so others aren’t railroaded by officers such as CG (her initials).

That is my wife in the background. This picture I took of my son and the kids on the morning of 4/23/25. My entire heart is contained here. BTW, to heck with discretion.. the probation officer is Candy Gallant of the Probation Citrus County Salvation Army Correctional Services Department in Lecanto, Florida. Come here little girl…, I’ve got some Candy for you … RUN! DANGER!