County Sheriff Noel Stephens said “the Larson Dairy farm owners likely will not face criminal charges.” Friendship goes a long way in covering up criminal behavior. Even with video evidence of the abuse that these poor cows are going through on daily basis this was your first quote in an article. This has to be handled by another agency who will not cover up the Larson’s criminal animal abuse.
If this company is not shut down the abuse will continue. As stated below ALL employees are involved and only ONE has been fired. That is how “devastated” the Larson family are.
“On day one, we started seeing serious abuse by the milkers, by the managers, by the foremen,” Richard Couto with ARM, told WQAM. “The abuse continued as the days went on.”
Anyone under 40 beware the Okeechobee sheriff's dept is targeting you same as profiling which is illegal. Perhaps Rick Bradshaw needs to come over from Palm Beach County and teach them how to interact with the public. I'm posting this because I know for a fact of one woman over 50 whom they let go twice so drunk she couldn't stand up my brother picked her up both times and brought someone to drive her car home. They didn't impound her car. Also if you mouth off they pepper spray you if you're under 40. Sheriff Stevens needs to have a long disciplinary talk with his deputies they are out of control. I'm waiting along with my attorney for them to pull me over.
This agency should be investigated by the Justice Department for internal corruption and coverups, physical abuse of those they purport to protect, and actual criminal activity.
No change will come from within this county. Accountability must be established by independent review and oversight.
ALSO DO REVIEW FOR OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. I am the founder and director of a major children's charity, I am also the parent of an autistic 12-year-old child. Absolutely appalling how they treated a 10-year-old autistic child who will forever be scarred by these idiots. THE CHILD WAS KEPT IN JAIL OVERNIGHT! - charged with felony.. Of course, police are dodging everybody who calls to express disbelief, including media (I have a friend who is with 20/20) they are transferring calls to dead extension and also took down their Facebook page. Gee, wonder why Anybody know what school it was or name of teacher who pressed issue? Guess this sheriff can rule out re-election!
I guess it's a crime to be an autistic child in Okeechobee County, Florida.. they're considering arresting the mother now for "illegally" filming them on private property..hope you get what you deserve. sued senseless, so glad the world is seeing firsthand what scumbags you people are. So glad my autistic child lives far from these idiots
Apparently this Dept has some issues if they are arresting a 10 year old boy for kicking his teacher. Oh by the way the child is autisticabsolutely disgusting. Did the arresting officers not have any training dealing with special needs individuals or are they just plain oblivious? I have a daughter with Autism and thank God I live in Texas because this is just unacceptable on all levels. Shame on you Okeechobee Sheriff Office!!!! TURRRRRRRIBLE!!!!!!
Upon viewing the viral video depicting the mishandling of justice in regards to the arrest and detainment of a 10 year old autistic boy i am fervently displeased and disgusted with the behavior of this sheriffs office and the associated deputies. Such behavior is exemplary of nothing other the ever-intensifying over-policing of America and the brash, untrained, ill-equipped and downright idiotic state of Policing in modern America. How can one find their actions remotely morally justifiable or acceptable? That is a child, you are adults. Try to set an example other than that they should never trust police. What ever happened to the cop who takes a troubled youth out for an ice-cream to discuss the issues in their life, or are the personal difficulties in ones life not worth covering anymore? Seems like police have gone from the people who are there to protect and to serve to the people who are there just to fill a quota. Talk about perpetuating the cycle of crime and violence and facilitating the prison-industrial complex currently raping the lower income families of America.
This is the disgusting police department that was in the news this morning for arresting a 10 year old autistic child at school. As if the child and parents don't have enough on their plate already. I have a child in the ASD spectrum and I can say that it is an extremely difficult challenge. My heart goes out to these parents after being victimized by this sheriffs' department. It goes to show that FL is becoming a police state. The people who are responsible for this need to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.