Two weeks before a Florida man allegedly killed his daughter and six grandchildren, a tipster called authorities to warn that he might be a threat to his family.
Now Bell residents are asking why the state's Department of Children and Families did not rescue the children from their dangerous grandfather, 51-year-old Don Spirit.
The department revealed Monday that someone called their abuse hotline on Sept. 1 complaining that adults were using drugs in front of children, according to local media.
The children's mother, Sarah Spirit, tested positive for drugs and was arrested for violating her probation, reported WJXT.
AP
After she was released, the 28-year-old woman and her six children moved in with her father in Bell, according to the local station.
On Thursday, Spirit shot all six - ranging from 3 months to 10 years of age - before turning the gun on himself in a murder-suicide that leaves lingering questions, authorities said.
Minutes before, he called 911 and warned that he might hurt himself or others.
The motive is still unclear. But Spirit's troubled history of abuse is not.
Last year, Spirit beat one of his grandchildren with a belt and caused bruising, according to DCF.
More than a decade ago, Spirit was convicted of fatally shooting his 8-year-old son during a hunting accident in Osceola County in 2001 and spent several years in prison, reported News 13.
The children's names were Kaleb Kuhlmann, Kylie Kuhlmann, Johnathon Kuhlmann, Destiny Stewart, Brandon Stewart and Alanna Stewart.
A representative for DCF was not immediately available for comment.
mwalsh@nydailynews.com
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Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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