Cops: Grandma Forced Teen to Sleep in a Tent

A 56-year-old Deltona woman faces child abuse and battery charges after the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office says she forced her 16-year-old granddaughter to sleep in a tent for months.

The dispute that sparked the altered living arrangement stemmed from the girl’s refusal to give the woman her social media passwords, MyFoxTampaBay reported.

The unusual situation began in October and occurred almost every other night for an estimated three months, the station reported. The girl was made to live in a backyard tent and was forced to sleep without blankets and pillows on numerous occasions, the station said.

The situation came to light on Tuesday when a family member noticed bruising on the girl, Click Orlando reported. The grandmother has also been accused of striking the teen with a yard stick and making her use a gas station bathroom.

“This is inhumane,” Fox News quoted Florida Department of Children and Families spokesman John Harrell as saying. “There is no excuse for this.”

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DCF and the Volusia sheriff’s office are continuing to investigate the case. The teenager and a 6-year-old in the woman’s care have both been taken into protective custody.

As for the grandmother, Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies have charged Leasia Barwick with child abuse and battery. Barwick was booked into the Volusia County Jail on Wednesday and later released on bond, according to jail records.

Leasia Barwick/Volusia County Jail