Florida Mother Avoids Prison After Locking Adopted Son in Garage

A Florida mother charged two years ago with allegedly keeping her adopted son locked in an 8×8 enclosure inside the family’s garage has avoided prison time. Tracy Ferriter reached a plea deal with prosecutors, resulting in probation after pleading guilty to charges of child abuse.

On June 24, Ferriter pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment, and child neglect. Her conviction at the Palm Beach County Courthouse marked the end of a disturbing case from February 2022, when police found an 8-foot-by-8-foot box-like structure in the garage of the Ferriters’ home. Both Ferriter and her husband, Timothy, were arrested.

Despite this lenient sentence, Circuit Judge Howard Coates handed down 10 years probation on the child abuse count and concurrent five-year probation terms for the other two charges. She is required to pay a $2,000 fine, undergo a mental health evaluation, complete 300 hours of community service, house arrest for a year, anger management and parenting classes, and provide a DNA sample.

During the sentencing hearing broadcast live on Court TV’s website, Ferriter stood silently between her attorneys. She responded softly with “yes” or “no” to Judge Coates’ questions.

Ferriter acknowledged understanding the plea agreement’s terms and was warned she could face at least 75 months in prison if she violated probation within five years.

Tracy Ferriter expressed her emotions publicly after agreeing to the plea deal.
It’s been a nightmare for our entire family. It’s also a nightmare for the real victims, our children. I love them more than anything and they mean more to me than anything.
She emphasized her love for her children while discussing their struggles living with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).

Defense Attorney Marc Shiner, commenting on Tracy Ferriter’s decision, said she pleaded guilty to offer some peace for her family. He described her case as different from Timothy’s case.
This is a human being that is extremely educated, loving [and who] adopted children out of the goodness of her heart