BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. — A new state law allows for designated safe custody sharing zone areas where parents can safely exchange their children.
The law, which went into effect July 1, requires adequate lighting, purple signage or lights, and video surveillance that records 24/7 for the location. In Bradford County, the location is clearly marked at the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.
The law was named for Santa Rosa County mother Cassie Carli, 37, who went missing in March 28, 2022, after meeting her child’s father in a restaurant parking lot during the custody exchange. Her body was found in Alabama and the father, Marcus Spanevelo was arrested in Lebanon, Tennessee April 2, 2022, and later charged in connection with her death.
The new law requires each sheriff to designate at least one parking lot at the sheriff’s office or a substation as an available safe exchange location. The location must be marked and have at least one surveillance camera.
The Union County location is just west of the Union County Courthouse at 115 West Main St. in Lake Butler. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office's, Nassau County Sheriff's Office's and Flagler County Sheriff's Office's safe zones are located at those agencies headquarters.
