Fourth Family Member, Norman Tedder, Gets Prison Time In Century Child Abuse Case
May 30, 2024
A Century man previously found incompetent to stand trial has been sentenced to state prison on child abuse and robbery charges. He is the fourth member of a Century family sentenced to prison in connection with a 2021 child abuse case in which several children that had been sexually abused were found living in squalor in two campers.
Under a plea agreement, Tedder pleaded no contest and was convicted of two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm and one count of robbery with a firearm. He faced a maximum of life in prison if he had been convicted as charged.
He was sentenced to 60 months in state prison, with credit for 290 days time served while awaiting trial.
The robbery charge stemmed from a 2022 incident in which Tedder allegedly shot at a man at Tedder’s home and took several items from him. The incident happened outside Tedder’s home on old Flomaton Road, and authorities said he had the opportunity to leave the situation without firing a weapon.
Child Abuse Charges
The child abuse charges were from a 2021 case that has already sent three of Tedder’s family members to prison.
Noman Tedder’s wife, Tabitha Ann Tedder, was sentenced to four years concurrently on three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and four additional years on a felony charge of failure to report child abuse. An additional charge of tampering in a felony first degree proceeding was dismissed.
Michael Tracy Tedder was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for child sexual battery and designated as a lifetime sexual offender after he pleaded to multiple counts of sexual battery by a person in familial authority and lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor.
Michael Tracy Tedder’s wife Elizabeth Mae Dennis was previously convicted of two counts of child neglect and sentenced to 19.5 months in state prison, with credit for 116 days served, to be followed by 18 months probation.
Some readers may find the following details disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
On October 20, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school after a victim disclosed sexual abuse to a school counselor. The victim disclosed at school that she had been raped by Tedder. She stated that it hurt, and about the time she healed, he would do it again. The abuse occurred between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Michael Tracy Tedder had sexually abused additional victims between January 1, 2020, and October 20, 2021. He was the only family member charged with a sexual offense.
“This defendant preyed on children that should have been able to trust him,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said.
When the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went to Tedder’s home to investigate the sexual battery allegations, deputies found Tedder and three others living in squalor with six children in two campers.
One camper was “extremely dirty”, with “raw sewage coming from the back side of the camper and flowing underneath the camper causing an unbearable foul odor”, and “hundreds of roaches”, according to an arrest report. The roaches were in the food cabinet, running over the food, on the stove, on the sink and on the counter.
A deputy further described the camper as having roaches inside the shower and toilet area, pots with old food in them on the kitchen counter, a sink filled with dirty dishes and a refrigerator he called “extremely nasty”. There was one full size bed, a let-down bed with roaches crawling on it, and a baby crib in the camper. Two cats and two dogs were inside, and there were power cords running through the camper and by the kitchen sink.
“The camper had a foul odor inside and out that was unbearable,” the deputy wrote in his report.
The other camper, described as being “extremely small,” was also roach infested, dirty and piled full of clothes and other items making it impossible to enter, the report states.
According to the ECSO, there was no electrical service on the property; the campers were powered by numerous electrical cords strung together to a nearby home. Some of the cords had bare wires in places and junctions exposed to the weather.
“The parents smelled as if they had not bathed in several days,” a deputy wrote in his report.
The Florida Department of Children and Families removed the children.
Godwins Named Santa Rosa County Farm Family Of The Year
May 30, 2024
Steven Godwin and family of Jay have been the 2024 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family.
Steven and wife Rachael have three daughters: Laryn, Kylei, and Valarie. Laryn, 22, works as a CNA. Kylei, 14 is in the ninth grade at Jay High School. Valarie, 24, currently attends Florida State University.
Steven has been farming since 1995. He has a family history in farming, acquired his skills from his father and grandfather.
Today, he runs a 1,000-acre farm with the help of three family members. The Godwin family actively contributes to the community, supporting Jay High School programs and holding memberships in associations like the Florida Peanut Producers Association and Florida Farm Bureau.
Steven’s focus on cultivating quality crops, particularly peanuts, cotton, and soybeans, spans almost 30 years. He aims to expand the farm while embracing new management techniques.
Pictured: Steven Godwin and wife Rachael were presented with the 2024 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family award during the recent Santa Rosa County 57th Annual Farm Tour. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Set For North Escambia Stork Stock, Providing Free Essentials For Ages 0-2
May 30, 2024
The Escambia County Healthy Coalition, a local non-profit for pregnant women, new mothers, fathers, and children ages 0-2, is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest resource center for North Escambia.
The new resource center, “North Escambia Stork Stock,” will be located inside the Community Health Northwest Florida-Century Pediatrics office. it will officially open on June 11.
The North Escambia Stork Stock is a result of the partnership between the Healthy Start Coalition and the Community Health NWFL-Century Pediatrics site where many local parents of young children come looking for quality health care and resources to care for their families.
“Healthy Start is so grateful to Community Health Northwest Florida/Century Pediatrics for their critical support and partnership in the launch of our North Escambia Stork Stock,” said Allyson Anderson, executive director of the Coalition. “We look forward to serving our neighbors in North Escambia so that these families enjoy the same access to critical baby supplies and life-saving equipment as those in the Greater Pensacola area, to ensure that every baby has a healthy start.”
The North Escambia Stork Stock is fit to provide families with essential baby gear including diapers, wipes, clothing, diapers, diaper bags, pack and plays for safe sleep, breastmilk storage bags for breastfeeding mothers, and baby strollers. The North Escambia Stork Stock will have the same operating hours as the Century Pediatrics office. Clients can access the center Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with appointments strongly preferred. The site is open to Florida residents in North Escambia or established Century Pediatrics patients.
“Our commitment to North Escambia is for the long-haul and we look forward to bringing vital resources to the community for years to come.” saaid Anderson.
ECSO Commander Mark Jackson Retires After 30 Years
May 30, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Commander Mark Jackson has retired.
Jackson, a North Escambia resident, started his career with the ECSO in June of 1994 and has served in various capacities, including narcotics, street crimes, patrol, investigations, and SWAT.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Extended Through May 31
May 30, 2024
The animal shelter in Escambia County has extended free cat and dog adoptions through the end of the month.
Adoptions are free for cats and dogs one year or older through Friday, May 31. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are$25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We recently partnered with Bissell Pet Foundation to offer free adoptions, but we want to give our community second chance to participate in the adoption special for the rest of the month,” said John Robinson, director for the Department of Animal Welfare. “We have over 100 dogs and nearly two dozen cats ready to go home with you today. Adopting is a great way to give a pet a new home while also making space at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center for other animals in need.”
View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ECSO Investigating Shots Fired Incident In Century
May 30, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a shots fired incident Wednesday night in Century.
Deputies responded to a report of gunfire in the 200 block of Hilltop Road. A resident told deputies that they heard four to six shots outside their home and heard someone yell “where you at”. Deputies found four 9mm shell casings in the driveway at a nearby residence, and a cell phone was also located at the wood line in the backyard.
The ECSO discovered the front door on a nearby trailer was not closed all the way and cleared the residence, finding no one inside.
Deputies were unable to locate bullet holes in the trailer. A check of area hospitals did not locate a victim.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Hostetler’s Heroics Help Wahoos To Second Straight Shutout Win
May 30, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos locked down their second consecutive shutout win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday night, riding a ninth-inning RBI single from Bennett Hostetler to a 1-0 victory.
Luis Palacios, Dale Stanavich and Matt Pushard (W, 2-1) held the Shuckers to five hits, one night after a six-hit shutout win in the series opener. The Pensacola pitching staff hasn’t allowed a run in 20.0 innings dating back to the seventh inning of their Sunday game against Tennessee.
The victory helped the Blue Wahoos climb to within 1.5 games of first-place Montgomery with 22 games to play in the first half. The Biscuits were idle in Mississippi due to rain, and will play a doubleheader on Thursday. It marked Biloxi’s ninth consecutive loss, tying a franchise record.
Palacios worked 6.0 scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out two. Dale Stanavich was impressive in his Double-A debut, striking out three batters in 1.1 innings. Pushard entered with two on and one out in the eighth, working out of the jam to keep the game scoreless to the ninth.
Paul McIntosh led off the ninth inning with a double against Adam Seminaris (L, 0-2), who to that point had turned in 3.0 hitless frames in relief of starter Shane Smith. Two batter later, Hostetler grounded a single to left field that scored McIntosh for a 1-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
Pushard retired the Shuckers in order in the ninth to complete Pensacola’s second shutout win in a row.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Biloxi on Thursday. First pitch from Shuckers Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m
Free Sports Physicals For Tate, Northview Athletes June 8 At Andrews
May 29, 2024
Free pre-participation physical exams will be provided for Tate and Northview high school students by Baptist Health Care and the Andrews Institute.
The exams will be conducted at the Andrews Institute, 1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway only for students participating in FHSAA sanctioned sports.
For Tate athletes, the physicals will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m.
For Northview athletes, the physicals will be held Saturday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Important information is in the graphic below.
Northview High Valedictorian Sarah Bailey Looks To A Future Of Helping Kids
May 29, 2024
Northview High School’s Class of 2024 valedictorian is an involved, goal-oriented individual with her sights sight on a future of helping others, especially kids.
She was editor of the yearbook for two years, varsity cheerleading captain, president of the Beta Club and historian of the SGA.
Sarah said she decided years ago to set a goal of becoming valedictorian.
“This just didn’t happen,”‘ she said. “I went out of my way to do extra classes, honors classes, and dual enrollment credit.”
The valedictorian said life has been about more than just studying.
“I hang out with my friends; I lifeguard at the Atmore city pool,” she added. ” I work at the NWE concession stand, and I’ve done some other volunteering.”
Sarah also graduated in May from Pensacola State College with a general education degree.
She credits God for helping her achieve her goals.
“God really helped me through this, like whenever you really get worked up and you need a friend, God is there.”
She plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall and major in psychology before applying to medical school “I hope to help a lot of people, specifically kids.”
“I’ve dealt with some like OCD when I was little not that I really remember but I know it happened. So, I want to do my best to help other kids and their families.”
After college, she hopes to partner in a private practice and have a family of her own someday.
For the summer, she plans to spend time playing with her Basset hound puppy Oakley and go fishing with her brother.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged After Allegedly Ramming Ex-girlfriend’s Vehicle
May 29, 2024
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly ramming his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot.
Dalton Andrew Puente, 26, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and two felony counts criminal mischief with properly damage.
The victim told deputies that she pulled her vehicle into the parking lot of Home Depot on Mobile Highway to avoid Puente, her ex-boyfriend.
Puente followed the victim into the parking lot, accelerating rapidly and ramed his GMC truck into her vehicle, causing it to spin and hit another parked car, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim and two passengers in her vehicle were not injured.
Deputies said the victim’s vehicle suffered about $3,000 in damage, including the bumper, tail lights, and driver’s front side. The second vehicle, a Land Rover, sustained about $1,000 in damage to a bumper.
The ECSO said the incident was captured be Home Depot security cameras.
Puente was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $35,000 bond.