Man in Sarasota Arrested Facing Felony Child Neglect Charges

Tony Mayner, 48, is facing three charges of child neglect without great bodily harm after his sons, ages 10, 11 and 14, were found in deplorable conditions in their home.

In September 2025, Sarasota Police officers with the Homeless Outreach Team were on proactive patrol in the 1700 block of 23rd Street, Sarasota. Officers stopped at the home because they recognized a man asleep on the front porch. The man shared with officers he was friends with Mayner.

Officers observed through the windows of the home that it was in disarray and the living conditions raised concerns for the children living inside. Officers asked if they could check on the children and Mayner allowed them to enter. Once inside, officers found the home filled with empty beer cans, trash and various types of bugs.

There was an “above ground” swimming pool in the living room of the home. It did not have water in it. There was an odor of gasoline and officers believed it posed health concerns. The refrigerators did not have any food of substance and there was no furniture in the home other than dirty beds. Mayner told officers that his children had not been officially enrolled in school for two years.

Officers worked with community partners for clothing, personal items, shoes and school supplies as well as a large amount of food, water, sustainable milk and other substantive things to eat. Officers also worked to have the children re-enrolled into school and worked to get furniture for the home. Department of Children and Families was also contacted and made a formal report.

On Nov. 6, Sarasota Police officers conducted a welfare check on the three children at the same home because officers received complaints that the children had not been in school. When officers arrived at the home, Mayner said his three children were not at school and were asleep inside. Mayner allowed officers inside the home.

Once inside the home, officers observed several cockroaches running across the floors and walls of the home and wood rot in the interior doors and cabinets and a strong odor of mold. There was trash on the floors, dining room table and countertops in the kitchen. All the bedrooms were dirty with old spills from food debris or trash.

There were raw patties and barely any edible food inside the fridge or cabinets for the children to have. Officers noted there were more alcoholic beverages for Mayner in the two fridges than edible food for the children. Mayner also told officers that one of his children was bitten by their dog last night and was not taken to receive medical care.

Throughout the case, there have been several attempts by Sarasota Police officers to assist and provide Mayner with cleaning supplies and perishable food. Mayner was arrested and was taken to Sarasota Police headquarters to be interviewed. During the interview, Mayner gave DCF agents consent to a drug test. The drug test was positive and showed Mayner had methamphetamines in his system. Mayner was then transported to the Sarasota County Jail.

This was a coordinated effort of the Homeless Outreach Team, Criminal Investigations Division, Community Relations Unit, Traffic Unit, Patrol Division, Sarasota Housing Authority, Church of Palms Food Bank, Alta Vista Elementary School, Sarasota County School Board Police, Sarasota County Animal Services and the Resurrection House.

Florida law requires any individual who suspects that a child has been abused by any person to report that to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The abuse hotline is 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Any allegations a child was abused or neglected by a caregiver will be investigated by the Florida Department of Children and Families, while allegations of child abuse by someone other than a caregiver will be accepted at the hotline and immediately electronically transferred to the appropriate local law enforcement agency where the child lives.