New documents released by the Florida Department of Children and Families show a troubled past of the family of 2-year-old Justin Polk, who was killed at an Orlando hotel last week.
The toddler was found unresponsive June 2 at the Countryside Inn and Suites, off Lee Road. Justin's mother, Merissa Anderson, and her boyfriend, Jonathan Charapata, were both arrested on child abuse charges.
In the documents released Thursday, DCF revealed the family had been investigated three times in the last two years, including in March — just a little over two months before Justin's death.
DCF first investigated the family in 2010, and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office investigated them again in 2013 and in March of this year.
The documents detailed those investigations, all three of which had been closed. DCF investigators said there was not enough evidence to show the family's children were at high risk. Justin's two siblings were taken into DCF custody after the 2-year-old died.
The investigations mostly centered on Anderson and the 2-year-old's father, Justin Polk Sr. They showed a history of domestic violence between the two, and that Anderson had an injunction against Polk Sr.
But despite that injunction, Anderson and Polk Sr. continued to live next to one another.
In the documents, investigators cited "concerns for the supervision of the children" because of the living situation, calling Anderson's home "disgusting."
Orange County deputies said the toddler's death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Deputies said Justin died while in Charapata's care, but neither Charapata, nor Anderson has been charged with the toddler's death.
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