Matthew Flavell and Roselou Warren-Flavell ought to go down.  Both of them, not just her.  Even in 2016, my own case, it was ridiculous as I was just accused of punching Chris in the face and that’s all.  Look what happened to me over the following six years.  OMG.  If they both come out of this with nothing in the end that is horrible.  My poor children.  All along i’ve posted YouTube videos of how my ex would constantly stand on the sidelines of incidents and I had to take the bullets for everything that happened with the children and within our marriage.  Just like then, the coward he was, the more coward he is now.

Facts Which Support Shelter:

1. On July 9, 2022, Titusville Police Department (hereinafter “TPD”) Officer Darius Wilder responded to the home due to the stepmother, Roselou Warren-Flavell (hereinafter “the stepmother”) attacking the child Caitlyn. The stepmother was arrested and charged with felony child abuse, citing the stepmother, “kicked the victim…struck her multiple times in her head, back, and chest…kicked her again in the leg as the victim tried to crawl away in an attempt to stop being hit. Roselou continued her assault… stood over her and stomped on her chest… picked up a metal rice cooker pan and maliciously threw it… and kicked her for a third time.”

A video camera in the home captured the abuse including the stepmother throwing a rice cooker at the child Caitlyn, hitting her, pushing her to the ground, and stomping her in the stomach. It also showed the stepmother holding a butcher knife at the child. It was clear the stepmother was very angry and yelling but there is no sound. The child did not fight back at any time. TPD delayed calling in a report for a week.

2. On July 15, 2022, the Florida Abuse Report Allegations were received: On 7/9/22, the stepmother and Caitlyn were involved in an altercation. The stepmother punched Caitlyn in the face and threw rice at her. The stepmother entered the kitchen of their home and attacked Caitlyn while she was washing dishes. The stepmother first kicked Caitlyn in her side. Stepmother then struck Caitlyn multiple times in her head, back, and chest before Caitlyn fell to the kitchen
floor. While Caitlyn was on the kitchen floor, the stepmother kicked Caitlyn again in her right leg. Caitlyn crawled away from the stepmother attempting to stop being hit. The stepmother continued her assault and started yelling at Caitlyn while she was still on the kitchen floor. The stepmother walked over to Caitlyn, standing over her. The stepmother stomped on Caitlyn’s chest with her right leg and then walked over to the kitchen counter. While at the kitchen counter, the stepmother picked up a metal rice cooker pan and maliciously threw it, hitting Caitlyn on her right leg.

As the stepmother was ending her assault on Caitlyn and leaving the kitchen, she kicked Caitlyn, for a third time while she was on the ground. Caitlyn told the father about the incident, and he saw the altercation on the security camera in the home. Law enforcement was called. The stepmother fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. The stepmother was located by law enforcement and was arrested for child abuse. The stepmother is being held without bond.

According to the stepmother, she went into the kitchen to get something to eat. When the stepmother entered the kitchen, she saw the kitchen was dirty with ants, bugs, and rice everywhere. She saw Caitlyn in the kitchen and started yelling at her about why the kitchen was dirty. The stepmother walked up to Caitlyn, pushed her up against the countertop, and Caitlyn pushed the stepmother away from her. Caitlyn fell to the ground. The stepmother went to get a plate out of the cabinet to get some rice out of the rice cooker. The stepmother saw that the rice cooker pan was cold and got more upset and threw the pan in Caitlyn’s direction, but not hitting her with it. The stepmother then left the house and went for a walk.

The stepmother stated that she normally pushes the children or yells at them when they do not do what she asked them to do.

On an unknown date, the stepmother held a knife to Caitlyn’s throat. The stepmother claims that she did not hold a knife to her throat, that she only threatened her with it.

Caitlyn has never told the father about other incidents with the stepmother, because she believes the stepmother would kill her. The stepmother does not believe what she has done is wrong, because she believes “it was developing
structure in the girl’s life”.

3. On July 15, 2022, CPI Hobbs met with the child Caitlyn at the family’s home. She still had a quarter sized green bruise on her left bicep. Caitlyn stated that on the night of the incident she was in the kitchen and the stepmother came in and saw an ant on the counter and got mad at her. The stepmother began kicking and hitting her. The stepmother then threw a rice pot at Caitlyn and then smashed a plate on the counter. The stepmother was then yelling cuss words at Caitlyn, the Father then came downstairs and the stepmother ran out of the house.

4. The child Caitlyn stated to CPI Hobbs that she has been choked by the stepmother and that the stepmother has held a knife to her throat and threatened her. Caitlyn stated that stepmother has used a ballpoint pen to stab them in the palm of the hands before until they bleed as a form of punishment. She stated that the stepmother uses a belt or a wooden block to hit her and her sister in the bottom or on their backs for discipline. Caitlyn also stated that stepmother has hit the child Ava in the face with the belt before.

5. The child Caitlyn also stated that she has been locked out of the house by the stepmother fornot listening. Caitlyn stated that at one point the stepmother starved her brother and he was not allowed to eat at the home. Caitlyn stated that she has told her father about the inappropriate discipline on multiple occasions, and the Father states that there is nothing he can do about it. Caitlyn confirmed that the abuse has been occurring since the stepmother and the Father got married in 2017.

6. CPI Hobbs also spoke with the child Ava. Ava stated that the stepmother has used a pen to pierce the palm of her hand and fingers as punishment, and she has scars from this punishment. Ava stated that stepmother hits her and her sister with a belt or with a wooden block for punishment. Ava stated that if the stepmother cannot reach her or she tries to run, the stepmother will grab her by the hair or hit and kick her. She stated that in one incident the stepmother hit her in the face with a belt. Ava stated she had a belt buckle mark in the forehead.

7. Ava stated her friends asked what happened at school when she was at St Theresa’s, and she was too scared to tell because the stepmother would threaten to hurt her and her siblings more if they told. Ava has been threatened with a knife by the stepmother and she has been cut when trying to get away from her. Ava stated that the stepmother told her if she cries during punishment the stepmother will stab her eyes out with a fork. Ava stated she has told her father what has been happening and he has witnessed it, but he does nothing to stop it.

8. CPI Hobbs spoke to the child Andrew who stated that this is not the first time that the stepmother has attacked his sisters. Andrew stated that stepmother has tried to hit him before, but he fights back when she comes after him. He stated that he has told his sisters to fight back but they won’t out of fear. Andrew stated that the stepmother has made the girls scrub the floors until their fingers bleed. Andrew stated that stepmother keeps locks on all doors and keeps the pantry locked. He stated when he gets in trouble that he is starved. Andrew stated the longest period she attempted to starve him was 3 months. If he got into the fridge, he would be beaten by the stepmother. He stated that he relied on his friends to bring him food or he would eat breakfast and lunch at school. Andrew stated that the stepmother uses objects and her hands to beat his sisters. He stated that his father is aware of it but does not do anything about it. He stated that stepmother will also hit his father and they fight often. He stated that the father says he’s going to divorce her and get a new house, but he has been promising the children that for years.

9. CPI Hobbs also spoke to the Father. The Father stated that he knew that the stepmother’s behavior has been inappropriate with the children, but he didn’t know what to do. He stated that he has witnessed many events of physical abuse but does not intervene because he willjust get hit too. The Father was asked why he didn’t report the stepmother or call 911 previously and he stated that he didn’t have proof. The Father stated that the kids aren’t telling him everything that is happening, though all three children have insisted that they bring the bizarre punishments to his attention regularly. He stated that he was told about the stepmother stomping the kids’ feet and pushing pens into their fingers. The father had no plan moving forward after the stepmother’s arrest. The Father said these behaviors have escalated in the last two years, but the last 6 months have been the worst. The Father stated that he has been debating giving the stepmother a second chance and cannot bring himself to fill out the divorce paperwork. CPI Hobbs advised the Father that if the stepmother is to return to the home, thechildren will not be allowed in the home due to the criminal no contact order.

10. On July 15, 2022, the children were all interviewed and had medical exams conducted by the Child Protection Team (hereinafter “CPT”) at the Children’s Advocacy Center in
Rockledge. The children Caitlyn and Ava confirmed the abuse they disclosed to CPI Hobbs. The Child Protection Team verified findings for physical abuse by the stepmother and failure to protect by the Father.

11. While at CPT, the child Ava also stated that the stepmother had used a fork to stab her in the palms of her hands if she did not eat her dinner fast enough and would be forced to eat an entire plate until she threw up. Ava stated that during the incident in which the stepmother threatened her with a knife, she held Ava against the wall and put the back side of the blade against her neck. Ava stated that in an attempt to get away from the stepmother, she cut her fingers tryingto push the knife away, and that she was afraid the stepmother might actually kill her. The Father was aware of the incident and did not intervene. Ava stated she does not like to talk
about it because she is afraid it will make it worse. She also stated that she has been locked inher room on multiple occasions. All the children’s bedroom doors have locks on the outsidewith keys and no door handle. The stepmother and the Father have access to the keys.

12. While at CPT, the child Andrew disclosed that he has also been locked in his room as punishment. After the interviews, CPI Hobbs asked Andrew why his sisters want to use different names. He stated that the stepmother picked new names for all the children (Andrew = Anthony, Caitlyn = Maxine and Ava = Riane) after they were removed from the Mother, and the stepmother only refers to each of the children by their “new” names. Andrew stated he refused to use his new name given by the stepmother and got into trouble for it.

13. On July 18, 2022, CPI Hobbs to the children’s adult sibling, Christopher Flavell. He stated that the stepmother always sought out the sisters instead of him and his brother. He stated that the stepmother was in control of the food in the home and kept the pantry locked. The stepmother stated that the locks on the outside of the bedrooms are for when the kids “get in trouble, they will be locked in.” Christopher stated that the stepmother kept lists and schedules for everything for the girls including when they are allowed to shower. He stated that she used physical discipline on his sisters. He stated that he has witnessed the stepmother hit his sisters with a closed fist. Christopher stated that the stepmother would decide who was well behaved enough that day to eat. He stated that she would withhold food as a punishment. He stated that there were multiple occasions in which the stepmother and the Father would go out to eat and leave the children behind with no dinner. He stated that the stepmother was violent and controlling of the Father.

14. CPI Hobbs spoke with the stepmother at the hotel she is residing in. She was bailed out of jail by the Father. She did not deny what occurred on July 9, 2022, but she denied some of the other physical abuse. She blames the children for their bad behaviors. She said that the child Caitlyn would annoy her by following her around all the time. She said the Father that does not help her with the house or discipline and is not attentive to her. She was not abused at all but was spoiled as a child.

15. On July 29, 2022, CPI Hobbs spoke with Mary McCrory (hereinafter “Ms. McCrory”), the principal of St. Theresa’s Catholic School. She stated that the girls were both very quiet kids and withdrawn. She stated that stepmother was very intense and was constantly riding the girls. Ms. McCrory stated that the stepmother “clearly wore the pants and the father rarely contributed.” Ms. McCrory stated that stepmother forced the girls to change their names, and that she constantly had concerns for the girls being in a home with the stepmother. Ms. McCrory stated that she was domineering and unpleasant to deal with, but all communications had to be through the stepmother not the Father. Ms. McCrory stated that she “feels so bad and didn’t want the kids to be stuck with the stepmother” due to her domineering personality. Ms. McCrory stated that the child Caitlyn was very ill when she attended St. Theresa’s and would constantly have nosebleeds, headaches, and at one point could not even walk. She along with other school members reported to stepmother about Caitlyn’s declining health and the stepmother and the Father denied there was an issue until Caitlyn passed out during first communion and 911 was called. Subsequently, Caitlyn was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

16. CPI Hobbs also spoke to Pam Scully (hereinafter “Ms. Scully”), a teacher at St Theresa’s Catholic School. Ms. Scully stated that the stepmother was very vocal and constantly pushed the girls to their limits. She stated that she had concerns for abuse but never had proof of it as the girls would not speak about their home life. Ms. Scully stated that since the Children left St Theresa’s in January 2021, they have been in the back of her mind, and she has always worried about them. Ms. Scully described the stepmother as a helicopter mom and stated that when the child Ava was doing school from home during the pandemic, the stepmother watched her through the at home security cameras and would yell at her during school time. Ms. Scully stated that the stepmother constantly pushed the children, and the father would not dare to contradict her, as if he was afraid of her. The stepmother made all decisions for the children.

Ms. Scully described Ava and Caitlyn as “very controlled children.” Ms. Scully stated that the Children would do anything to appease the stepmom, she assumed it was out of fear.

17. CPI Hobbs also spoke with Mrs. Mawn from St Theresa’s Catholic School who stated that the Father was very quiet and the stepmother dominated their family. Mrs. Mawn described the stepmother as erratic, one day being very over affectionate and the next day domineering and very mean to the children. Mrs. Mawn stated that the child Caitlyn previously attended St. Theresa’s and was pulled out in early 4th grade. She described Caitlyn as a funny, happy, and chubby little girl. Mrs. Mawn stated that when she returned in 2021, she did not recognize her. She described Caitlyn as subdued, frail, and almost sickly. Mrs. Mawn suspected something was going on with the stepmother but did not have any proof of it.

18. On August 2, 2022, CPI Hobbs met again with the family. The child Ava stated, “I am afraid of [Stepmother] when she hurts me.” When asked if her father knew about what was happening in the home she stated “He’s scared. He knows but he doesn’t do anything about it. I don’t really feel like he was protecting me.” She also stated that she feels the stepmother hates the dad because she is yelling at the Father daily.

19. CPI Hobbs also spoke with the child Caitlyn, who stated that since the July 9th incident, the stepmother has been watching the Father and the Children through their home cameras. Caitlyn stated that she can see the cameras moving in the home to see them when the Father is not near his phone. She stated the only other person who has access is the stepmother. Caitlyn stated that the stepmother has also been speaking to her through her (Amazon’s) Alexa telling her she needs to prepare herself for her first day of high school and keep up with her responsibilities. The child Caitlyn has unplugged the cameras and Alexa, but the Father turns them back on.

20. CPI Hobbs also followed up with the Father who stated that depending on how the criminal case goes and whether the stepmother is convicted of Child Abuse will determine whether he continues his relationship with her. The Father fails to recognize the threat that the stepmother poses to the Children. He also admitted to plugging the security cameras back in after the Children reported that the stepmother was watching them.

21. On August 3, 2022, CPI Hobbs spoke to Rebecca Gattenbein (hereinafter “Ms. Gattenbein”), the school counselor at Astronaut High School. Ms. Gattenbein stated that she knew the stepmother and the Children from taking their children to the same dance school, Kalon Dance Academy. Ms. Gattenbein stated that stepmother sat in the front and screamed at the Children to do better and spoke to them very poorly during dance lessons. Ms. Gattenbein stated that the stepmother never paid their bill, and they were eventually asked not to return. Ms. Gattenbein stated that she had concerns for the way the stepmother spoke to the children, but the Father never intervened.

22. CPI Hobbs also spoke to the State Attorney’s Office Prosecutor Julia Lynch, who stated that the Father has called over 10 times demanding that the charges against the stepmother be dropped as she did nothing wrong. The State Attorney’s Office confirmed they will be moving forward with pressing charges.

23. On August 4, 2022, CPI Hobbs notified the Father of the removal of the Children, he was emotionless just stating that he would grab the Children’s bags and send them out to the CPI. The Father stated that he had already had the Children pack their bags prior to being notified of the removal as he “suspected” a removal would be necessary. The Father did not deny speaking with the stepmother and admitted to calling the State Attorney’s Office over 10 times asking them to drop the charges in order for the stepmother to return home.

24. CPI Hobbs spoke again with the child Andrew, who also confirmed that the stepmother has been speaking to them through the Alexa and watching them through their home security cameras. Andrew stated that his father has been speaking to the stepmother over the phone and has heard her stating that she is working on making it up to the family. Andrew stated that he wished his father would not speak with her anymore and he understands the need for removal.

25. When speaking to the children Caitlyn and Ava during the removal, Caitlyn stated to CPI Hobbs that their father told them the day before that they were going to foster care and needed to pack bags. When asked if they were upset both children stated that they were going to miss their dogs. The children showed no emotion and almost had a sense of relief to them.