Trial Date Set for Tracy Ferriter in Aggravated Child Abuse Case Involving Locked Structure

Tracy Ferriter, accused of aggravated child abuse for allegedly locking an adopted child in an 8x8 structure in the garage of her Jupiter home, is set to go to trial on July 12, 2024. Circuit Judge Howard Coates granted the new trial date following a request from Ferriter's defense attorney, Marc Shiner, who returned to the case after withdrawing in December.

During a status hearing on Tuesday, Shiner informed the court that he had reviewed the case's discovery materials and needed additional time to prepare for Ferriter's defense. “We want to avoid any potential appellate and due process issues,” Shiner stated. Despite objections from state prosecutors, Judge Coates agreed to the July trial date, emphasizing the importance of a thorough preparation.

Tracy Ferriter faces serious charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment, and child neglect. Her husband, Timothy Ferriter, was convicted of the same charges in October and sentenced to five years in prison. The Ferriters were arrested in February 2022 after Jupiter police discovered that they had allegedly confined one of their four children for extended periods in a locked structure within their home's garage in Egret Landing, a residential neighborhood.

The confined child, whose identity is protected, testified at Timothy Ferriter’s trial, describing the experience as “dehumanizing.” The structure, which could only be unlocked from the outside, was equipped with a bucket for the child's toilet needs. The Ferriters claimed they were struggling to manage the child's behavioral issues, which included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reactive attachment disorder.

The Ferriters' defense argued that these behavioral conditions, which can make it challenging for children to form bonds and accept love, contributed to their actions. “The teen’s long-standing behavioral issues made it difficult for the Ferriters to cope,” stated defense attorneys during Timothy's trial.

Since her husband’s conviction, Tracy Ferriter has been living with a family friend in Palm Beach Gardens. The couple sold their Egret Landing home in March 2023 for $760,000, approximately $50,000 more than their purchase price in December 2021.

Timothy Ferriter is currently seeking release on bond while he appeals his conviction. He appeared before Judge Coates on January 11, but a decision regarding his release has not yet been made. “We will provide a written ruling at a later date,” Coates said.

As Tracy Ferriter’s trial approaches, both the defense and prosecution prepare to revisit the troubling allegations. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the detailed accounts of the child’s confinement. The July trial will further explore the complexities of the Ferriters' defense and the impact of the child's behavioral issues on the case.

Tracy Ferriter’s upcoming trial will be a critical moment in addressing these serious allegations and determining the legal outcomes for her actions. The legal proceedings underscore the importance of thorough preparation and the need for careful consideration of all aspects involved in child abuse cases.

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