But I am to beat her ass, so go ahead. >> She asked for help. I appreciate it. >> She was like, "Can you please help me?" And like quietly like I >> Put the gas on her head. >> She has marks on her wrists and on her her like ankles where that's [music] consistent with being tied to a chair. >> It's just before 9:00 a.m. in Marion County, Florida, where police respond to a report of a runaway juvenile that is about to lead to a sinister [music] discovery. >> I don't mind the walk. I sit in that damn car all day. >> As the deputy makes her way to the front porch of the home, [music] she's informed that the missing girl was last seen wearing a bathing suit around 7:00 a.m. before family [music] members share some alarming alleged history. >> And if you go through there's a little opening right there and you can walk around the perimeter of the house. Okay. >> Not in a bathing suit. >> No, she probably got on different clothes. >> You don't know. >> She ran down the highway in pouring rain. >> Cuz she likes to >> She did not >> When was the last time she made any homicidal statements? >> She'll make I don't know about homicidal. That's where you hurt somebody? >> Mhm. >> Last night she ended up killing her dad in the house. >> What did she say? >> Cuz the cop was like, "What are you doing this guy?" Well, there's a whole story I got out and I didn't even die and I could have had my phone. And that's why I had to beat her ass. Then She don't want to hurt herself. She doesn't. She never has. It's just people >> Other people. >> No, she did with the tongue situation. >> When was the last >> to make wounds on herself. >> So, one time the fire department was there. I think this is right when >> The daughter was in the psych ward. >> The cops. She made >> She had a hole in her tongue. >> Okay. >> That's >> But she like did it so like they could she could blame it on cuz sometimes she'll do injuries and blame it on >> Yeah, when we had to pick up stitches she was stealing tricks and dollars from the school. I don't know, baby. You went back and told the teachers like say that she >> Deputies identify the woman seen here as 57-year-old Tammy Coffin, the adoptive mother of the missing teen, who admits to quote [music] beating her after she says the teen threatened to burn the house down. But officials are about to learn [music] there may be much more to the story as the investigation continues. >> Tammy, help me. >> They know where they used to live but it's but it's her way of not picking up stitches. Okay. She We're paying the $1,000 fine that she did. >> Yeah. >> And then she did the $50. We have to pay that back and she didn't >> Does she So she has no phone? >> No. >> No. Yeah, I got her tablet here and on my phone. >> And all the computers are here. >> Next, another deputy arrives at the home. >> Let's get her out of here for a little bit and I'll be back in >> What's going >> Let's get her out of here for a little bit. >> So what's going on? >> Um So the last thing I saw was at 7:00. We were making her wear a two-piece bathing two-piece bathing suit in the house just to make sure she didn't have any weapons on her. They don't know if she took clothes with her when she left. convinced that it's But she's convinced that she's on her way to school. Um but she doesn't have a phone to get a ride or anything. >> What school she goes to? College. >> While investigators begin looking for the teen, another deputy is waved down by a concerned couple near a convenience store in the area. >> Uh we just want to help. She asked for help. >> I appreciate it. >> like, "Can you please help me?" And like quietly like I >> Got a gash on her head. >> Her head is busted. It's okay. Just tell him the truth. Be honest with him. Maybe he can take you to your daughter's house or something. >> We'll figure it out. I appreciate it. No, I appreciate it. >> Deputies positively identify the teen seen here as the [music] missing juvenile and note a visible head injury alongside ligature marks on her wrists [music] and ankles. >> You okay? >> How'd that happen? >> Because I was tied in the chair with What's it called? Not measuring tape, it's this white >> 55-37 I'm 10-12 of the cell 9. >> Like this stuff that you put on your arms, there's marks to it. >> That's you. I'll be right next to the Scramble Town store. >> I was there and then she threw like this portable charger at me and it got my head. I told her I was bleeding, she said, "Why would you think I would care if you were bleeding?" And she said And then she said how it she was going to She She was going to kill me today and I felt scared, so I ran away. I was so scared. I wasn't even in clothes or nothing. I just got these on. I didn't even get shoes on. I ran for like >> 37 and 10-12 on the way back. >> Okay. >> The teen makes disturbing allegations against Tammy, accusing the 57-year-old of tying her to a chair with [music] zip ties, threatening to kill her and throwing a cell phone charger at her head. Moments later, deputies at the home informed Tammy [music] that her adoptive daughter has been found. >> All right, we found her. >> What? >> She's at the Scramble Town store. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Where did you Where is she? Oh. >> I got to go. I got to go down there. My partner found her. >> Really? >> Mhm. So apparently she has a head injury, so >> Really? >> Yeah, I don't know what the dealio is, but if you want to grab >> Tammy, we got >> Okay. >> Tammy, we found her. Scramble Town store, near Kelly's. Come out here, please. >> Why was she at the I don't >> And she has a head injury. >> Not my name. That's not what we're saying. We're just saying >> No. She She's got a head injury, so the medics are on their way if you want to come see her. I don't know. Okay, I'll meet you guys down there. >> As the suspect and deputy make their way to the victim's location, one official continues speaking with the teen. >> 10-54 on signal zero. 10-54 on Kilo. Can you have medics respond reference to a head injury to the signal eight. >> Her hands are tied up. She had to kick her seat. >> Where's your wrists at? Let me see them. >> I don't know if it's still on my ankle. Yeah, it's still on my ankle. >> Okay. All right. Go ahead and eat your food. Sit tight, okay? We'll deal with it. Thank you. All right. Thank you guys. I don't I can't say yes or no, okay? Because of what's happening, we got a lot of investigating to do. All right. Slipped her arm? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Go ahead and eat your food. 55-37, Marine. Can you have 6902 respond to my location? Yeah, sure. Absolutely. We'll come. You're welcome. >> And my head's still bleeding, too. >> Yeah, I got medics coming to check out your head, okay? No, she actually got into a car with somebody and they saw me I was coming this way. I just pulled over and they pulled off the side. There might be there might be like some way more to this than what this is. She has an injury on her head. She was tied up all night. Hey. I got a brief story from her saying that she was tied up with cord last yesterday to this morning. And um to get loose she like she hit her head trying to get loose out of the chair. And then she was able to get loose and she ran away. And she has marks on her wrists and on her her like ankles where that's consistent with being tied to a chair. So, this is going to be a little more. She's like definitely afraid to go back to that house. >> Now, a female officer arrives to speak with the victim who continues [clears throat] making disturbing allegations against Tammy. >> Hang on. You're not in trouble. You're not in trouble. Can you tell me what's going on? >> I did you something bad and I get that the book took like these things to my wrist tied my wrists behind my back. I was in a chair sitting and then tied my legs to the bottom of the chair. I was and then she threw something at me and it it got my head. My head hurts. I don't want to touch it. It hurts. >> Can you pull your hair back and >> Okay, I see it. >> And then she said, "I'm um I should kill you cuz she said how she hates me and stuff." And then >> It's awful. >> I I got scared so I didn't wasn't even have these clothes on. I had nothing on but a bra and underwear. >> Please, no. >> So, that happened again? >> Um yeah, probably. >> Yeah. >> Now, the suspect herself arrives on scene leaving the victim visibly shaken. >> Where is the victim? >> How you doing? >> She's reporting a thing. >> I just got to have you hold back here for a minute. She >> Okay. She's got She's telling us some stuff. We got medics coming up here to check her out cuz she has an injury to her head. >> All right. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. I can get her back. I don't >> If you want, we can bring her back there whenever whenever we're ready. >> If she's calling the medics and then the hospital takes her, you know? This isn't the first time. >> This isn't the first time what? >> But she's done this. We got her work with a step program. The step program, what do you call it? >> Okay. >> And What did you say about the head injury? >> Hm? >> What did you say about the head injury? >> What she saying? >> Yeah. No, but did she get her on the way because I did feel something on the chest. I don't know if I got her or if she got it on the way. >> Well, I don't know. The The other deputy's talking to her. >> All right. And then my I might have gotten her then, but I admit to beating her. I said over and over and she said my friend called 911. So, she got marks on her back. And the head injury it may or may not be me. So, when she got that tooth stuck on my chest, and she was sitting over there, but she didn't say anything. So, I don't know if it's me or from the woods. >> Okay. >> So, but I'm not denying beating her ass. >> Okay. >> So, she may have marks on her back, but me on the chest, that >> Okay. >> I'm not going to deny that. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Well, that Our policy we just have to have her checked out. We'll bring her back to the house. Um if that's I know the dep- the deputy's going to come talk to you or you can sit right here. It's up to you. >> Just stay here. >> Okay. Just sit tight for me. >> Tammy again admits to beating the teen before the juvenile makes some admissions of her own. >> It was a rope. >> Yeah. Was it rope or was it plastic or what What was it? >> It was like plastic. I forgot what it's called. The things that are like >> Like when you pull them and they get tighter? >> Yeah. >> A zip tie? >> Mhm. >> Okay. And they make that little zip >> Mhm. >> And what chair was it? >> It was a blue chair. It's They're zip tied against it. I had to slide through it cuz it was really tight. >> Mhm. >> So I had to go back. >> We're investigating, but probably not. Okay. >> My head's like really hurting. She's done this before, too. It's just I never said anything cuz she has other kids and I don't want her to get into jail. >> Well, it's not fair for you to be treated like that. Okay. So I'm glad you did say something. You said you did something bad. Look, I'm not investigating criminally. I just want to know. >> I stole a phone to play games on it. >> Okay. Did you really steal it, though? >> Yeah. >> Whose was it? >> I don't know. It was >> Okay. You gave it back, though? >> Yeah. >> She tried to burn the house down last night. Did you try and burn the house down last night? >> I swear I didn't. >> Did you say you were going to? >> Uh I agreed to I I agreed to it because if I would have said no, she would have said, "Um you're lying to me and you don't lie to me or you're going to get with the belt." She But instead of the belt, instead of using the belt, she used this wooden this wood thing. It's from a game. She uses this wood thing. I have marks on me from it. I did When she did hit me here, but that mark's gone now. I just have proof on this on my butt now. That she hit me with the wooden thing. It's like a wood game board. >> Oh. She hit you with that? And what do you mean you agreed to? What did you agree to? >> She said, "You'd probably be happy to burn us all alive if just to get a phone." And first I was like, "No." And she was like, "Don't lie to me." And And she was like, "You better tell me the truth." Like, "It's me." Cuz I had to I I didn't want to get any more >> Did you have Did you have a lighter on you? Did >> I didn't have anything on me. I just I took the chair. >> Okay. What made her tie you to the chair? >> Cuz she felt unsafe, I guess, with me. >> What What started that? >> From me saying it's me on that. She I don't really know, but she She's also stressed a lot. So, like So, like cuz yesterday she fell to the ground. It took us a while for her to wake up. Um And then she was saying that she didn't want me how she would regret skinning me. I don't want to get her in trouble. It's just I don't want to eat there. >> I know. >> In a later forensic interview, the victim detailed the days [music] leading up to her escape, telling detectives that Tammy allegedly forced her to gather grass in the yard as a punishment. [music] And said when she failed to pick up a certain amount in the allotted time, she was hit with a wooden cribbage game board and forced to shower in [music] the rain. According to the victim, that was hours before she said she was caught with [music] someone else's cell phone and forced to wear what the family refers to as {quote} "stealing clothes" consisting of baggy, uncomfortable clothing >> [music] >> before she was made to sleep on the front porch. The victim went on to say she was then allowed inside to sleep in the bathroom when she was again caught on [music] a cell phone. That was when, according to an incident report, the victim said Tammy allegedly ordered another [music] family member to retrieve zip ties from a barn and tied the victim to a chair before attempting to deprive [music] her of sleep by throwing a charger at her head. But, surprisingly, deputies said around midnight, in [music] between the bathroom incident and the alleged zip tie detainment, Tammy suffered a medical episode that prompted [music] an emergency response. Next, one deputy gets a chance to speak with Tammy further. >> I don't I don't I couldn't really understand what she was saying. >> If she got something to burn out there. >> Yeah, she didn't mention anything about tire to a chair. Um but she did say that if she has marks on her, she's she's probably the one who put it there cuz she beat her ass last night because she was trying to burn the house down. >> I'm going to ask her more about the match and the Hey, tell me more about how she tried to burn the house down. >> Well, she was talking about it. And wanting her phone. >> Talking about a house. What was she saying? >> Um It'd be all right cuz I don't think there's anything I can say and went to the closet like came back and just like they yelled at me because of the phone situation again. She comes back out to me after so long and I see mold in there and this paper and everything else so I like doing that. >> In where? >> In her pockets. And I checked her and she told me and I asked what she was going to do and he all right yeah y'all got to leave and play her. I made her sleep in the bathroom. And regarding the head injury, I made an accidental injury and she still fought by letting me in the chest cuz she was sitting in front of it. >> Yeah. >> I don't know. But I know I beat her ass and I meant to that. If I let her have her way >> Did she Did she light a lighter? Did she I just need more detail on that. >> Not yet but she said I'm burning the house. In the past. >> She tried to light the perfume bottle one time and she Okay, but what about last night? >> I'm I'm talking about She had that. She hadn't had quite the chance when I caught her and she said that statement to me. That's when I took everything away. The statement alone and then having a lighter and paper all wadded up there. >> Verbatim what was the statement if you can remember. >> If y'all die died in the fire and I can have her. I was like Have all my electronics. She thinks I'm being mean cuz I won't let her have all the electronics. She thinks I'm mean. She got to do long water drill. I'm hiding in fire. And she told her sister that I made her repeat what she said to my sister. >> I don't know. She's going to stand in the long term thing. >> I don't know what she says when she all done with >> fire. >> In this house fire. And she would take out his stuff. >> Um next thing is she was sleeping in the chair. >> Mhm. >> She was sleeping in the chair so she did stuff off her nightstand. She said it might have accidentally hit her. Um she was going to beat her ass all this night. I don't know what to make of that. Um >> So they were tied to the chair? >> Yeah. And I have a mind of her so I'm not sleeping. >> Oh yeah. >> Um >> I'm wondering if you're transported or I mean it doesn't need stitches. It's just a little cut. >> Yeah. >> Where was she in the Let's say she was when she was throwing stuff. >> Sitting in the chair. >> Sitting in Sitting in the chair? >> Mhm. >> Okay. And it just happened to be at her direction. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, no. I don't buy that. >> I don't either. >> You can't tie a kid to a chair. >> I can't. >> And do that. That's And then beat her while she's in the chair. Is that what she said she was beating her or I mean she We really don't know that far anyway. >> No, we don't. But let me ask Um so when you were sitting in the chair hit you other than your head? >> Yeah. She could like punching me or when she walked by she'd slap me. >> When she'd walk by she'd slap you. How would she slap you? >> She'd do this, this. >> As you're sitting in the blue chair? Okay. So I saw the the blue chair. Can you explain how you were tied to it? >> Um like this is the chair. >> Okay. >> And >> Are you facing you're facing away from the bird cage or you facing out towards the bed? >> Out towards the bed. >> Okay. >> So like this is the chair and this is the bed. >> Okay. >> So like this my feet wasn't like this. They had to be like this she said so I she saw me. My feet were tied both legs um to the bottom part. >> Okay. >> And my hands were behind me. >> How many zip ties did you have on? >> Four. >> So each So one around your each ankle? >> Two. Two. No, I don't know how much. I don't know. >> That's okay. That's okay. Um >> Now one deputy begins documenting the victim's injuries before making another alarming discovery. >> And then I see your wrists. >> Um >> I see you're shaking. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> I'm going to do this. You're okay. >> In an off-camera moment the deputy says the victim revealed even more significant bruising before another official arrives on scene. >> Is it difficult to walk on? >> It is. >> How traumatic was it on your right buttock? >> Yeah, man. >> I would call her >> It's down. >> Yeah. >> Mom admitted to it. She's like I beat her ass last night. >> Okay. >> I was like Did that >> Um >> She failed to mention that she had zip tied her to the chair in the bedroom. That she has marks from. >> Yeah. >> She also used like um a wooden thing a knob. I don't know what it was but it was a piece to a game. She just showed me her right and left butt cheeks and both of them are purple. I mean both. >> Mhm. >> Um she's got zip tie marks on both wrists, on both ankles. >> And >> on the head. >> And then she would also throw things when she was tied to the chair. Was throwing stuff off of her nightstand. >> Mhm. >> Um and it hit her on the head and cut her. It's It's small, but it's still there. >> Right. Do they look like the zip tie marks? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. And then she also said while she was zip tied to the chair, mom would come by and smack her in the face with >> Punch her in the chest. So there's >> With a supervisor now on scene, the deputies continue talking to the victim who begins to lay out the alleged timeline of events. >> Where did you sleep last night? >> Um it First it was on the porch. Um >> You slept on the porch? >> Um in the bathtub. And and then after in the bathtub >> This is >> That's when she tied me to to the chair. I was there overnight um after I came out of the off the porch then in the bathtub. >> Do you know what time that was? It's okay if you don't. Okay. Um >> Do I Do I have to go back, right? >> Oh, we're not. Okay. Um one step at a time. >> Like was she able to get out of the zip ties or did she untie you out of the zip ties? I did Did you escape out of the zip ties or did she untie you out of the zip ties? >> I escaped. >> You escaped. Okay. Were they all sleeping? >> They were sleeping when she said >> before off the porch. >> want me going to sleep on the thing so she told me to put my head down and she said, "I'm going to pretend to sleep and if you're sleeping, I'm going to throw something at you to wake you up." And this time she was actually sleeping so I probably been trying I was trying to get it hurt a lot. Cuz this one and this one were the two tightest ones. >> Okay. >> These two I was able to slip out of, but these ones I worked at least 10 minutes before I could get them off. I went and and hid and then the dog and then that's when I escaped. >> Okay. All right. Hold on. >> You're safe now. >> The teen was released to the Department of Children and Families and later placed into the custody of a relative, according to an incident report. Next, Tammy gets the deputies attention before revealing her feelings on the situation. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I didn't know it was going to be coming. I can't take it anymore. >> Yeah. >> I really can't. I don't think this is going to take you forever to get a half chance. Isn't it like she was going to do it >> We're working on it. We're waiting on a call back from DCF. Yep. >> I don't understand it. I mean, I don't understand. I'm broken. I can't I can't deal with this. I can't I got to keep her out of this place. I'm emotional right now. My husband hates >> Okay. >> I'm just letting him babysit while I watch her. >> Yeah. >> Just hang tight for us. Um it'll be a little bit. >> I feel bad for her. >> Mhm? >> I feel bad for >> I feel bad for her, too. It doesn't matter if you have mental issues or the kid. You don't need to This is not how you deal with that. >> Mhm. >> You get them help. >> All right, you guys are free to go right now. Um I'm taking her to the Kimberly Center. Um and DCF >> I called them. They said they wouldn't take her. >> I I don't know. >> them earlier. They said they wouldn't take her. >> Probably cuz we're law enforcement. Um >> Am I being arrested? >> No, not at this time. >> This is not at this time. >> No. So, um taking her to the Kimberly Center. And I never tell anybody no, by the way. Um But yeah, go home and just be available at your phone. Okay. Thank you. >> other questions? >> And I'm not just bad and she's probably staying. I'm trying to get her counsel and then we'll let you guys know. Exactly, cuz ain't she said in six months it'll be off? >> Yeah. Just be available to your phone. And what was what was your question, honey? >> Is there going to be an investigation? >> On DCS, probably. >> She not be removed if I'm arrested, right? >> I don't I don't know. >> I'm in the 16 and up. >> I'm their juvenile, so I mean, technically, but I see that she yeah. So. But. We're not going there yet. Okay. >> In a later interview, one detective said that Tammy eventually admitted to zip tying the victim to a chair and beating her with a cribbage board. The next day, deputies catch up with the suspect outside of a swimming facility, where they reveal she's not getting away so easily. >> You have anything on you that's going to poke me, stick me, hurt me? >> No. >> Anything in your pockets? >> No. >> I'm going to search your car. Your bra? Underwire? Sports bra? >> Should I take off my bra? >> No, you're good. >> I'm going to go to the school scene. >> Tammy was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm and booked into the Marion County Jail. Court records show the 57-year-old pleaded no contest to the charge, but a judge withheld formal adjudication. She was sentenced to five years of probation, 300 hours of community service, ordered to have no contact with the victim, and required to complete a parenting course and a batterers intervention program. Subscribe now for easier access to the latest from Law & Crime Body Cam.