William Conner (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly subjecting a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl to what authorities described as “heinous punishment” and cruel mistreatment.
William Conner, 42, of Ormond Beach, faces two counts of child abuse and two counts of child neglect, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Samantha Lucas, 33, was also arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood strongly condemned the allegations following Conner’s arrest. “The year’s not over but this P.O.S. is on track to be ‘Scumbag of the YEAR,'” Chitwood wrote.
Investigators said the 12-year-old boy appeared to have been Conner’s primary target. The boy was allegedly deprived of food and water and forced to stay inside a detached laundry room without air conditioning, running water or access to a bathroom.
Authorities said the child was made to use a bucket as a toilet despite Florida’s high summer temperatures. The boy also made disturbing allegations about the food and drinks he was given while confined in the room.
“Additionally, the boy said Conner fed him food contaminated with animal feces and gave him water mixed with urine,” deputies wrote. “When the boy learned what he ate, he vomited.”
According to investigators, Conner laughed after the child became sick.
The boy also reported that Conner struck him with a studded belt, electronic cords and plastic spatulas. Deputies alleged that Conner used a surveillance camera equipped with two-way audio to monitor the laundry room.
On some nights, Conner allegedly forced the child to remain awake and used the camera’s audio function to “torment him if he fell asleep.”
Investigators said the 14-year-old girl was also subjected to some of the same alleged treatment, although authorities described the younger boy as Conner’s “main target.”
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the case in May after receiving a referral from the Florida Department of Children and Families. Detectives later determined that there was probable cause to arrest Conner and Lucas.
The pair were taken into custody on Thursday, July 23, and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail. Both have since been released after posting bond.
Conner is reportedly scheduled to appear in court on August 11, while Lucas is due to be arraigned on August 18. The charges against them remain allegations, and neither suspect has been convicted.
Authorities confirmed that the two children are no longer in Conner’s custody and have been placed in a safe environment.
