Around the Region

POLICE BEAT

Police: Man arrested in connection to shooting

Alachua County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a man after a shooting at a local apartment complex last week.

Andrew James Brown, 29, was being held at the Alachua County jail on Saturday on charges of aggravated battery and burglary while armed, jail records show. A $150,000 bond had been set for Brown's release following his arrest Friday.

Investigators allege Brown was involved in a break-in and shooting at Tower Oaks late Tuesday. An occupant at the home told officers a man forced his way into the residence, deputies had reported.

The intruder struggled with two people at the home. During a struggle, the gun went off and one man was shot in the leg.

The would-be robber reportedly demanded drugs when he entered the home, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Steve Maynard.

— Lise Fisher

STATE

Officials: 10 kids found living in filth; 2 arrested

FORT PIERCE — Two men were arrested after 10 children were found living in a home with feces and urine on the floor and cockroaches crawling over mattresses, authorities said.

Authorities entered the home after a 12-year-old girl was reported missing.

She was later found and returned home, but Rupert A. Thompson, 32, father of some of the children and stepfather to others, along with Kenron M. Thompson, 18, the children's cousin, were arrested and face felony child neglect charges.

They were released from the St. Lucie County jail on Friday after each posted a $2,500 bond.

The 10 children — aged 4 months to 12 years — lived there with Thompson, his nephew and his wife, who had been out of town for about three weeks, police said.

Officers noticed bugs and exposed electrical outlets in the children's two bedrooms. In the boys' room, roaches climbed out of rips in the bunk bed mattresses, police said.

In one bathroom, the floor was covered with urine and feces blocked up from the toilet, according to a police report.

Rotting food and dirty diapers had been left in the kitchen, police said.

The children were placed with foster families.

It was not immediately known whether the men had attorneys.

— The Associated Press