Fort Pierce police arrested Gwendolyn Rolle, 59, on five counts of child neglect after discovering children in her care lacked adequate food and access to bathroom facilities. Rolle had been serving as a foster parent to five children ranging from 4 to 9 years old, whom their father had placed in her custody. Officers responded to her home on June 2 following reports of child abuse.
When police arrived at the residence, Rolle's daughter answered the door and indicated that abuse was occurring in the home. According to the arrest affidavit, the daughter was reluctant to speak openly because Rolle was a well-known figure in the community. The investigation revealed severe neglect and abuse of the foster children. Multiple children were denied access to a bathroom and forced to use a bucket instead. The children bathed on the front porch with a garden hose despite a functioning bathroom being available in the home. However, that bathroom was locked and completely inaccessible to the foster children in Rolle's care.
Officers documented physical abuse indicators as well. One child displayed a bruise on their chest, and the children reported being frequently struck in the face or head during disciplinary situations. In a particularly troubling moment during police questioning, one child alleged that Rolle, who had arrived while officers were present, threatened them by saying that once the police left, "you're going to get it." The children also reported food deprivation, stating they regularly missed dinner or went to bed hungry. Major Michael Santiago of the Fort Pierce Police Department noted that the foster children depended on meals provided by neighbors to meet their basic nutritional needs. "These are true signs of neglect," Santiago said. "For any child to experience something like that is absolutely disgusting and tragic."
The situation was further complicated by the fact that two of the children are non-verbal and attend a special needs school. Despite being responsible for their care, Rolle could not even identify the name of the school these children attended. Following the police investigation, the Department of Children and Families assumed custody of all five children and removed them from the home. Rolle was released on bond pending further proceedings.