Cops in Florida arrested Taylor Knoop after he allegedly staged photos of young kids holding a gun, a beer bottle and marijuana (Volusia County Sheriff's Office).
A Florida man apparently thought it would be funny to take photos of young children holding guns, beer and drugs — but cops in the Sunshine State thought it was no laughing matter.
Taylor Knoop, 27, stands accused of two counts of felony child neglect without great bodily harm, records show.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, a concerned citizen called the Volusia County Sheriff's Office after receiving photos of a child, roughly a year old, who was holding a bag containing about a pound of suspected marijuana.
Another photo showed a girl with a Michelob Ultra beer bottle propped up on her belly. In another, she appeared to be holding a Glock-type handgun, per the affidavit.
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Cops also found a screenshot showing an alleged text exchange between Knoop and a woman who expressed concern about the photo.
"OK, you act like I care it wasn't my kid," Knoop allegedly responded.
Investigators from the sheriff's office and the Department of Children and Families visited Knoop's home in DeLeon Springs to interview him. The kids' rooms appeared to be "under renovation" with the support beams and wires visible, per the complaint. One of the victims, along with two other kids, was living in the home and appeared to be in good health.
Asked about the photos, Knoop confirmed he was aware of them but denied that the marijuana and gun were his. Knoop said the photo with the child and beer bottle was a "joke," cops wrote. The defendant claimed he was in a different room when the pictures of the baby holding the Glock were taken. He said the photos involving one of the kids were from three years ago.
Deputies took Knoop into custody and took him to the Volusia County Jail, where he has since posted a $10,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty and is next slated to appear in court on Nov. 20.
DCF handed custody of the children to family members.