Florida restaurant manager uses secret signals to rescue abused children, police say

Florida police are calling an Orlando restaurant manager and waitress who are using secret signals to get a suspected abused child.

Flavaine Carvalho dismissed police after noticing worrying signs in a family she was serving on New Year’s Day in Ms. Potato Restaurant on South Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida.

Carvalho’s tip led to a police investigation that led to several charges of child abuse and neglect of the boy’s mother and stepfather.

The Orlando Police Department shared a video in which Carvalho recounted her experience.

She said the family came in like a ‘normal family’.

“I noticed the boy was denied food,” Carvalho said, “that was the first thing that caught my attention.”

Carvalho said she tried to ask the boy if something was wrong; the stepfather, Timothy Wilson II (34), apparently told Carvalho that it was okay and that the boy was going to eat at home after they left.

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING: We spoke to an Orlando restaurant manager who saw a family withhold food at a table. She noticed bruises on his body and created a sign to secretly ask the child if he needed help. When he said ‘Yes’, she called us. pic.twitter.com/U8m9MG1KUN

– Police in Orlando (@OrlandoPolice) 14 January 2021

“It was very strange to me,” Carvalho said, describing the boy as signs of abuse and neglect, including a scratch on his head. “I could see he was very quiet and sad.”

She tried to ask if he was not well and the boy nodded yes, “but he did not convince me,” Carvalho said.

She came back with a written sign and showed it behind his parents’ backs, and after multiple tries, “he nods his head yes,” Carvalho said.

She said she called 911 and police arrived shortly thereafter.

The boy’s stepfather was arrested that day and charged with one third degree of child abuse.

After a police investigation discovered much worse allegations and signs of abuse, the stepfather was arrested again on January 6 and charged with several charges of serious child abuse.

The boy’s mother, 31-year-old Kristen Swann, was also arrested on January 6 and is facing two charges of child neglect for failing to report the abuse.

“By saying something when she sees something, Mrs Carvalho has courage and care for a child she has never met before, and we are proud that someone like Mrs Carvalho lives and works in our community,” the police service in Orlando a statement.

Swann and Wilson did not return Friday for comment.