Taylor Knoop, DeLeon Springs Father, Arrested After Staging Photos of Children with Drugs, Guns, and Beer [PHOTOS]

DeLeon Springs, Florida — A Florida father, Taylor Jordan Knoop, 27, has been arrested and charged with child neglect after allegedly staging disturbing photographs of his young children surrounded by drugs, firearms, and alcohol.

According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted after receiving several digital photos depicting Knoop’s children — an infant and a toddler — posed in dangerous scenes involving a Glock-style handgun, marijuana, and beer.

In one image, a baby girl appears with a Michelob Ultra beer bottle resting on her stomach. In another, she is seen holding what appears to be a handgun. A third photo reportedly shows the child clutching a large bag containing what investigators believe to be about a pound of marijuana.

Authorities said the photos, some dating back up to three years, were shared by a concerned individual who reported the matter to child welfare officials.

 

When deputies arrived at Knoop’s residence, they found the home unsafe and unsanitary, describing exposed electrical wiring, unfinished plywood walls, and a partially missing ceiling, according to the arrest report.

Knoop admitted to knowing about the photos and confirmed the marijuana was real, although he claimed it belonged to someone else. He also insisted that the images were “just a joke.”

Investigators say Knoop denied taking most of the photos but admitted to staging at least one. He was charged with child neglect based on both the photographic evidence and the hazardous living environment.

Court documents further reveal that when confronted by a former partner about one of the photos, Knoop allegedly replied, “OK, you act like I care — it wasn’t my kid.”

The father’s arrest followed deputies recognizing him and his residence from prior incidents.

A post on the Daytona Beach Mugshots Facebook page included Knoop’s arrest details, with one commenter alleging that the children’s mother had also been arrested for similar offenses, though police have not confirmed her identity.

Knoop has since posted a $10,000 bond and pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 20.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has since placed the children in the custody of relatives.