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Man Chains Himself to Power box to Save Daughter Save Email Print
Posted: 5:44 PM Nov 14, 2008
Last Updated: 5:44 PM Nov 14, 2008
Reporter: Josh Gauntt
Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com


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Tony Duncan has been chained since about 9:30 Thursday morning. His adopted daughter Makayla is wearing a trach-tube that allows her to breathe, she also has a feeding tube.

Makayla suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and cerebral palsy. In little Makayla's room she has five or six machines she uses to keep her alive and it takes power to keep them running.

The Duncan’s have been late on their gulf power bill for months, owing well over $900. The Duncan’s have asked gulf power for at least a week extension so they could make the payments, but gulf power denied that request.

We did learn around 5 p.m. Thursday that gulf power did give the Duncan’s until 11 a.m. on Friday to pay.

"I asked her could she sleep well at night and I want to know is my daughter not worth just a few days extension. I mean look at her she's going to die. She's 5 years old she will die without lights this is her room and you can see all of the machines in her room," Kathy Duncan, Makayla's adopted mother.

"They have tried going to the various agencies and various places for help and we've tried to help them, steer them in various places. They go for help but again at some point in time the public service commission won't allow us to arbitrarily put that burden on other customers," Ted Spangenberg, gulf power's Panama City District Manager said.

If you would like to help the Duncan family out, they have setup a special account for Makayla at People's First Community Bank. The account is in Makayla's brother Josh Duncan’s name.

People's first account number: 5428230

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Posted by: JJ Location: PSJ on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Why is the account in her brother's name, WHY ISN'T THE FATHER WORKING?

Posted by: Michael Location: PCB on Nov 15, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I agree with most everyone on this page. If you knew that you would have this issue you would be ready. I will work every job I can to support my family. We are all hurting so don't beg me for money when you are in the boat you are in because of your choices not mine. Gulf Power Cut The Power Off. I am not going to pay more for a low down dead beat!

Posted by: Rachel on Nov 14, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I think instead of wasting time drawing media attention to himself maybe he should get a job to try and support his family. I have 2 kids and would never put them in the situation this family is putting that child. Maybe child services should take a look at this situation. It's sad when a child's disablity is used to get things..SHAME ON THEM!

Posted by: Lee Location: Panama City on Nov 14, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I know Makayla and have had contact with her on numerous occasions. She is a medically fragile child, but she will not DIE immediately if "there are no lights" as her adoptive mother so eloquently puts it. She is NOT in danger of dying, but I think she IS in danger of these people's laziness and stupidity!!!! That man is not "saving" anyone--he's making an idiot of himself and his family. He should be ashamed.

Posted by: Jill Location: DeFuniak Springs on Nov 14, 2008 at 01:44 PM
You know I could work at the chicken plant or anywhere if it meant that I could provide for my family...I agree he needs to get out and get a job.. better yet don't pay the bill offer him a job and see what happens.

Posted by: Sabrina F Location: Panama City on Nov 14, 2008 at 01:10 PM
This is so sad that the father can get his sorry self out and get a job to make sure that his daughter is taking care of. I am 27 and I do without so my bills are paid and people don't worry about that. He just wanted to go on TV and make people feel sorry for him, well I do not. The goverment can't afford anymore dead beats!!! There so many lazy people out there that get food stamps, medicaid, and hand outs. Iam sick of giving up my tax dollars to people like him. Its tax payers that are hungry,tired and poor@!!!!!!!GET A JOB LOW LIFE

Posted by: Michael on Nov 14, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I think this is B.S... They shouldn' have taken on the burden of a handicap child if they couldn't afford her. They can't even take care of themselves. All they are looking for is a hand-out and me personally I'm tired of it. I am tired and have been working for 28 years but still have to get out there and make it for my family. He needs to get out there and find it too just like the rest of us hard working Americans do. Maybe D.C.F.S. needs to re-evaluate or investigate this family to see if the child is in the best of care with this non-working family. These people need to get off Gulf Power because I think they went above and beyond for these people. " GET A JOB TONY"!!!

Posted by: GC Location: Lynn Haven on Nov 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I can't believe that Gulf Power does not have a contingency plan to assist peopole with life and death situations such as this. If the only determination that Ted Spangenberg of Gulf Power can make is the sbove statement, then the situation needs to be taken to a higher manager within Gulf Power that can use some common sense in making decisions and not base them strictly on the bottom line and their potential loss of the almighty dollar! This is ridiculous!!!!!!!!

Posted by: guest on Nov 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM
As much as it is unfortunate that this little girl has to have machines to live on. These father doesn't do anything for this family, I personally live down the road from this family and they have loud parties at their house ALL THE TIME!!!! They can't afford to pay their light bill but yet they have the money to buy beer and stay drunk every weekend? Someone needs to have their priorites straight.

Posted by: Cindy Location: Panama City on Nov 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I agree with Keith, this is not the first time this family has had this problem. Why wasn't something done the first time. I am a single parent with 2 kids and would gladly help but what are they doing to help themselves. If he has time to chain himself to the powerbox he has time to look for any type of work that he is able to do.

Posted by: Miriam Location: Panama City on Nov 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM
I have durable medical equipment that requires the use of electricity and, God forbid, if I were to fall back on my power bill because I were not able to afford to pay it, I would be most grateful to those that might donate to my cause and I would pay whatever monies were given to me and apply it appropriately to what I owed, regardless of how I might feel about the high rate each month. God bless those who are able to help this little girl keep breathing!

Posted by: Jim Location: Panama City on Nov 14, 2008 at 09:08 AM
This on the same day that they have the nerve to get a rate hike.

Posted by: Lyle Location: Chipley, FL on Nov 14, 2008 at 07:56 AM
I know when I lived in Alabama, they were not allowed to cut off the power to a home where someone relied on power for health reasons. I have also found that the co-ops work with people better than the Power Companies. I am worried about the child, and my prayers are with them.

Posted by: Andrew Location: Panama City Beach on Nov 13, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I am writing this letter in support of the Duncans. The State of Florida is the most progressive in the passing of state laws dealing with persons who have disabilities. The laws regarding persons with disabilities and use life- support equipment very from state to state in regards to if electrical provider can “cutoff” the service to a person who has to use life support. In the State of Tennessee where I lived for 20years there is a program if some one is on life support or requires supportive equipment the person or family can apply for a “RED METER”. This program is for persons who have life support equipment and can not have there power “cut off”. I am not sure if the State of Florida has this program. The State of Florida dose have Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities. There contact information is: Statewide Phone Number 850-488-9071 Toll Free: (800) 342-0823 Fax: (850) 488-8640 TDD: (800) 346-4127

Posted by: Barb Location: PCB on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:46 PM
First, I can't believe Gulf Power could deny the request for an extension.Second, I can't believe that there is no government program to help them with the power bill. Their only choice is to go to a hospital where the bill will be thousands of dollars per day rather than $900.00. Is this crazy or what? Our government can bail out banks and the car industry but not save a little girl. SHAME ON YOU GULF POWER!!

Posted by: Bridget Wilkerson Location: Tyndall AFB on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I have a comment to the statement made by Mr. Spangenberg. I had a premature child in 1997. We had Alabama Power a co-op of Gulf Power. I had a Dr's note stating that it was medically necessary to have power at my house at all times for my sons Apnea monitor. This made it possible to never have my power disconnected due to none payment. I want to know why this statment was made if it is policy for the sister company why not for Gulf Power? I believe this could be an option for this couple as well. It is a matter of life or death. In my opinion this gentlemen is more worried about money than life. It is the season of giving why doesn't he pay it there is no law against that. He has a well paying position he can afford it. I also believe it would be nice if someone could help the father find a job in this scarce employment market. This couple is in my prayers.

Posted by: Keith Location: Panama City on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Ok, this story is missing some key points. Has the father been working day labor to make money? How hard has he been looking for work, there are jobs daily in the classifieds? Someone paid the bill for them last time and then pre paid the bill for some time, so basically they have not paid an electric bill themselves in months! Finally, I am just sick of the special accounts being set up at local banks for people to donate money with no oversight. I always wonder why they did not plan ahead for a rainy day. I seriously doubt the man could not find a job in a year. It is time for people to take responsibility for themselves. I do feel very sorry for the littel girl and thats exactly what the story is intended to do. I am sure it moved someone to pay the deliquent bill again.

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