Man Chains Himself to Power box to Save Daughter
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Posted: 5:44 PM Nov 14, 2008
Man Chains Himself to Power box to Save Daughter
A Highland Park man has chained himself to his power box to keep utility crews from turning off the electricity.
Reporter: Josh Gauntt
Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com

Hiliand Park Family - 5 PM
Hiland Park Family 6 PM
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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


Latest Comments

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?
[ Report Abuse ]
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!
[ Report Abuse ]
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!
[ Report Abuse ]
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