Prosecutors want maximum sentence for Liberty Belle's father

I-TEAM continues investigation into baby's adoption case

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The biological father of a toddler caught in a custody battle that has captured the attention of Florida lawmakers was sent back to his jail cell Tuesday, now sporting a shaved head.

After spending almost a month in jail, Bradley Hornback's long, blond hair is gone, along with the casual demeanor he had the last time he appeared in court.

Hornback was arrested in December, accused of violating for a second time his probation tied to domestic battery on the biological mother of child Jacksonville has come to know as Baby Liberty.

At his court appearance last month, Hornback professed his love for his two children to the I-TEAM's cameras. But after learning Tuesday that prosecutors want the maximum sentence of 12 months in jail, Hornback only shook his head as he was led back to jail without bond for nearly another month until his next hearing.

Hornback's attorney is trying to negotiate that sentence down.

The probation violation charge stems from not completing court-ordered counseling. That counseling was a mandated part of his sentence for beating his former girlfriend, Baby Liberty's mother.

Liberty was taken away from her biological parents, a drug addict and a convicted abuser, last year. In September, they surrendered their rights, asking the judge to move Liberty from her home with her maternal aunt and uncle to the care of Hornback's brother.

That move was made, despite the guardian ad litem, an attorney appointed to look out for Liberty's best interests, writing a report that indicated Liberty had a loving and parental-like relationship and was thriving with her maternal aunt and uncle, who wanted to adopt her. She had been living with them for 10 months when she was placed instead into the custody of Hornback's brother, Christopher, and his wife, Shonna, where she remains.

I-TEAM: Couple fights to regain custody of Liberty Belle

The News4Jax I-TEAM uncovered that at the time of the judge's decision to move Liberty, Christopher Hornback had an outstanding active warrant for his arrest in Duval County for domestic battery on his wife, Shonna, who told police Chris was increasingly violent with her, had access to a gun and had a history of domestic violence.

The I-TEAM also uncovered Christopher made threats against an ex-girlfriend in 2009 while armed with a razor, telling police, "She's gonna get it.”

Our I-TEAM investigators have worked for months to find out what information was given to the judge before he decided to move Liberty into a home with a history of abuse.

The I-TEAM found a police report filed after Liberty was moved that proved Chris and Shonna allowed Bradley around Liberty at their house, despite the guardian ad litem finding that "to reunify Liberty with her father could jeopardize her physical safety and well-being and Liberty's emotional security with his lack of concern."

The judge has since decided to re-examine Liberty's adoption case.

Her story has also become a catalyst for change as legislators and the Department of Children and Families are asking if Florida's criminal background check requirements for adoptive parents are protecting children from risky placements.