Justice 4 All: Who is eligible for a domestic violence injunction?

Last week, mother of two Rachel Kerr was shot and killed by her estranged husband in a murder-suicide in Bradford County.

She had moved into a new home to get away from Loyd Kerr, and her brother said she had taken out a protective order to keep Loyd away from her and their two young children.

But he found her.

Bradford County Chief Deputy Brad Smith said during the attack, Loyd pointed the gun at each of his children and asked them if they wanted to go to heaven before he took his own life.

During my 10 a.m. streaming show on News4JAX+, I asked local attorney Millicent Daniels to explain how protective orders work and who is eligible for a domestic violence injunction.

Resources

If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, these resources available:

• The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
• The Micah’s Place (Nassau County) Domestic Violence Help Hotline is 904-225-9979.
• The Hubbard House (Duval County) can be reached by dialing 904-354-3114.
• The Quigley House (Clay County) hotline is 904-284-0061. https://www.quigleyhouse.org/.
• The Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns County) can be reached at 904-824-1555.

If you or anyone you know has had thoughts of self-harm, the following resources can help:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK); 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Text TALK to 741741 (suicide)
• Text HOME to 741741 (crisis)
• Children Home Society’s Family Support: Warm Line 1-888-733-6303 (chslistens.com)
• United Way: Dial 211 for 24-hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention
• The Vinson Foundation: Helping Families Coping with Suicide Loss (https://thevinsonfoundation.org/)
• Heretomorrow: Helpline in Neptune Beach available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- (904) 372-9087 (heretomorrow.org)
• LSF Health Systems: 24/7 ACCESS TO CARE LINE: (877) 229-9098 (https://www.lsfhealthsystems.org/)
• Sign up to be a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist