Lunsford describes need for funding at FAPB awards
ORLANDO (AP) – The father of slain 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford reminisced about his daughter’s life and the need for more funding for child protection organizations Saturday at the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Awards.
Lunsford recalled when his daughter would playfully pluck raisins from his cereal bowl. But a tearful Lunsford also described the need for more funding for agencies like the U.S. Marshals, the Florida Department of Children and Families and groups that target Internet crimes against children.
He spoke two weeks ago in Congress to plead for funding for such programs.
Jessica Lunsford was kidnapped, raped and buried alive in 2005 by a convicted sex offender north of Tampa.
The FAPB awards recognize outstanding broadcast reporters in Florida every year.