Daytona Beach, FL - At a recent court hearing for a 15-year-old girl accused of shooting at deputies, a Flagler County couple reveals that they have intentions of adopting the teen.
Shauna and Dan Willis have remained in contact with Nicole Jackson since her arrest back in June, often talking to Jackson over the phone.
“We have good intentions in mind for her,” said Shauna. “We pray for her everyday and if we can give her a family we'd be willing to do that.”
In talking about the possibility of adopting Jackson, the couple said they believe the system has failed Jackson. They fear that sending her back to a foster home could lead to more trouble for Jackson.
“I’d assume she’d go back into the foster system,” said Dan. “If adopting could keep her out of that system, we would do that.”
Jackson first ran into trouble in April 2021 after setting six fires in Palm Coast. A number of fences were damaged, while houses in the area remained unscathed.
Then, just two months later, Jackson and a 12-year-old boy from Florida United Methodist Children Home broke into a home and found weapons. They soon turned those weapons on Volusia County deputies who arrived at the home to investigate the incident. Jackson was shot by deputies after aiming a shotgun at them. She is the only one of the two being charged as an adult.
Jackson appeared in court for the 6th time on Wednesday (Jan. 5). In that hearing, her case was continued by the defense again. Judge Elizabeth Blackburn allowed the defense to continue the case, but told both sides that she wants to set a reasonable trial date sometime soon, as the case has been in the courts for half a year already.
Jackson is set to appear in court again on March 9.
