On Black Friday, November 29, 2024, Lake Worth police officers responded to reports of children soliciting money in the parking lot of a local retailer. Upon arrival, officers found a 13-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, and a 2-month-old baby standing together. The 13-year-old was observed asking drivers for money, prompting officers to investigate further.
Recognizing the patterns of predatory solicitation often seen during the holiday season, officers suspected the children were not acting independently. After about 30 minutes, 43-year-old Samuel Marin arrived on the scene and identified himself as the children's father.
A routine warrant check revealed that Marin was wanted for money laundering in Dallas County. He was arrested on the spot. The children were not in need of assistance, as officers discovered they were carrying large amounts of cash, which contradicted the image they were attempting to portray.
Marin allegedly used his children to solicit money from passing drivers, intending to create a sympathetic appeal and capitalize on the goodwill of the community. This tactic is a common form of predatory solicitation, where individuals exploit others' empathy to secure money for personal gain.
Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified and arrived to take custody of the children. The police department highlighted that although they are always ready to assist those in genuine need, they will not tolerate manipulative or illegal solicitation practices.
Lake Worth officials reminded the public that solicitation in the city is prohibited under Section 8.05.032, and urged anyone who witnesses unlawful solicitation to report it to the non-emergency police line at 817-237-1224.
