LAKE CITY, Fla. – Two former employees of a Lake City assisted living facility have been arrested after security video allegedly showed them using physical force against an elderly resident, according to the Lake City Police Department.
Police say officers were dispatched at approximately 4:18 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, to The Canopy at Harper Lake, an assisted living center located at 213 NW Gleason Drive, in reference to a reported battery involving a resident. The incidents themselves occurred the previous day, Wednesday, January 28, around 2:30 p.m., but were reported after facility management reviewed internal security footage.
According to investigators, the video showed two staff members involved in separate incidents with the same elderly resident. In one instance, the resident was allegedly pushed to the floor. In another, the resident was forcibly restrained on a couch.
Officers reviewed the surveillance footage and collected a sworn written statement from facility management. Police also obtained documentation outlining employee training on elder abuse prevention, de-escalation techniques, and facility rules.
Based on the evidence, arrest warrants were drafted and submitted to the State Attorney’s Office. After review and judicial approval, warrants were issued for 26-year-old Ta’Naiya Ta’Nae Gallon and 23-year-old Toni Ashanti Owens, both former employees of the facility. The two were later located, arrested without incident, and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center for booking.
“Abuse of an elderly resident is unacceptable and will be addressed with the full weight of the criminal justice process,” said Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler. “Our department is committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, and we appreciate the cooperation of the facility and our partners in ensuring these allegations were reported, documented, and investigated thoroughly.”
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information related to this or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at (386) 752-4343, submit a tip through the LCPD TIPS line at (386) 719-2068, or contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.
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