Officer Reunites Mother and Daughter

      (Photo courtesy Orlando Sentinel/Joshua Cruey/July18,2009)

On 07-18-2009 at approximately 5:30 pm, Officer Jon Adkins was flagged down in Lot #9 (26 South Garland) by Jessica and Bryan Wisnoski, in reference to locating Jessica's mother, Lani Burgos. Jessica stated she has not seen her mother since she was a little girl and was in Orlando trying to locate her. Jessica stated she had been searching for her mother since 1992. Jessica then handed Officer Adkins a picture of her when she was approximately eight years old, sitting on her mother's lap, and stated this is the only picture she has of them together, and her mother left shortly after the picture was taken. Jessica stated she now lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Bryan, and recently hired a private investigator to help find her mother. Jessica stated the private investigator advised her that her mother was homeless and living on the streets in Orlando, Florida.

Jessica and her husband, Bryan, drove from Houston, Texas, to Orlando to spend their fifteen year wedding anniversary looking for her mother. Jessica stated they were only going to be in town for two days, and they were hoping to locate her mother in those two days. Jessica provided Officer Adkins with a recent booking picture of Lani and with some information where she was previously arrested.

Officer Adkins transported both Jessica and Bryan to the Coalition for the Homeless, in an attempt to locate Lani. Coalition staff stated they recognized the picture of Lani; however, she had not been staying there. Officer Adkins then drove them around Lake Lucerne looking to see if Lani might be sitting around the lake. While driving around the lake, Officer Adkins stopped to speak with other transients. One of the males stated he usually sees Lani at the morning meal feeding around Lake Eola, and sometimes she sleeps at the Beardall Center located at Gore Street and Orange Avenue. After checking the Beardall Center with negative results, he drove both Jessica and Bryan to the other side of Lake Lucerne. He drove to the 400 block of South Magnolia Avenue and noticed a white female sitting on the sidewalk with her back to him. He approached the female and immediately recognized her from the picture as Lani. He asked, "How are you doing today, Lani?" She replied, "I'm okay, Am I in trouble?" He told her no, and she was reunited with her daughter. Jessica stated her intention was to take Lani back to Texas with them, and Lani had already agreed to go.

Officer Adkins actions went above and beyond to facilitate this reunion. The story will continue for mother and daughter and it will be a positive memory for Officer Jon Adkins and the Orlando Police Department.


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