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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 2002
MASARYKTOWN -- The Sheriff's Office is searching for a 36-year-old man who has been asking Masaryktown residents for money so he can see his 2-year-old daughter.
Authorities said Terry Lloyd Perkins has approached at least six residents in the past week and said that his daughter swallowed her tongue while having a seizure. He told them she was flown by helicopter to a Tampa hospital and that he needed money to get there.
He then asked each for a certain amount, such as $20, authorities said.
Sheriff's deputies identified the man as Perkins after talking with the residents. Deputies are not certain whether he is telling the truth and want him for questioning in the matter, said Lt. Joe Paez of the Sheriff's Office. Authorities ask residents not to donate money until deputies investigate his story.
One 76-year-old woman told deputies that Perkins knocked on her kitchen door last week and identified himself as a neighbor's son. He talked about his daughter and asked for $20.
The woman gave him the money, and asked if she could do anything else. "Pray," he told her, before driving off in a gray truck.
Authorities ask anyone with information to call 754-6830.
-- Jamie Jones covers law enforcement and courts in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6114. Send e-mail to jjones@sptimes.com.