Deanna Joseph continues the fight for justice in her son's memory. The family remains in pursuit of the $15 million judgment awarded in 2022. (Photo by Luis Santana |Times)

Twelve years ago, the life of 14-year-old Andrew Joseph, III was cut short, triggering a grueling decade-long saga of grief and legal combat for his parents. The teenager’s death occurred in February 2014 after Hillsborough County deputies expelled him from the Florida State Fair.

Left in a dangerous area away from the fairgrounds, he attempted to return to his ride, only to be struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing Interstate 4. This preventable tragedy set his parents, Deanna and Andrew Joseph Jr., on a relentless path to demand accountability from the institutions that had evicted their son.

For years, the family navigated the difficult terrain of the legal system, seeking justice in a system that often shields law enforcement from responsibility. Their efforts seemed to bear fruit in 2022, when a jury recognized the systemic failures by awarding the parents $15 million in damages. However, that victory proved to be a milestone rather than a resolution. 

Since 2024, the payout has been frozen within the federal appeals process. The legal battle is mired in the complexities of “qualified immunity,” which protects officers from personal liability, alongside restrictive state statutes that cap the amount of money victims can recover from government agencies.

The family’s attorneys have argued that the jury’s verdict contained inherent contradictions, noting that it is difficult to hold the sheriff’s office liable for the teen's death while simultaneously clearing the individual officer of personal blame. This ongoing judicial stalemate has meant that, despite the jury's clear signal, the family has yet to receive the judgment intended to provide restitution.

The emotional toll of this decade-long fight was immense. Andrew Joseph Jr., who became a central figure in a national movement advocating for families affected by police violence, passed away in May 2026. This left his wife, Deanna, to continue the struggle as the lead plaintiff. 

Throughout these years, the couple did not just fight for their own son; they founded the Andrew Joseph Foundation, transforming their personal anguish into a broader community movement. Their advocacy prompted tangible policy shifts at the Florida State Fair, such as new regulations requiring minors to be accompanied by adults, ensuring that other families might be spared similar heartache.

Today, Deanna remains the primary advocate in a case that has come to show the systemic barriers families face when challenging institutional power. While she continues to wait for a ruling from the appellate courts, her mission has evolved. Though the financial award remains elusive, the family’s impact stands as a testament to their resolve.