An amber alert was issued for missing 4-year-old Seraphine Gingles in Broward County on the morning of February 16, 2025. The mother, Mary Gingles, was included on the amber alert when police responded to shots fired at a Tamarac home and found Mary’s father, David Pozner, deceased. The police learned that Seraphine was missing from the residence and named her father, Nathan, the prime suspect. Thankfully, she was found unharmed hours after the alert. The unfortunate part is Mary was found fatally shot in the home next door, along with the neighbor.
Amber Alert Issued
The Broward County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the triple homicide that took place Sunday morning. Police responded to reports of a shooting and found Ponzer suffering from a gunshot wound on the back patio of the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. As they investigated, they realized Seraphine was nowhere to be found. They issued an amber alert, and their extensive efforts led them to her and her abductor, Nathan Gingles, in a city in North Lauderdale.
Nathan Gingles was taken into custody as soon as police found the two. They continued their search for Mary Gingles and found her in a neighbor’s residence. She and the neighbor, Andrew Ferrin, were fatally shot. The Broward Sheriff’s Office dive team found a firearm in a nearby can,l, which is believed to be the weapon used in the slayings.
Nathan Gingles was charged with three counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, violation of a domestic violence protection order, and custody interference. He is being held without bond for all charges except the custody violation, which is currently set at $2,500. Even if he were to pay off his bond, he would remain in custody for the four other charges.
Domestic Violence
A neighbor reported seeing Mary Gingles running door to door in an attempt to save her life before the amber alert was issued. She ran, leaving footprints behind her and pleading for help. It is assumed that Ferrin, was attempting to help her escape, but they both ended up being gunned down by Nathan Gingles. Mary pleaded for help far before her life was taken, and the help she received was not enough.
In 2024, two domestic violence cases were opened in family court, with Mary Gingles as the petitioner. A domestic violence injunction was filed on February 9, 2024, and closed months later on July 10. A second injunction, filed on December 20, 2024, sought protection for her and her daughter. The judge granted it on January 22, 2025, but the order was not enough.
Final Thoughts
Mary Gingles did everything she could to protect herself and her daughter. She filed for divorce, she filed for a protection order, and she fled an abusive situation. However, it still ended in her being gunned down by her abuser and an amber alert being issued for her kidnapped daughter. This world failed her and Seraphine. Hopefully, they get the justice they deserve, and Nathan Gingles will never be able to put another woman or his daughter in harm’s way again.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-723 or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
