Plant City Bans Distribution Of Candy, Beads At Parades

TBO.com photo by KEVIN BRADY

Jordan Hays, 9, was killed on Dec. 7 when he got caught under the wheels of a parade float as he reached for more candy to toss.

By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 15, 2008

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PLANT CITY - Commissioners, in a unanimous vote Monday night, decided to ban distribution of candy and beads at parades.

The commissioners took the action in response to the death of a 9-year-old Inverness boy who was run over by a float at the Plant City Christmas Parade. Jordan "Booka" Hays was helping distribute candy from a church float when he was killed Dec. 7.

A committee that included Police Chief Bill McDaniel and Fire Chief George Shiley came up with a number of recommendations after studying parade safety.

The suggested ban on distribution of goodies was adopted Monday by a 5-0 vote.

Hays was reaching for candy from a box located forward of the float's wheels when he was caught under the wheels killed. A city report faulted the float's design and said Hays was too young to be walking the parade route, but there was no finding of recklessness.