Defenders For Children Donates Electronic Detection K-9 to Sheriff Wayne Ivey to Help Protect Children
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // February 13, 2026
"Defenders For Children" is a non-profit organization
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As Sheriff, I am always so grateful for the incredible support we receive from our community, but it also amazes me when we receive support from people far and wide, such as the donation we recently received from the “Defenders For Children” organization to help protect children right here in our community.
“Defenders For Children” is a remarkable non-profit organization that works to acquire, train and place Electronic Detection Dogs with law enforcement agencies across the country.
On top of that, they work to increase awareness and education for parents and children alike, to help prevent their child from falling victim to child predators, abuse and other dangers that unfortunately exist in the world today!!
Our agency was extremely lucky to be chosen as a recipient for an Electronic Detection Dog from their organization, named Ellie!! Ellie was placed with her new handler, Agent Melione, who is assigned to our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Ellie will be used on search warrants to help locate electronic devices such as thumb drives and other forms of digital devices where child pornography is often stored. I know it sounds crazy that a K-9 can search out evidence of this type, but watching Ellie work is truly amazing and especially knowing how many children she will help protect in her career!!
We cannot thank Toni Clark, the CEO and founder of “Defenders For Children,” and her entire team enough for this amazing donation, and for all they do to help keep our most precious citizens, our children, safe!!
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
