Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Hannah Yvonne Springer, 39, was arrested early this morning and charged with stalking after allegedly repeatedly contacting the mother of a juvenile girl she said she intended to marry.

Springer was previously convicted of aggravated stalking of a juvenile under 16 with a different victim in Alachua County; she was sentenced to probation in 2019 but violated probation by not following through with mental health services. She was re-arrested and later found mentally incompetent to proceed. After a stay in a State mental hospital, she was found competent to proceed, returned to the Alachua County Jail, and was sentenced to five years in state prison with credit for 684 days served. She was released in June 2023 and began trying to communicate with the juvenile girl in this case a few months later. The girl’s mother told Springer in November 2023 that she should not contact the family again, but according to the arrest report, Springer’s “behavior has grown more bold and persistent” since then, with Springer allegedly sending numerous text messages, a mailed letter, Facebook posts, and Facebook messages and attempting to send messages through third parties.

A friend of the victim’s family reported that Springer attempted to give her a promise ring for the girl on February 17; the friend did not accept the ring and told the family about the incident. The girl’s mother told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that multiple people had told her Springer wants to marry the girl when she turns 18 and move away with her.

On December 31, Springer allegedly called in a “well-being check” on the girl; the Department of Children and Families investigated the claims and found no truth to Springer’s allegations that the girl was being abused.

The girl’s family has tried to get an injunction against Springer, but service of the injunction was unsuccessful because Springer is homeless.

On February 26, the Combined Communications Center received a call providing Springer’s location, and Springer was arrested at Pinewood Apartments last night.

After being arrested, Springer reportedly said that the girl wants Springer to contact her and that the contact was only opposed by the girl’s mother.

Springer has one felony conviction (one violent) and has served one prison term. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $500,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.