Might be Roma/Gypsies if it is an entire family with small children. I represented them in court a few times in other cities. I've also seen them repeat this in other cities I've visited. The kids don't go to school often and that gets them in trouble with Child Protective Services. The women do most of the panhandling. It is quite literally a cultural thing that they have done for 100s of years.
Generally, if you see kids repeatedly with panhandlers who look Eastern European or almost like they are form India (but not literally from India) then they are Roma. Child Protective Services generally would know about them if the kids are truly homeless - a deprivation case would be filed and this kids would gone to the State/foster families.
In other words they are not really homeless - just helping mom/dad panhandle.
I even saw a family of them 3 months ago in Orlando out in misting rain playing an accordion.
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