What happens during a child protective investigation in Florida?
Florida law requires an investigation anytime someone reports that a child is being abused or neglected to the Florida Abuse Hotline. These reports are often made by doctors, teachers, child case providers, but can also be made by neighbors, an ex-boyfriend or spouse, or any other person. The identity of the person making the allegation is kept confidential in most cases. After an investigation begins, the child protective investigator will contact you to discuss any abuse or neglect allegations. The investigator may also talk to other family members, child case providers, and neighbors. Each county has its own child protective investigation unit and dependency courts, including Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Pasco County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, and Hernando County, Florida.
