Andrew D. Stine, P.A. - Florida Criminal Defence Attorney

The Florida Department of Children and Families is the state agency charged with the responsibility of protecting abused and neglected children, elderly, and the disabled. We often hear stories about DCF investigations involving child abuse or neglect, and how these children are taken away from their homes for fear of their safety or even their lives. As a community, we put our trust and faith into this organization to protect children from perilous situations. Unfortunately, the Florida DCF is receiving some heat as a case worker has been accused of falsifying documents and not fulfilling her duties.

Two Sarasota grandparents have been arrested charged with child endangerment, the charges also involve alcohol. Many times, child abuse, child neglect, and child endangerment often involves alcohol or drug abuse. When authorities are called to confront a set of parents or guardians, it's usually because a relative, teacher, or some sort of witness has personally seen the child's parents abuse or neglect the child. Often times the abuse or neglect only happens with alcohol. This can be a very tricky situation because the parents or guardians feel they have not done anything wrong.

More often than not, when a person is accused of committing a crime, there is usually more than one crime in question. Many crimes do not have very significant sentences but what usually lands people in prison for long periods of time is being convicted of multiple crimes at once.

According to state child protective service agencies, more than 1 million children are victims of child abuse and neglect each year. More often than not, child abuse and neglect is not reported to the system because the victims’ suffering goes unreported. Abuse and neglect can happen in any home and often often happens without the parents realizing it.

An 18-month-old’s future is in the hands of the law now after his father was arrested Saturday on child neglect charges. The case was so severe that an emergency hearing has been scheduled for today to determine who will receive custody of the child. It is highly unlikely that the father will be able to have the child in his care ever again.

Criminal charges can’t be separated by categories because one criminal charge often results in residual charges. A great common example would be when a residence is busted for being a marijuana grow house and then the owner is also charged with weapons possession after weapons are found in the residence. Multiplecriminal charges can often result in a very complicated sentence.

According to an article in WPTV News, a Riviera Beach couple was arrested Wednesday night for child neglect, after allegedly telling police that they live life in God and don't need to work despite not having any money to feed their toddler.