News


FDLE arrests former child protective investigator

 

For Immediate Release

January 20, 2017

 
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested former Department of Children and Families child protective investigator Matthew James Wilcox, 38, for falsifying records. The DCF Office of Inspector General referred the case to FDLE and assisted in the investigation.
 
Wilcox’s case notes indicated that he started a child endangerment investigation that was assigned to him on January 16, 2015 at the West Palm Hospital (WPH).   However, the investigation revealed that he never went to the hospital.   
 
On January 17, 2015, Wilcox’s supervisor visited the WPH and determined that Wilcox only spoke to hospital staff by telephone, and did not physically visit the hospital. However, Wilcox wrote in case notes that he visited the hospital and interviewed the child.  
 
Wilcox turned himself into the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office earlier today and was booked into the Western Detention Center. The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case. 
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger or Jessica Cary
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
 

 

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FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.