What Happens After I Make a Report?
The Protective Investigation
Chapter 415, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Children and Families to conduct an investigation of all reports received that allege abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if there is evidence that an alleged victim has been abused, neglected, exploited or self-neglecting and if assistance is necessary to protect the individual’s health and safety.
A protective investigator from the department will make face-to-face contact with the alleged victim within 24 hours of receiving an abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect report. If any person refuses to allow the protective investigator access to the victim, law enforcement may be called to assist. Once access to the victim is obtained, the protective investigator will interview all persons who may have knowledge of the victim’s situation, evaluate the information obtained, and make a decision as to whether the reported allegations did or did not occur.