ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Our partner, the Tampa Bay Times, reports that the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department has launched an investigation into Eckerd Connects.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says many children in Eckerd's care slept in unlicensed offices in "disgusting and deplorable" conditions. He also says several children have been injured or found themselves in other dangerous situations while in their care.
Investigators say a child even fell trying to climb onto the roof of an office building and hit a metal object, which cut his stomach open.
Tampa Bay Times also reported that Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson says the State has long been frustrated by the performance of Eckerd Connects. The nonprofit has faced criticism for a handful of high-profile deaths of children under its watch and struggled to find long-term placements for teenagers in care.
Sheriff Gualtieri said earlier that he is targeting the higher-ups of the company in this criminal investigation instead of going after case managers who may have been caught dealing with tough situations.
This investigation is expected to be widespread and could prove consequential for Eckerd Connects.
Eckerd Connects has released this response:
"Eckerd Connects takes extremely seriously the criminal investigation announced today by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Eckerd will provide its full cooperation to the sheriff’s office in its investigation. Eckerd Connects’ mission is to support the health and wellbeing of children and families in need in the Tampa Bay area, and we will not tolerate any acts of neglect or abuse by any of our staff or subcontracted agencies."