Clay County launches a regional task force to investigate suspected guardianship neglect and exploitation while protecting vulnerable adults and children.
Author: Jasamine Lee
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A new regional task force is bringing together Clay County court officials, law enforcement and criminal justice partners to investigate suspected fraud, neglect and exploitation involving people under guardianship.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook announced the Guardianship Task Force Tuesday with Clay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Tara S. Green.
Hundreds of children and vulnerable adults receive services through court-appointed guardians in Clay County. Guardians may be family members, court-appointed professionals or state-approved members of the public. The Clerk’s Office audits guardianship files and, in some cases, requires annual financial accountings.
Green said most guardians properly care for those entrusted to them.
“When a Guardianship is mismanaged, or worse, conducted in an illegal or even criminal manner, the results can be devastating,” Green said.
Cook emphasized that the task force is targeting bad actors, not responsible guardians.
“This is not about Guardians who are doing their jobs the right way – we know the vast majority in our community take proper responsibility – but this is about bad actors,” Cook said.
Officials said auditors and detectives have encountered cases involving depleted bank accounts, stolen pensions, property sales, unpaid medical bills and inherited money being quickly spent by guardians. One case involved an elderly woman who was abandoned at a care center or hospital without her belongings after officials said a family member depleted her finances and sold her property.
“Over recent years, our auditors have seen it all, sadly,” Green said.
Cook said the task force grew from a need to better coordinate investigations that had previously been handled separately.
“We were doing our job, but it was very piecemeal,” Cook said. “So when we got together, we started putting these pieces of a puzzle together.”
The task force brings together multiple agencies and jurisdictions to share information, identify potential criminal activity and investigate allegations involving vulnerable victims.
“When someone is appointed as a Guardian, they are entrusted with something so important – the care, well-being and sometimes financial future of another person,” Cook said. “It’s a position of trust – and when it’s abused, we as law enforcement and public officials have a responsibility to act.”
Cook said the effort is regional because some cases cross county lines and additional partners are being added.
“This is a regional effort to identify and hold accountable those who are taking advantage of our most vulnerable people,” Cook said.
Officials identified three main priorities: educating prospective guardians about their responsibilities, encouraging people to report concerns, and preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Cook urged families, neighbors and others to speak up even when they are unsure whether a crime has occurred.
“What we would tell people to do is pay attention to what’s happening, ask questions of the guardian, make them provide proof,” Cook said. “And it doesn’t matter, even if you’re not sure there’s a crime that’s occurring. Let our team take a look at it.”
People with information about suspected fraud, neglect or abuse involving a current or former guardianship can visit clayclerk.com or claysheriff.com and search for “Guardianship” for reporting information.
The task force will evaluate complaints through a team of experts and determine whether concerns involve inappropriate conduct, legal violations or potential criminal activity.
Cook said the effort could lead to significant investigations across multiple jurisdictions.
“I look forward to our next big press conference on this issue, because we have some pretty significant cases that go across multiple jurisdictions,” Cook said.
Cook ended with a warning to anyone exploiting someone under guardianship.
“While these are complex cases, we want to make sure everyone knows that we will be watching and if you’re taking advantage of someone you have guardianship over, you will be held accountable,” Cook said.
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Clay County launches regional task force targeting guardianship neglect and exploitation
