Lee County DCF Subcontractor Jailed For Destroying Records

FORT MYERS -
A former Department of Children and Family Services subcontractor went to jail this week for tampering with public records related to case work.

Denny Kern

Denny Kern was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Wednesday and charged with a a 3rd-degree felony.
NBC2 is looking into his arrest and has learned from DCF that Kern was hired by Lutheran Services in April 2013.
Lutheran Services subcontracts case management work through the Children's Network of Southwest Florida, which is funded by DCF.
The FDLE says that between March 5 and May 11, 2015, "on one or more occasions," Kern altered or destroyed public records.
Here's why that matters: The DCF investigates families and children who may be at risk and generates reports based on what it learns. The information can be used in court proceedings that could affect the custody of a child.

In a statement, DCF calls the falsification of records unacceptable.
Kern was fired by Lutheran Services in May 2015. A DCF spokesperson said 100% of his cases were then reviewed by Lutheran Services.
The Florida Office of Inspector General is also investigating the alleged crimes committed by Kern.
A DCF spokesperson said the inspector general is in the process of finalizing its report.
Kern was released from jail on Thursday.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/33741188/lee-county-dcf-subcontractor-jailed-for-destroying-records

FDLE: Child welfare worker falsified home visit records for Rachel Fryer's children

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla —A child welfare worker who was responsible for checking on Rachel Fryer's children lied in his home visit reports, Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said Friday.

Fryer is accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Tariji Gordon, and burying her in a shallow grave on Feb. 11.

Jonathan Irizarry, 27, of Altamonte Springs, was a case manager for the Children's Home Society of Central Florida, and was assigned to supervise Fryer's three children.
FDLE officials said Irizarry wrote that the children were free from bruises, but investigators said they found a photo on Fryer's phone that showed Tariji with a bruised and swollen eye and one arm in a sling.
Video: New video from Rachel Fryer hearing shows DCF's role in case
A postmortem examination on Tariji also showed multiple healing injuries including cuts, bruises, cigarette burns and bite marks, officials said.
"These charges should serve to remind those responsible for protecting our children of how important that duty is," said State Attorney Phil Archer, who will prosecute the case.
Irizarry was charged with two counts of falsifying an official record that contributes to the great bodily harm or death of an individual in the care and custody of a state agency.
Because great bodily harm resulted from the alleged falsification of home visit records, Irizarry could face 15 years in prison on each of two counts charged.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is the agency responsible for checking on children's welfare. DCF contracted Children's Home Society of Central Florida, who contracted Irizarry.

 http://www.wesh.com/news/fdle-dcf-contractor-falsified-home-visit-records-for-rachel-fryers-children/27683922#ixzz3BAnzHyFT