OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A scathing grand jury report found that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Circuit 5 was an “agency in crisis” that failed to protect children and vulnerable adults.
The grand jury said information provided by sources revealed systematic patterns of neglect and abuse in DCF Circuit 5, which includes Marion, Citrus, Lake, Sumter, and Hernando counties.
The list of systemic failures in the report includes adult investigators failing to respond to calls after 5 p.m. and on weekends, investigators failing to conduct proper mental capacity evaluations, and the agency failing to keep promises to improve policies.
The report specifically referenced the Co-Responder Program in Marion County. DCF’s operational gaps are reportedly so severe that a multi-agency group of local law enforcement, medical professionals, and first responders was formed to engineer safety plans for vulnerable adults left unprotected by DCF.
Grand jury reviews cases of systemic inaction
The grand jury detailed six cases in which DCF’s “systemic inaction allowed severe trauma and preventable fatalities” to occur.
The cases detailed in the report did not include identifying information about the individuals involved; however, the facts of one case mirrored a TV20 investigation from 2024.
Two years ago, TV20 spoke with the aunt and a family friend of 15-month-old Daltin Miller, a baby who died due to an overdose of Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Xylazine in March 2024.
Miller was removed from the care of his biological parents, Daniel Miller, 48, and Kelli Starling, 37, at birth and put into the care of his aunt and uncle.
Daltin was returned to his parents’ custody in February 2024, against his aunt and uncle’s wishes. Eighteen days later, he was dead. Daniel Miller and Kelli Starling were arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Daltin’s relatives blamed caseworkers for returning the baby to the home, where his parents were doing drugs.
Grand jury findings
In addition to the previously listed systemic failures, the grand jury found DCF was often unprepared for court and didn’t follow court orders.
Jurors said the secrecy with which the agency operates and the layers of bureaucracy make it difficult to hold people accountable for workers who fail to meet DCF’s responsibilities.
Because DCF court hearings and reports are confidential, judges are the only check on the agency; however, they lack the power to fix many issues.
The grand jury was also made aware of 12 cases in the circuit in which law enforcement officers accused DCF workers of falsifying records. Eight of those cases resulted in charges.
According to the report, six DCF employees were invited to address the grand jury’s concern. All declined the invitations or didn’t respond.
Responses to the Grand Jury Report
TV20 reached out to DCF officials for comment on this story and had not received a response as of this report.
Ocala Police Chief Balken provided the following statement on the grand jury’s findings:
“I am aware of the grand jury’s report and take the concerns raised very seriously. Unfortunately, failures like those mentioned can have real and tragic consequences, and as a community, we have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To that end, when the system fails, there is an obligation to speak up, demand accountability, and work with our partners to ensure those failures are addressed and corrected.
At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge that DCF has some incredible, dedicated, and very talented professionals who do amazing work throughout our community each day. I commend those individuals, and we owe them our gratitude for their service.”
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https://www.wcjb.com/2026/09/04/agency-crisis-grand-jury-finds-dcf-failed-protect-children-vulnerable-adults/
