Brittany Shiver – Leon County, Florida: Former DCF Investigator Allegedly Falsified Records
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The information below is based on publicly reported allegations and court records; no adjudication has occurred at the time of publication.
Arrest Overview (According to Court Records)
According to recent court documents, former Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) child protective investigator Brittany Shiver, 33, was arrested on Sunday and released on bond the same day, facing three counts of falsifying records. The charges stem from an investigation opened in August 2025, after DCF officials alleged discrepancies in case documentation related to home visits in at least two cases in or around Leon County.
During a September interview with authorities, Shiver allegedly became emotional and reportedly admitted to entering inaccurate information. Records further state she claimed she did not realize doing so could constitute a criminal offense. WCTV reported that DCF had not yet provided comment at the time of their story’s publication.
What Is Alleged—and Why It Matters
Allegation: Shiver allegedly documented home visits that did not occur in two or more cases, according to the records.
Potential Impact: If substantiated, falsified visit notes can influence whether a child remains in state care, whether a parent is found compliant, and how a judge evaluates safety and reunification.
Training & Support Claims: Shiver reportedly told agents she was a new employee, trained virtually, and then placed on cases without field support, and that she felt overwhelmed and unsupported by coworkers.
Takeaway: These are allegations, not findings. However, the potential harm from inaccurate records is significant and underscores the need for strong supervision, transparent documentation, and defensible processes in child-welfare work.
Context: A Broader Pattern of Concerns (Historically)
Florida’s child-welfare system has previously faced scrutiny over documentation integrity and investigator caseloads. While every case is unique, and the current charges against Shiver are separate and alleged, past reporting in Florida has highlighted systemic pressures (high turnover, heavy caseloads, documentation demands) that can strain investigative quality. This context does not imply wrongdoing by any specific individual but illustrates why verification and oversight matter.
Practical Guidance for Families in Leon County (Non-Legal Advice)
If you are involved with DCF in Leon County or nearby jurisdictions, consider the following proactive, documentation-first steps:
Request Records in Writing (Politely):
Ask for case notes, visit logs, safety plans, and communications. Reference Florida public-records rights where applicable.
Create a Parallel Paper Trail:
Keep your own dated log of every visit, phone call, voicemail, text, and email. Save screenshots and confirmations.
Verify Home-Visit Entries:
Compare official visit logs with your calendar. If an entry appears inaccurate, ask (in writing) for clarification.
Document Compliance:
Store copies of program completions, clean tests, employment and housing verification. Don’t assume “it’s in the file.”
Consult Counsel Early:
An attorney familiar with child-welfare proceedings can advise on requesting records, correcting errors, and preserving your rights.
Where the Case Stands Now
As of publication, Brittany Shiver has been arrested on suspicion of falsifying records and faces three counts, per court documents. The case is ongoing, and she has not been convicted of any crime. Additional updates may emerge as the investigation proceeds and filings appear on the public docket.
Why Accurate Documentation Protects Everyone
Children: Ensures safety decisions are grounded in verifiable facts.
Parents: Safeguards due process and fair evaluation of compliance.
Workers & Courts: Builds trust, reduces appeals, and strengthens outcomes.
Regardless of the outcome in this case, clear training, adequate supervision, and rigorous auditing are essential to prevent errors and protect Florida families.
The Dark Truth Behind Foster Care Outcomes
The failures uncovered in Maryland’s 2025 audit reflect a much larger national crisis in child welfare. These outcomes are not rare — they are tragically common:
Children in foster care are 7 to 10 times more likely to be sexually abused than their peers in the general population.
An estimated 60% to 70% of children rescued from sex trafficking in the U.S. have spent time in the foster care system.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Foster Youth Institute
Within 18 months of aging out of foster care, 50% become homeless or incarcerated.
Source: National Foster Youth Institute
Only 3% of former foster youth ever graduate from college.
Youth in foster care are diagnosed with PTSD at twice the rate of U.S. combat veterans.
Black and Indigenous children are overrepresented in foster care by as much as two to three times their population rate, often due to systemic bias and poverty-related removals rather than substantiated abuse.
Source: Children’s Bureau (U.S. HHS)
These are not just statistics — they are the lived reality of tens of thousands of children.
When state agencies fail to run background checks, or place children with known predators or violent offenders, they are not just making errors. They are placing children in the path of preventable trauma.
At Father’s Advocacy Network, we believe the system must be rebuilt with accountability, transparency, and the protection of family bonds at its core.
