19-248 Former Child Protection Investigator Arrested For Falsifying Official Records
Child Protection Investigator Arrest
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Child Protection Division
Taylor Ashleigh Martin
Age: 26
Date of Hire: April 29, 2016
Employment: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office – Child Protection Investigator until September 20, 2019
Charges: Three felony counts of Falsifying Records
What:
Detectives have arrested a former Child Protection Investigator of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation of falsifying official records.
When:
The criminal investigation began September 17, 2019.
The suspect was arrested at about 12:00 pm, on Friday, September 20, 2019.
Where:
The incidents occurred in Pinellas County.
Why/How:
Detectives have arrested a former Child Protection Investigator (CPI) of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation of falsifying official records.
According to detectives, a Child Protection Investigator Supervisor noticed some suspicious entries made by 26 year-old Child Protection Investigator Taylor Martin while reviewing and approving her reports. The irregular entries pertained to interviews Martin conducted with the neighbors of the families being investigated. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Martin had fabricated the interviews with neighbors on three separate cases.
During the follow-up investigations conducted by Child Protection Investigators, it was verified that none of the children involved in these investigations suffered harm due to the misconduct by Martin.
Once Martin had return from vacation and was confronted about these discrepancies by supervisors, Martin admitted to falsifying the records.
On Friday, September 20, 2019, Martin’s employment was terminated and detectives arrested Martin at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.
Martin was charged with three felony counts of Falsifying Records.
Martin was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.
Video from Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's press conference can be seen here:
A booking photo was not available at the time of this press release.
The investigation continues.
