TAMPA---Following a nine-month investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has charged a Tampa woman with falsifying official state records related to child welfare services.

Robin Melissa Schofield, 31, surrendered herself to Hillsborough County authorities on Tuesday pursuant to being charged with two counts of falsifying official records, a third-degree felony.

Schofield worked as a sub-contract employee with Hillsborough County Kids Inc. (HKI) since January 2006, but was terminated in March 2006 for violating policy by falsifying official state records. In March 2006, in accordance with state contract, HKI discovered and reported the suspected allegation to the Department of Children and Families' Inspector General's Office.

An investigation was conducted by the Inspector General's Office and coordinated with FDLE. It was determined that while Schofield worked as a case manager with Children's Home Community Based Care, a sub-contractor of HKI, she falsified official records by documenting she conducted interviews with children and foster parents on two occasions when, in fact, she had not.

FDLE's investigation confirmed the allegation, resulting in the issuance of a warrant. Schofield was booked into the Hillsborough County jail on a $5,000 bond. 3-16-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette