Mr. Bainter:

I don't know if you and your staff are aware of a criminal investigation involving a former Child Protective Investigator in Lake County arrested on charges of Capitol Sexual Battery, False Imprisonment of a child under 13, and Felony Child Abuse.

The child he raped and tortured is my son. Frank McCarthy was my husband for just over seven years and worked as a CPI for DCF for six years. During the time he was employed for the state of Florida, he performed sex acts on our two children until he resigned after he was arrested for Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm (1/27/99) for beating me in front of my children (my son was 6). DCF abandoned me and my family during this time. I needed some kind of support during the trial that ended with a conviction in 9/99.

I never knew of my former husband’s arrests. I had no knowledge of any arrests in his past. I am struggling to understand how despite his criminal background, my former husband was hired as an Investigator by Chuck Herkal. I have obtained an arrest record showing several charges including Attempted Murder and Reckless Endangerment among others. His driving record shows 2 DUI arrests in Florida and one in New York. All of these arrests were prior to his employment. A 3rd DUI arrest was in 11/98, while working as an investigator.

DCF Deputy District Administrator Mr. Ron Zychowski was quoted as saying that it is unlikely that any of Frank McCarthy's cases will be reopened and reviewed even if convicted. Is this the policy of District 13 or the state of Florida? How can a child rapist make an objective and professional assessment of the safety of a child? How can a criminal choose to remove children from an abusive situation or not remove them because they do not see the child's endangered?

I have contacted Senator Anna Cowin in Leesburg and she has not returned my call. According to the Daily Commercial, she has called for a review of cases investigated by Frank McCarthy.

I am crushed by my son's revelations of sexual abuse. My sole purpose is to protect my children, and I failed to do that due to the control and intimidation of an investigator. How did he become an investigator with such a questionable past? I am searching for answers and need your help. I am afraid that District 13 is scrambling just as they did during the crisis involving the death of Kayla McKean. The only consolation I have, is that my children are alive and so am I.

Am asking for your help. DCF hired this man. I want to see an investigation into how he was hired in the first place. I also want to see a review of his cases, especially those involving sex abuse. He was not qualified or capable of making a decision regarding the safety of a child. I know.

Sincerely,

Beverly McCarthy


I have sent this e-mail to Governor Bush.