9 Investigates

9 Investigates: State cleared violent criminals to work alongside children

FLORIDA — 9 Investigates uncovered the state cleared several violent criminals--including a flasher, drug dealers and someone accused of beating up a child--to work alongside children.

Documents show the state gave the go-ahead for several criminals to work with children.

The list includes people who a court either found guilty or sentenced for crimes ranging from soliciting for prostitution to first-degree robbery with a weapon.

But that list also includes people found guilty or sentenced for obscenity by exposing a sex organ in public and battery on a minor victim, aggravated assault with intent to murder, rape, or rob, and federal drug dealing.

The Florida Department of Children and Families told 9 Investigates it reviews all exemption applications on a case-by-case basis, and pointed out that those who are granted exemptions from disqualifying crimes are "not necessarily automatically hired by a child care provider. The screening information merely informs the provider that the individual is eligible to be hired."

"I have three kids and I can't imagine having somebody taking care of my kids who's convicted of a violent crime,” said parent Will Tharpe.

Under changes that took effect July 1, there are several crimes for which criminals can no longer request an exemption.

Child care employers must re-screen those people by August 1 to determine if they can continue to work with children