Police: Ex-DCF worker's husband molested children

Investigators say former DCF employee failed to report molestation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former Department of Children and Families worker and her husband have been arrested in connection with a child molestation case.

Louis Vereen was arrested in December and charged with child molestation. Tara Vereen, a former DCF employee, was arrested last month on a charge of child neglect after police said she failed to report the molestation.

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Louis is facing two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation as the result of an investigation into accusations made by two children that dated back seven years, according to a police report.

Tara is charged with two counts each of child neglect and witness tampering. According to her arrest report, she contacted the two victims and asked them to write letters to the state attorney's office saying they lied about the accusations.

DCF said Tara Vereen was employed as a processor of food stamp applications and had no contact with children.

DCF said its own investigation found that she knew of the abuse allegations against her husband and didn't report them for years. That was conduct unbecoming and "does not reflect DCF values," officials said. She was fired.

Both suspects are out of jail on bond.