Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Child Protection Division

Steven Michael Urban
Age: 29
Date of Hire: 02/10/2012
Employment: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office – Child Protection Investigator until 01/17/2018
Charges: Ten 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 investigation began in January 2018.

The suspect was arrested at about 8:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

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, in January 2018, there were discrepancies detected in child protection investigations that had been completed by 29-year-old Steven Urban. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Urban had fabricated records within multiple child protection investigations that he had conducted.

Once confronted about these discrepancies by supervisors, Urban stated he may have “skirted” some parts of his investigation, but denied complete fabrication of case files. Urban resigned on January 17, 2018, from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office once he was informed there would be an official investigation conducted.

Detectives reviewed Urban’s case files from January 1, 2017 through January 17, 2018. Urban was assigned to conduct 142 child protection investigations in that timeframe. It was determined that Urban falsified records in 75 of those investigations. The falsifications included lies, misleading information, and statements that investigations had been conducted, when no investigation had been conducted at all.

In 44 of the 75 falsified cases, Urban documented that he personally saw children that were victims of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and verified their well-being when he never saw them and did not know the condition they were currently in.

In 29 of the 75 falsified cases, Urban did no investigation or casework.  

After conducting a thorough investigation and follow-up, it was determined out of the 75 falsified cases, two cases required the removal of children because of present risk to the children.

During the follow-up investigations conducted by Child Protection Investigators, it was verified that none of the children in these investigations suffered harm due to the misconduct by Urban.

At the press conference conducted on March 8, 2018, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stated this incident is an anomaly and that, “It is imperative that we do everything we can to make sure this never happens again.”

Along with the extensive safeguards already in place, an additional precaution was added to ensure the investigations are being conducted properly. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s office has implemented a policy that requires CPI Supervisors to randomly review five case files on a weekly basis. The CPI Supervisors will contact family members and witnesses to confirm contact was made by the investigators.

“When it comes to child welfare and making sure the kids are safe, you have to do absolutely everything possible,” stated Sheriff Gualtieri.

Urban was hired by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a Child Protection Investigator on February 10, 2012.

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, detectives arrested Urban at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Urban made no statements to detectives.

Urban was charged with ten felony counts of Falsifying Records.

Urban was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Video from Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's press conference can be seen here:

https://youtu.be/zZkJb3K3wFU

A booking photo was not available at the time of this press release.

The investigation continues.