Child Abuse / Neglect in Florida

10,816
Total Cases
52.7%
Guilty Rate
1.8%
Dismissal Rate
27.5%
Withheld Rate
4.4 years
Avg Sentence

Based on 10,816 Child Abuse / Neglect cases across 61 Florida counties (2023-2025), the statewide guilty rate is 52.7% with a 1.8% dismissal rate. Adjudication was withheld in 27.5% of cases. The average sentence for convicted defendants is 4.4 years, with an average fine of $443.

1.8% of Child Abuse / Neglect cases in Florida are dismissed — but outcomes vary widely by county. A defense attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

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Child Abuse / Neglect by County

County Cases Guilty Rate Withheld Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
Miami-Dade 926 45.1% 27.6% 0.2% 2.9 years
Hillsborough 922 45.4% 32.9% 0.9% 5.3 years
Volusia 703 45.8% 31.3% 2.6% 6.2 years
Palm Beach 609 32.8% 13.8% 0.3% 4.2 years
Duval 548 58.9% 39.8% 0.7% 2.2 years
Bay 534 47.9% 23.0% 5.8% 3.4 years
Pinellas 505 60.8% 30.7% 2.2% 3.6 years
Polk 458 59.0% 26.6% 1.1% 3.1 years
Pasco 360 59.7% 21.7% 0.3% 6.5 years
Marion 346 69.9% 22.5% 1.2% 5.2 years
Escambia 298 49.3% 34.2% 4.7% 22.9 years
Orange 257 37.0% 34.2% 8.9% 11.2 months
St. Lucie 257 73.5% 20.2% 1.9% 6.1 years
Okaloosa 252 47.6% 20.2% 1.6% 4.2 years
Lake 233 60.5% 24.5% 0.9% 3.8 years
St. Johns 221 39.4% 33.0% 1.4% 1 year, 6 months
Broward 217 59.0% 37.8% 1.4% 4.5 years
Alachua 202 55.0% 25.7% 1.0% 2.6 years
Seminole 202 46.0% 23.8% 0.5% 4.1 years
Leon 186 39.8% 24.7% 2.2% 2.2 years
Manatee 178 59.6% 29.8% 0.6% 6.0 years
Sarasota 177 50.3% 28.2% 2.3% 5.8 years
Putnam 157 73.2% 21.7% 0.6% 3.5 years
Martin 153 68.6% 30.1% 0.7% 3.8 years
Santa Rosa 136 55.1% 27.2% 0.0% 3.4 years
Walton 118 35.6% 13.6% 21.2% 3.3 years
Osceola 113 59.3% 25.7% 1.8% 2.1 years
Hernando 112 53.6% 25.0% 1.8% 1 year, 6 months
Highlands 99 75.8% 18.2% 2.0% 3.2 years
Sumter 92 55.4% 30.4% 0.0% 3.9 years
Indian River 91 65.9% 26.4% 0.0% 3.7 years
Clay 90 57.8% 36.7% 1.1% 1 year, 2 months
Brevard 72 38.9% 58.3% 0.0% 1 year, 1 months
Charlotte 72 73.6% 15.3% 1.4% 3.5 years
Columbia 72 72.2% 13.9% 0.0% 3.9 years
Citrus 70 61.4% 12.9% 4.3% 4.4 years
Holmes 69 88.4% 11.6% 0.0% 7.6 years
Okeechobee 69 53.6% 37.7% 8.7% 3.7 years
Monroe 68 36.8% 27.9% 0.0% 2.2 years
Baker 53 47.2% 34.0% 3.8% 1 year, 2 months
Jackson 50 56.0% 36.0% 0.0% 2.6 years
Collier 49 61.2% 20.4% 2.0% 3.3 years
Desoto 39 53.8% 46.2% 0.0% 4.0 years
Bradford 37 75.7% 24.3% 0.0% 2.4 years
Washington 34 64.7% 35.3% 0.0% 9.0 months
Calhoun 32 43.8% 53.1% 0.0% 1 year, 8 months
Nassau 32 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 11.3 months
Hendry 31 45.2% 29.0% 0.0% 3.3 years
Taylor 30 96.7% 3.3% 0.0% 3.3 months
Hardee 29 37.9% 27.6% 0.0% 1 year, 8 months
Suwannee 27 88.9% 11.1% 0.0% 4.0 years
Dixie 21 76.2% 4.8% 0.0% 6.2 years
Gulf 16 50.0% 37.5% 0.0% 1 year, 1 months
Levy 15 60.0% 33.3% 0.0% 3.6 years
Wakulla 13 53.8% 30.8% 0.0% 3.2 years
Gilchrist 12 66.7% 16.7% 0.0% 1 year, 11 months
Lee 11 63.6% 18.2% 0.0% 1.7 months
Madison 11 54.5% 45.5% 0.0% 3.8 years
Glades 10 70.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0 days
Jefferson 10 70.0% 30.0% 0.0% 1 year, 9 months
Union 10 80.0% 10.0% 0.0% 1 year, 1 months

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 3,497 53.1% 1.8% 3.8 years
2024 3,578 50.3% 2.1% 4.4 years
2025 3,678 54.4% 1.7% 4.0 years

Related Florida Statute

§ 827.03 — Child Abuse / Neglect
Florida Statute § 827.03 criminalizes the intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child, or the failure of a caregiver to make reasonable efforts to protect a child from harm. This statute covers both active abuse and passive neglect by caregivers responsible for a child's welfare.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Child Abuse / Neglect in Florida?
The statewide guilty rate for Child Abuse / Neglect is 52.7% based on 10,816 cases from 61 counties (2023-2025).
What is the dismissal rate for Child Abuse / Neglect in Florida?
The statewide dismissal rate for Child Abuse / Neglect is 1.8% across all Florida counties.
How does Child Abuse / Neglect sentencing vary by county?
Sentencing for Child Abuse / Neglect varies significantly by county. Browse the county breakdown table above to compare guilty rates, dismissal rates, and average sentences across all 61 counties.
What does adjudication withheld mean for Child Abuse / Neglect?
Adjudication withheld means the court found sufficient evidence of guilt but chose not to formally convict the defendant. This is unique to Florida and means the charge does not appear as a conviction on the defendant's record, though the arrest record remains. For Child Abuse / Neglect, adjudication is withheld in 27.5% of cases statewide.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 10,816 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026