POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman tasked with keeping vulnerable children safe in Hillsborough County is on administrative leave after being arrested in Polk County.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor Harris lied to deputies about who was driving when her car crashed into another vehicle in Lakeland on Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred near the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Memorial Boulevard.
Authorities said, witnesses saw La’Darion Chandler behind the wheel and then flee to a nearby restaurant.
“Guess where we find him? Hiding in the bathroom of the Burger King. He needs to know you can’t have it your way at the county jail,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
Chandler was out on bond on an aggravated assault charge. He allegedly pointed a gun at someone. Sheriff Judd said he also cut off his ankle monitor.
Chandler was previously facing charges in Polk County for first-degree murder but Sheriff Judd said witnesses did not cooperate and the charges were dropped.
Sheriff Judd refers to Chandler as a known gang member.
Harris, Chandler’s girlfriend, is employed at the Children’s Network of Hillsborough County and does contract work for the Florida Department of Children and Families as a family support worker, according to the sheriff’s office.
“She’s working to help children while she’s running with a murderer who couldn’t be prosecuted,” said Sheriff Judd.
A spokesperson for the Children’s Network of Hillsborough County said Harris worked on the Intensive Family Services team has been placed on administrative leave.
“CNHC is cooperating fully with law enforcement while continuing our mission of creating brighter futures for children and families in our community,” read the statement from the CNHC.
She is facing a charge of providing false information to a law enforcement officer during an investigation.
Chandler has been ordered to be held on no bond.
His new charges are tampering with an electronic monitor device, criminal mischief, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
