Child Protection Center’s Case Coordinator Awarded Civilian Citation from the Venice Police Department

?The Venice Police Department is proud to recognize the exceptional work of Alexis Davis, a Case Coordinator with the Child Protection Team at the Child Protection Center, for her pivotal role in a complex child abuse investigation. Detective DiGiacomo formally recommended to Lieutenant Goodson that Ms. Davis receive the honor of a Civilian Citation for her professionalism, persistence, and compassion.

In July 2024, the North Port Police Department received a Department of Children and Families report alleging sexual abuse of a juvenile by her biological father. Alexis Davis was assigned to conduct a forensic interview, and handled it with sensitivity and professionalism, establishing rapport that would later prove critical. Following further investigative findings and a jurisdictional transfer to the Venice Police Department, the case remained pending until April 2025, when the juvenile indicated readiness to disclose details about the abuse.

During the forensic interview, Alexis Davis successfully built upon the trust she had previously established with the juvenile, creating a safe space for the victim to share a detailed disclosure of repeated sexual abuse. The information Ms. Davis obtained directly led to the filing of life felony charges by the State Attorney’s Office against the perpetrator. Detective DiGiacomo highlighted Ms. Davis’s exceptional professionalism, patience, and determination to protect the juvenile. “Alexis Davis always has been and continues to be a tremendous contributor to keeping the children in the City of Venice safe through her compassion and tenacious work ethic. Her work on this case has led to positive outcomes for the juvenile’s road to healing from these heinous crimes.”

Doug Staley, Executive Director of the Child Protection Center, said, “We are extremely proud of Ms. Davis and the exemplary work she does. Time and again, she has shown a relentless dedication and a deep sense of compassion for the children and families she serves. She has a profoundly positive impact on the safety and wellbeing of our community’s vulnerable youth. I couldn’t be more pleased to see law enforcement and other professionals in our field recognize her consistently excellent performance.”

The Child Protection Center’s (CPC) mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 45 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at  www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.