Head of embattled Texas child abuse investigations resigns after less than a year

Members of the DFPS Committee hear public testimony at a meeting in Austin on Friday, March 11, 2022. (Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune)

Texas’ associate commissioner for Child Protective Investigations has resigned after less than a year on the job. Robert “Rich” Richman’s brief tenure at the embattled agency was marked by two major headlines — a botched investigation into alleged sex trafficking at a foster care facility and Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to investigate parents of trans teenagers.

According to his resignation letter, Richman is leaving the Department of Family and Protective Services to “pursue an opportunity to continue my law enforcement career.” He thanked DFPS Commissioner Jaime Masters for the “opportunity to make positive changes throughout CPI during my time with the agency.”