Bartow County, GA — The husband of Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) director is facing multiple charges after troopers say he was driving under the influence with two young children in his vehicle. The incident has drawn public attention due to his connection with one of the state’s top child welfare officials.
What Happened
According to the Georgia State Patrol, 43-year-old Jason Broce was stopped on October 16 after troopers responded to a reported hit-and-run in Bartow County. They later located Broce’s truck a few miles away, weaving along the road, with two children — ages 5 and 8 — inside the vehicle.
“A strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot watery eyes and mumbled and slow speech” were noted by the trooper during the stop, according to the official incident report.
When asked about visible damage to his truck, Broce denied being in a wreck, claiming the damage was from an accident that happened over a year earlier. However, the report says the trooper detected a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, even as Broce denied having consumed any alcohol.
A breathalyzer test later confirmed the presence of alcohol. Broce agreed to participate in a field sobriety test but was reportedly too unsteady to perform the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand tests.
“Mr. Broce repeatedly moved his head and swayed heavily while sitting on my bumper,” the trooper wrote in his report.
Charges Filed
Investigators say Broce was arrested and booked into the Bartow County Jail, where he was charged with:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Endangering a child under 14 while DUI
- Hit-and-run
- Failure to maintain lane
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Broce failed multiple sobriety tests before being taken into custody. The incident occurred just miles from where the reported hit-and-run had taken place earlier that evening.
Family and Public Scrutiny
Broce is the husband of Candice Broce, who serves as the Director of Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services. The department, which oversees child protection and welfare services statewide, has now found itself under added public scrutiny following the arrest.
“There are protocols in place to avoid conflicts of interest if a report is received about an agency employee,” a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) said in a statement.
Officials emphasized that the department could not comment further on personnel-related matters but confirmed that standard procedures would apply to ensure transparency and fairness.
Community Reaction and Context
The arrest has stirred conversation among Georgia residents and advocates concerned about accountability in child welfare leadership. While no allegations have been made against Director Broce herself, public attention has focused on how the DHS handles internal investigations involving family members of high-ranking officials.
Authorities say this case will move forward through Bartow County Court, and Jason Broce remains under active investigation.
What are your thoughts on this case and how state agencies should handle conflicts of interest involving leadership families? Share your views in the comments below.
