Eric Horvath, an experienced investigator who spent more than 27 years with Franklin County Probate Court, recently joined Franklin County DD to lead the agency’s MUI Department.

He and the MUI team also are moving from Service Coordination oversight and will report to Legal Counsel Gwynn Kinsel. “Any internal investigative arm of an agency should have some separation,” Kinsel said. “It just makes sense for MUI to be under Legal.”

MUI, an acronym that refers to a Major Unusual Incident involving a person served by Franklin County DD, is a high-volume department that handles more than 1,500 reports each year. Incidents vary widely, from abuse and neglect to unexpected hospitalizations and accidents.

“I look forward to bringing a fresh set of eyes to how we conduct investigations,” said Horvath, who began his new job on Nov. 29. “Part of my training right now is to sit back and listen and learn, and everyone has been so gracious.”

Franklin County DD Superintendent/CEO Dot Yeager noted that, while at Probate Court, Horvath and his investigators routinely collaborated with Franklin County DD, the ADAMH Board of Franklin County, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, APSI (Advocacy and Protective Services, Inc.) and several law enforcement agencies.  

“Eric brings lots of knowledge and experience,” Kinsel said. “We had a great working relationship in the past, and we’re very happy to have him here at our agency.”

A Columbus native, Horvath lives in the Eastmoor area with his wife, daughter and son. He said he loves the idea of building on his public-service career while leading a team that deals directly with Franklin County residents with developmental disabilities.

“We’re all in this together as a community,” he said. “Looking out for each other, and our neighbors, is important.”