In December 1995, West Palm Beach officers investigated the death of a body later identified as that of Jay Crocker, whose parents lived in Miami Shores. Officers asked law enforcement in Miami Shores to contact the parents but did not say it was to report the death of their son. Officers never reached the parents, who did not learn of their son's death until six months later, after their son's body had been buried in an unmarked pauper's grave. They sued the city and county, but the trial court dismissed the claims. The Fourth District Court affirmed but certified a question to this Court.