http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jun ... g_be_roof/?

By Katy Bishop

Originally published — 5:49 p.m., June 25, 2007
Updated — 9:20 p.m., June 25, 2007

As an injured roofer left the hospital, questions arose about his age and whether he was old enough to be working on a roof at all.

Alejandro Dorantes was working on top of a two-story building in Naples when he fell about 25 feet onto a concrete sidewalk, Naples police reported Friday when they gave his age as 17.

But Dorantes’ employer, West Coast Florida Enterprises Inc., has responded, saying he is 20 years old, citing his I-9 sworn statement, photo ID and green card.

Federal and state child labor laws prohibit anyone under age 18 from working on roofs, said Alexis Antonacci, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation spokeswoman.

Dorantes, who has worked for the company for less than one year, was discharged from the hospital Sunday with a broken arm and hairline facial fractures, said Scott Otey, vice president of West Coast Florida Enterprises Inc., which formerly was named West Coast Roofing and Waterproofing Inc.

According to the Naples police report, co-workers identified Dorantes, mentioned that he has no immediate family in the United States and said he lives with friends.

Naples police are investigating to determine if there’s any criminal wrongdoing, police spokesman James Hendry said.

“They haven’t determined the age,â€