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Archive for October, 2012

Newspaper Pursues Claims of Abuse ‘In God’s Name’ at Florida’s Unlicensed Religious Children’s Homes

October 30th, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

This investigative series from the Tampa Bay Times explores the sad story of unlicensed religious children’s homes in Florida. While most promise righteousness through military-like exercise and recitation of Scripture, the stories reveal claims of practices that border on or include physical abuse, personal injury, wrongful death and other actions. It also highlights responses and findings from the Florida Department of Children and Families. For many advocates, guardians or attorneys keen to protect the rights of foster children or any in Florida’s at-risk population, the package deserves reading. Visit the entire package here.

(UPDATE) According to the Lakeland Ledger, the DCF promises to investigate the situation.

Complaint: Carlton Palms Halfway House & School for Severely Disabled a Home For Child Abuse, Beatings

October 27th, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases

Child advocates and attorneys are alarmed that Carlton Palms Education Center, a halfway house and school for severely disabled people in Lake County, Florida, was accused in a complaint filed by state officials alleging that residents were being choked, beaten and dragged across the floor.

The state is petitioning the court to prevent Carlton Palms from accepting new patients. Worries exist over the possible extent of personal injury, physical abuse and other harm coming to the residents. Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ records reveal that since 2010, at least eight cases of confirmed abuse have been reported. “At least three of those cases this year led to felony arrests,” reported the Orlando Sentinel.

The paper continued, “Law-enforcement reports, as well as complaints filed by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, tell of disabled people who were bruised and battered by employees.”

Read the entire story here.

Child Sexual Abuse Blog: When Authority Figures Are Abusers

October 22nd, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases

The following column by North Central Florida / Gainesville child advocate, foster child, and child sexual abuse attorney and criminal defense lawyer Gloria Fletcher appeared last week in newspapers in Gainesville and Ocala. The message – about the horror of child sexual abuse by “authority figures” like former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky and Florida pastor James Harris – is equally terrifying no matter where the crimes occur.

Lost in the news of former Penn State University assistant coach Jerry Sandusky being sentenced to between 30 and 60 years for his conviction of sexually abusing young boys was equally disturbing news about James Harris, the Belle Glade, Florida, pastor convicted of sexually abusing teenage boys under his watch – and sentenced this week to 30 years in prison.

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Boy Scouts of America ‘Perversion Files’ Show Depth of Sexual Abuse, Personal Injury Group’s Personnel Perpetrated on Kids

October 20th, 2012   No Comments   Commentary, Court Cases, Damage Claims, Sexual Abuse

The similarities between the Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Church and the coaching staff and administration at Penn State University are chilling – and reprehensible. All three had pedophiles in their midst, perpetrating unspeakable sexual assault, personal injury, and pain and suffering on child victims and youths in their care.

And to avoid damage claims, all three worked diligently to hide the sexual assault, personal injury, and pain and suffering of child victims from parents, outsiders and authorities.

As child advocates and child care attorneys now learn of the more than 14,500 pages of previously confidential documents released by the Boy Scouts of America regarding child sexual abuse, observers and authorities are left to wonder how this could happen so deeply in the organization – and for so long.

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Florida Child Care Attorney: Second Teen in Youth Facilities Ignored as He Lay Dying

October 19th, 2012   No Comments   News & Events, Personal Injury

As if history is repeating itself in a tale of possible wrongful death, pain and suffering, and personal injury, a recently released report explores the case of a Florida youth in a state youth lockup who died of a brain injury after complaining of serious pain and personal injury to guards and supervisors. The incident follows a 2003 case where a youth in lockup complained of severe stomach pain, was ignored, and later died of a burst appendix, the Miami Herald reported.

The similarities surrounding the possibilities of wrongful death, personal injury and claims of pain and suffering being ignored are as striking as they are tragic.

The first detainee, Eric Perez, was despondent and in severe pain for several hours. All the while, he was ignored by facility personnel. The prison guard said Perez was “faking it.”

In the earlier case, youth Omar Paisley was in Miami-Dade juvenile lockup in 2003 when he died of the burst appendix.

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Orlando Magic’s Pat Williams to be Honored at Florida’s Children First Oct. 17 Orlando Event for Community Heroes Committed to Helping Local Foster Children

October 15th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

Orlando, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF) will recognize Orlando individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Orlando Reception Oct. 17 at Shakai Sushi Lounge in downtown Orlando. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.

Among the evening’s honorees is Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Pat is a renowned motivational speaker and supporter of children’s issues. He and his wife, Ruth, are also parents of 19 children, including 14 adopted.

The event will also recognize Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court. Chief Judge Perry diligently fights to protect and uphold the law, benefitting the citizens and youth of Central Florida.

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Florida’s Children First Honors Local Foster Care Advocates at Annual Palm Beach Event; CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Jim and John Walsh Among Honorees

October 6th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF), a statewide children’s advocacy organization, honored several Palm Beach County individuals for their efforts on behalf of foster children and other at-risk youth at its awards event this week, held at the Phillips Point Club in West Palm Beach.

More than 75 people attended this year’s FCF Palm Beach Reception on Oct. 4, which is an annual gathering of community leaders, attorneys, former foster children and others concerned about Florida’s foster care system. The event recognized five individuals from throughout the county including: Jim and John Walsh, CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Francis Jeune and Na’Kira Hodges.

Jim and John Walsh were recognized as this year’s “Children’s Advocates.” They serve as co-supervisors of the Foster Children’s Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. They also helped create the project, which represents foster children with a focus on permanency.

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Broward Bar Association Young Lawyers Hit Links for At-Risk Kids

October 2nd, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

When members and friends of the Broward County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section hit the links Oct. 13, players will be doing more than vying for bragging rights or the chance at a new convertible. They’ll be raising money for Florida’s at-risk youth. The Boardroom Communications YLS Charity Golf tournament, now in its 25th year, will steer 100% of its net proceeds to Florida’s Children First, the state’s premier advocacy organization for at-risk youth, as well as the local Broward Chapter of Florida Youth SHINE, a youth-run, peer-driven organization works to change the culture of Florida’s foster care system. Read the entire article here.

“Everyone will have fun and many will be playing to win. But the Tournament showcases the best our profession and supporters have to offer,” said Howard Talenfeld, a prominent Fort Lauderdale child advocate attorney with event sponsor Colodny Fass Talenfeld Karlinsky Abate & Webb, and Founder and President of Florida’s Children First. “Between charity events, advocacy and pro bono representation, Florida attorneys are to be lauded for giving back to those who need it the most.”

Tournament-day check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., range opens at 7 a.m. and there will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Kelley / Uustal will host a Tee-Off Happy Hour on Thursday, October 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at American Social on Las Olas. For additional information, to register to play or to sponsor the event, visit www.ylsgolftournament.com.

Florida Law Spurred by Penn State University, Sandusky Child Sex Abuse Scandal Takes Effect

October 2nd, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Advocacy

From the horrific child sex abuse, personal injury, damages and personal liability stemming from the Penn State University and Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal comes Florida’s abuse reporting law. Considered among the most stringent in the country, the new Protection of Vulnerable Persons law requires that anyone suspecting a child has been the victim of abuse must report their suspicions to the state Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873 – or 911 if the danger is immediate). Formerly, only if the suspected abuser was a parent or caregiver was reporting required.

This is a good change – one advocates, attorneys and guardians hope will keep at-risk children free of sexual or physical abuse. For far too long, we’ve operated under the false impression that abuser were those closest to the children. Sometimes, as we learned with Sandusky and Penn State, the abuser may be a trusted individual- but still not family or a caregiver.

“This law will help ensure all allegations of a child being harmed are immediately investigated by the appropriate agency,” David Wilkins, Department of Children and Families Secretary, said. “Reporting child abuse is our moral and legal obligation.”

Florida’s Children First to Host Palm Beach Event Honoring Community Heroes Committed to Helping Foster Children; CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Jim and John Walsh Among Honorees

October 1st, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF) will recognize Palm Beach County individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Palm Beach Reception Oct. 4 at the Phillips Point Club in West Palm Beach. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.

Dozens of Palm Beach County’s prominent business and community leaders, as well as individuals and families concerned about Florida’s foster care youth, are expected to attend to support the organization and its worthy cause.

This year’s Palm Beach Children’s Advocates are Jim and John Walsh, co?supervisers of the Foster Children’s Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.  Jim and John helped create the project, which represents foster children with a focus on permanency.
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