As reported by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, the Oregon Department of Human Services has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the state’s foster children. The agreement, which ends five years of litigation, will hold the state agency more accountable for improving the Oregon child welfare system.
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Author ArchiveExposing the Hidden Nightmares: Former Inmates Break Silence on Sexual Abuse in Illinois Youth CentersThe once-hidden horrors of the Illinois Youth Centers (IYCs) are now under the glaring spotlight, as numerous former residents bravely speak out about the sexual abuse they ensured while detained, leading to multiple lawsuits for damages and a closer examination of systemic failures within these institutions. The alarming statistics from official reports, coupled with heart-wrenching personal accounts, have highlighted a pervasive issue that demands urgent attention. Justice for Kids Achieves Three Top 50 Florida VerdictsJustice for Kids, a division of Kelley Kronenberg, is pleased to announce the division and several of its attorneys have been recognized on Top Verdict’s list of the top 50 plaintiff’s jury verdicts obtained in Florida in 2023. These include:
Child Welfare Agencies Accused of Keeping Foster Children With Developmental Disabilities at Hospitals Beyond Medical NecessityFailure to discharge a foster child from a psychiatric hospital is actionable as a Civil Rights Claim Invoking 42 USC § 1983. Justice for Kids attorneys filed a civil rights lawsuit by a foster child for damages pursuant to 42 USC § 1983 in federal court in Palm Beach County, FL and for negligence against various Florida Department of Children and Families employees and a private mental health crisis stabilization unit for violating the due process rights of a foster child who was confined for almost one year in a crisis stabilization unit because there were no appropriate placements for discharge. The Plaintiff settled this lawsuit against the private agency for an undisclosed amount and the DCF and its employees for $1.6 million. Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill to Close Support Gap for Foster Youth in Transition to AdulthoodMay 6th, 2024
 No Comments  Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care, Legislative & Regulatory IssuesA new Florida law will provide youth in Florida’s foster care system with more support as they become adults. This legislation makes an existing Independent Living support called Aftercare Services available to a population of youth who were placed with relatives, non-relatives, or adopted as a teen. Previously, they were not able to access the vital programs and assistance they needed to thrive when they transitioned to independence at 18. These services include mentoring, tutoring, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, job and career skills training, parenting classes, emergency financial assistance, financial literacy training, and more. Faith’s Law, a Law Aimed at Eradicating Sexual Misconduct at Illinois’ SchoolsFaith’s Law is a law named after prevention advocate and child sexual abuse survivor Faith Colson, who was sexually abused by a teacher at her high school in Illinois. Years later, during the course of legal proceedings related to the abuse, Faith learned that several adults within her high school suspected that the teacher’s relationship with her was inappropriate but did not take appropriate action to report their concerns. This motivated Faith to push for change to state laws related to educator sexual misconduct in K-12 schools. Sexual Abuse and Negligence at an Elgin DaycareA former employee of an Elgin daycare is facing six counts of sexual abuse in connection to the abuse of two children younger than 13 years old over the course of nearly 14 years, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office. The Kane County Child Advocacy Center and the Elgin Police Department conducted the investigation, which revealed that the man, Walaitis, allegedly abused two children who were under the age of 13 between December 2008 and July 2022 while working at The Learning Tree, Elgin West. Those investigating said Walaitis was the victims’ teacher and held a position of authority, trust, and supervision over the children at the daycare center. Walaitis is now facing six felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The attorneys at Justice for Kids are able to help victims of such abuse seek justice to remedy the wrongs suffered. DCF Must Pay $15 Million to a Child for Failing to Protect her From Horrific Abuse, a Jury DecidedThe Department of Children and Families (DCF) failed to investigate complaints that the mother was using drugs and endangering her child, who suffered “catastrophic” permanent injuries from severe abuse and neglect. The child, H.H., is now eight years old and completely dependent on others for all aspects of her daily functioning, according to Justice for Kids, which represented her. The award is among the largest in state history for this kind of case. The jury’s verdict speaks to “the sheer magnitude and severity” of the girl’s injuries, attorney Stacie Schmerling said. The Department received a report through its abuse hotline about H.H. and her brother in May 2017, concerning drug activity in the home and poor living conditions. Moreover, the stepfather, who lived in the home and was a caregiver to H.H., had a criminal history that included arrests for violent crimes, the complaint says. WFTS: Citrus County taking over investigation of foster care abuse allegationsAs reported by ABC Action News, a group of individuals is accusing their former foster parents, Jacklyn and Jerold Logemann, of abuse. After nine kids in foster care were removed from their home, a criminal investigation was launched regarding allegations from former foster kids and the current living conditions at the home, according to police records. Miami New Times – Lawsuit: State Agency Ignored Red Flags Before Miami Mother Killed ChildrenNovember 2nd, 2023
Comments Off on Miami New Times – Lawsuit: State Agency Ignored Red Flags Before Miami Mother Killed Children AbuseA lawsuit has been filed accusing a state agency of ignoring red flags that ultimately led to the tragic deaths of two children. According to a report by Miami New Times, the agency ignored the increasingly dangerous household and signs that the mother was behaving erratically. Prominent Children’s Rights Attorney Howard Talenfeld Named to Florida Trend 500 Legends ListNovember 1st, 2023
Comments Off on Prominent Children’s Rights Attorney Howard Talenfeld Named to Florida Trend 500 Legends List News & EventsHoward M. Talenfeld, a leading children’s rights attorney and Business Unit Leader of Justice for Kids, a division of Kelley Kronenberg, has once again been selected by Florida Trend magazine for its annual Florida 500 list. This special section highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout Florida. Talenfeld has consistently been included in this publication since 2018. This year, he is listed in the “Legends” category. New Report Shows Florida Has Nation’s Highest Rate of Kids Visiting ERs For Preventable Dental IssuesAs reported by Florida Politics, a new report shows that most young children’s visits to emergency departments were related to a lack of preventive care, even when Medicaid covers the services. |
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