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Archive for the ‘Adoption’ Category
As reported by the Gainesville Sun, ” two Gainesville children — ages 8 and 10 — who fled to safety last week say they were repeatedly hit, fed only bread and water along with table scraps, ‘drowned’ in a bathtub, and burned or shocked by their adoptive parents.” Read more by clicking here.
(Scroll Beyond This Introduction to Read the Latest Blog Post)
Thousands of foster children, former foster children, developmentally disabled and medically needy children are part of the Florida child care system. If you’re currently or formerly a child in – or an advocate for or parent of a child in the foster care system, Florida Child Advocate is here to help.
Every year, thousands of foster children, medically needy children, or those physically abused, sexually abused, the victims of personal injury, legal damages, and pain and suffering are left to seek solutions on their own. No child should go through this on his or her own. And for the almost 500 who have died while under state watch, they deserved better.
This site was created by the law firm of Talenfeld Law, which was founded by nationally known Florida child advocate Howard Talenfeld, the preeminent children’s rights attorneys focusing exclusively on protecting the rights of physically and sexually abused children, developmentally disabled children and other at-risk children. Florida Child Advocate is dedicated to protecting children and addressing key issues facing those with foster care, physical abuse, child sexual abuse, social services, dependency, disability or personal injury and damages claims or lawsuits against the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), lead agencies, community based care providers, and other child welfare providers.
We believe that children belong with their own families. However, we also believe that when protective investigations by the Florida DCF and its agencies reveal that children are at high risk of neglect, child sex abuse or physical abuse by their parents, they must be placed with suitable relatives when they are available, and if not, some children must be placed in foster care. Critically, if children are going to be taken into foster care, they should be protected by the Florida Department of Children & Families and their community partners from the risk of physical and sexual abuse and returned home or placed in loving and nurturing adoptive families as quickly as possible. Topics also include the rights of foster Children to be safe from harm in care, their right to medical, psychological care, and disability benefits, their educational rights, and their rights on the road to independence.
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More than 150 local attorneys and officials were in attendance this week to celebrate the awarding of the University of Miami Law Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award to Howard M. Talenfeld. A leading Florida foster care abuse attorney and life-long advocate for children’s rights, Talenfeld was recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of society’s most vulnerable citizens.
The award was presented by Fort Lauderdale attorney and 2015 award recipient Bruce Lyons, Miami attorney and president of the Law Alumni Association Edward R. Shohat, and University of Miami School of Law Dean Patricia D. White.
“Howard was a natural for this award. We’re very proud of his pioneering work for children’s causes,” said Shohat. “The association represents over 30,000 alumni around the world, and Howard is an excellent ambassador for the school.”
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In its 10 years serving Florida’s at-risk foster children, Florida Youth Shine has helped thousands of current and former foster children find their way – and serve as examples for other kids going through the state child welfare system. One such success story is Janice Goldsberry.
 Now 22 years old, Janice was in foster care for 11 years, from the age of 7 until she “aged out” at 18. She was often separated from her two siblings, had been in 15 homes that she can recall, 11 middle and high schools, and was the victim of the emotional trauma common to foster children.
Though her feelings of emotional neglect and depression continue, Janice still is a success story.
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 As an attorney, Gloria W. Fletcher was the staunchest advocate for her clients. As a champion for the children, she was one of Florida’s great child advocates. Though a formidable, tenacious criminal defense attorney for her clients, including many law enforcement personnel, Gloria arguably had her greatest impact on the lives of children. From the streets of Gainesville, to the federal and state courts of Florida, to the halls of the Florida Legislature and even the governor’s office, she was a force to be reckoned with when arguing on behalf of the state’s neediest children. That was where many knew her best. With her passing this week, that’s where many will miss her most.
Gloria for years served as Vice President and an active board member of Florida’s Children First, a statewide child advocacy organization, where she pressed for foster children to have attorneys. With her relationships in the capital and her unwillingness to take “No” for an answer, she pursued key legislation from sponsors through committees straight to the governor’s desk.
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If making life better for Florida’s abused, abandoned and neglected children is not already on your charitable priority list, consider Florida’s Children First. Thanks to the unwavering support of child advocates and supporters statewide, we’ve been able to help some of the 20,000 children in foster care who depend Florida’s Children First to make improvements in the system of care that make their lives better.
You can read here about our most recent accomplishments. But we need your help to continue our good work. Your donation to Florida’s Children First helps children who have been abused or neglected or abandoned, and your money is used wisely. Instead of asking you for a donation today, we are asking that you plan for the future and put Florida’s Children First in your 2015 Charitable Giving Budget.
There are three things that set us apart from the rest:
1. Our work is informed by the voice of the youth – listening to and promoting our youth advocacy organization, Florida Youth SHINE (current and former foster youth).
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Florida’s Children First, the state’s premier child advocacy organization, will hold its 2014 Broward Child Advocacy Awards & Reception on Thursday, February 27 at 5:30pm at the 110 Tower in Fort Lauderdale (110 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33301).
The event will honor:
– Children’s Services Council of Broward County as the Children’s Advocate of the Year
– Taevon Pierre & Aaron Dames as the Youth Honorees of the Year and
– Forever Family Bella’s Group as the Youth Inspiration Award
Master of Ceremonies will be Todd Templin, former WPLG reporter and current Vice President with Boardroom Communications.
Sponsors include Boardroom Communications; Colodny Fass Talenfeld Karlinsky Abate & Webb; Guardian Trust: Coral Gables Trust; Lifestyle Media Group; Daily Business Review; and Paul Palank Memorial Foundation.
For more information, contact: Debby Beck (fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org or 954-796-0860).
What can you learn from a child or young adult? Listen and you’ll see. Members of Florida Youth Shine, who are current and former foster children, spent their summer speaking to child advocates throughout Florida, and working in the nation’s capital. They shared information about independent living legislation and other issues affecting foster kids.
The “Voice of the Youth” series took the young adults across the state to share their stories.
They spoke at trainings sessions, statewide committee meetings, and to the media that covers child advocacy issues.
In the past weeks, 22 Florida Youth Shine members actively participated in two workshops at The Department of Children and Families Child Dependency Summit in Orlando. There to learn, advocate and learn about leadership building, they also presented at workshops and served on panel discussions.
Among the events in which Florida Youth Shine members participated were:
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The Florida Department of Children and Families finds itself under increasing scrutiny as yet another child suffers serious abuse and apparent personal injury while under its watch. Child advocates and attorneys fear for the child’s future – and that of others like him.
The Sunshine State News Service asked in an article whether a Florida DCF transformation of its old system “cut too many corners” It’s a valid and timely question.
The child most recently injured was first admitted to the hospital with a broken leg his mother claimed resulted from a fall. Workers tasked with overseeing children did not act to investigate the claims. A later cracked rib went uninvestigated. The child was nearly killed in the third incident that severed his liver.
At least one judge has had enough.
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The Daily Business Review in Miami / South Florida reports on the 10 severely disabled adults, including four who are homeless, who will get help under a $9.7 million settlement with New York City for abuse they suffered as children or young adults in an adoption scam perpetrated by Judith Leekin.
Two South Florida law firms – one whose partner is Howard Talenfeld, considered among the top child abuse, personal injury, damage claims and wrongful death attorneys focused on foster child and at-risk populations – negotiated the settlement.
The lawsuit filed in New York federal court in 2009 in collaboration with Children’s Rights Inc., a New York-based nonprofit law firm.
“The partial settlement could not have come at a better time because four of these young adults are homeless and need the settlement immediately just to survive,” said Talenfeld, with Fort Lauderdale firm Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb said. “We’ve come too close to losing one or two former Leekin children, and we had to act.”
The other attorney, Ted Babbitt of Babbitt, Johnson, Osbourne & Le Clainche in West Palm Beach, said $3 million each would go to two adoptees placed with foster mother Judith Leekin through a city-run adoption office. The city’s liability was higher in those cases because of its direct involvement.
Read the entire story here.
Although the Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary’s initiative to recruit 1,200 more foster parents is admirable, the plan to eliminate the rules could prove disastrous for some children. In repealing these rrules, Florida needs to remember the death of children like Nubia Barahona and Latiana Hamilton where foster and adoptive parents were directly responsible for the deaths of these children. The negligence of DCF and employees of private agencies were directly responsible for the deaths of these foster children.
According to a story in the Tallahassee Demograt, “On Thursday, Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins announced an initiative to help families care for kids temporarily taken from their families. The initiative, Fostering Florida’s Future, is a marketing campaign to recruit 1,200 new foster families and promote less-restrictive parenting rules that did little to protect children and much to discourage participation by foster parents.”
Florida had some 4,317 foster families in Florida in June, a 14 percent decline from the year before, the paper reported. “The department recruited 1,000 families last year, but more left for a variety of reasons. Some adopted the kids they fostered. Others chose not to continue as foster parents as they aged, Wilkins said.”
Read more…
Under the cloud of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case, attorneys, guardians and other child welfare advocates are watching a new law that has the Florida the Department of Children and Families preparing for the prospect of thousands of new calls reporting child abuse. In October, one of the toughest child abuse reporting laws in the nation will debut in the state.
“What we’re saying to the public is – if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected by anybody contact us,” DCF spokesman John Harrell told Action News Jacksonville.
As the news organization reported, Florida law currently requires mandatory reporting of child abuse by parent or a caregiver. The new “Protection of Vulnerable Persons” law will launch DCF involvement regardless who the suspected abuser is.
“Based on our research, with this new law we’re expecting about 30,000 more calls,” Harrell told the news organization. Currently, DCF receives about 40,000 calls a year.
Read the entire story here.
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Kalamazoo, MI – April 2, 2021 – NBC News- Michigan to ban restraints in youth facilities after Cornelius Frederick’s death The death of a 16-year-old foster child who was restrained led Michigan officials to re-evaluate the care children receive in these facilities.
Miami, FL – March 29, 2021 – Local 10 WPLG- Miami-Dade teacher faces judge after arrest on charges of sexually molesting student A South Florida high school teacher is facing several charges for allegedly sexually molesting a student.
Palm Beach, FL – March 29, 2021 – The Miami Herald- Latest indictment says Ghislaine Maxwell groomed girl as young as 14 for Epstein’s abuse Ghislaine Maxwell was indicted Monday on federal sex trafficking charges involving a victim who says she was 14 when she was groomed by Maxwell to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein at his Palm Beach mansion.
Hollywood, FL – March 23, 2021 – The Sun-Sentinel- Federal grand jury indicts two for trafficking 16-year-old girl for sex, prosecutors say A federal grand jury has indicted a Hollywood man and a Miami Gardens woman for the alleged sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl.
Pasco County, FL – March 6, 2021 – The Miami Herald- DCF employee and her husband charged with sexually battering a 13-year-old girl, cops say A Department of Children and Families employee and her husband are accused of repeatedly sexually battering a 13-year-old girl over a period of 10 months, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
Clearwater, FL – March 5, 2021 – The New York Post- Florida couple charged with neglecting 3 children, killing 1 A heartless Florida couple is facing a slew of charges for severely neglecting three kids — including one who died last summer, authorities said.
Tallahassee, FL – February 5, 2021 – The Miami Herald- Leadership changes at DCF, AHCA as DeSantis names new heads of key state agencies After just two years at the helm, Chad Poppell has resigned as the head of the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.
Sunrise, FL – February 2, 2021 – The Miami Herald- Two FBI agents fatally shot, three wounded while serving warrant in Sunrise. Gunman is dead Two agents were shot and killed and three wounded while serving a warrant at a Sunrise home Tuesday morning, the FBI confirmed Tuesday morning.
Tallahassee, FL – January 26, 2021 – The Miami Herald- State’s investigation points to these non-profit executives making too much money A Hialeah mental health center, the lead foster care provider in Tampa and agencies that provide child welfare services in Sarasota and mental health services in Pensacola are among the nine nonprofit organizations spending millions compensating executives above the limits allowed by state law, a preliminary report from the governor’s Office of Inspector General has found.
Plantation, FL – January 24, 2021 – WPLG Local 10- Baby bleeding outside car, mother ‘passed out’ from alcohol inside, according to Plantation police A 27-year-old mother is facing charges of child abuse and other offenses after a 7-month girl was found outside of a car in Plantation bleeding, according to Plantation Police.
Orlando, FL – January 14, 2021 – WESH 2 News- Quick-thinking Orlando waitress credited with saving boy from allegedly abusive parents An Orlando waitress saved a young boy from allegedly abusive parents after she noticed he was bruised and wasn’t being allowed to eat.
Daytona Beach, FL – January 7, 2021 – The Daytona Beach News-Journal- ERAU professor, local pastor arrested on child porn charges had plans to foster children A former Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor and local church pastor arrested Wednesday for possessing child pornography had plans to foster children from the state, Daytona Beach police said.
Ocala, FL – December 22, 2020 – The Miami Herald- Florida’s Lowell prison is cesspool of sexual abuse by staff, feds say in blistering report In a scathing rebuke of Florida’s Department of Corrections, the U.S. Department of Justice has found that officers at Lowell Correctional Institution have repeatedly raped, sodomized, beaten and choked female inmates as part of a pattern of rampant civil rights abuses that go back years.
Orange County, FL – December 15, 2020 – The Miami Herald- Florida dropped its probe of a troubled group home. Then a man died at its sister facility State disability administrators were so concerned for the safety of residents at an Orange County group home that they filed a complaint in March, alleging the home’s staff improperly restrained a resident, and then it lied about what happened.
Broward County, FL – December 10, 2020 – The Sun-Sentinel- Grand jury: Florida’s mental health care system ‘a mess’ Florida’s broken mental health system has “urgent problems” and should be overhauled by a new commission with broad authority to investigate failures, a statewide grand jury says.
Jacksonville, FL – December 4, 2020 – Action News Jax- Caseworkers talk challenges of helping abused and neglected kids virtually Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives and do our jobs, and there’s growing concern among the child welfare community.
Miami, FL – November 23, 2020 – Florida Today- I’m a former foster child and Florida’s system needs to be overhauled | Opinion The USA TODAY Network’s recent landmark investigation into Florida’s child welfare system reflects both my personal experience in foster care and the ways in which well-meaning state policies often inflict unintentional harm on a community’s most vulnerable population.
Miami, FL – November 30, 2020 – The Miami Herald- She aged out of foster care, but her siblings haven’t. She’s trying to get custody Rodericka Carter, 21, lives in an almost empty apartment high up over Brickell.
Leon County, FL – November 23, 2020 – Tallahassee Reports- Leon County Commission Outlines Next Steps for Children’s Services Council Earlier this month, Leon County voters approved the creation of a Children’s Services Council.
Palm Beach County, FL – November 13, 2020 – The Sun-Sentinel- A mom will explain how her 7-pound girl starved to death. The dad faces the death penalty. By all appearances that night in the emergency room, Tayla Aleman never had a chance.
Sarasota County, FL – November 12, 2020 – 10 Tampa Bay- Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee accused of sexually abusing a child A Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual battery of a person under 18.
Flagler County, FL – November 11, 2020 – WESH 2- DCF worker accused keeping abuse of child from law enforcement A Florida Department of Children and Families worker was arrested after the abuse of a child was allegedly kept from law enforcement for weeks.
Tallahassee, FL – November 1, 2020 – WFSU- Florida’s Foster Care System Woes Spark Furious Debate On Fixes A critical newspaper story has roiled Florida’s child welfare system. Lawmakers and advocates are concerned.
Kendall, FL – October 29, 2020 – The Miami Herald- Miami mom accused of drowning autistic son in canal faces death penalty after indictment Patricia Ripley, the West Kendall mother accused of murdering her 9-year-old autistic son by pushing him into a canal, now faces the death penalty.
New York, NY – October 27, 2020 – NBC News- NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere sentenced to 120 years in prison The shadowy group that operated near Albany, New York, has been the subject of the HBO docuseries “The Vow.”
Tallahassee, FL – October 27, 2020 – Florida Trend- Attorney General Moody and FLHSMV Launch Highway Heroes Campaign to Stop Human Trafficking on Florida Roadways Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles today launched a campaign aimed at enlisting half a million commercial truck drivers in the fight to end human trafficking.
New York, NY – October 27, 2020 – The New York Times- Sex Cult Leader, Facing Life Sentence, Regrets Nothing Several victims are expected to testify when Keith Raniere, the founder of Nxivm, is sentenced this week for sex trafficking, extortion and other crimes.
Boca Raton, FL – October 26, 2020 – NBC News- Inside the surveillance software tracking child porn offenders across the globe In December 2016, law enforcement agents seized computers and hard drives from the home of Tay Christopher Cooper, a retired high school history teacher, in Carlsbad, California. On the devices, digital forensic experts found more than 11,600 photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse, according to court documents.
Miami Gardens, FL – October 26, 2020 – Local 10 News- Popular track-and-field youth coach arrested on alleged sexual battery A popular Miami Gardens youth track-and-field coach was arrested Sunday on allegations of sexual battery pertaining to a former teenaged female athlete, according to an arrest warrant.
Daytona Beach, FL – October 25, 2020 – The Daytona Beach News-Journal- USA Today investigation shows that protecting children must be a top priority Florida lawmakers have a bad habit of trying to solve social problems on the cheap. When it comes to the child welfare system, the results have been disastrous.
Miami, FL – October 16, 2020 – WSVN 7 News- Special education teacher at Auburndale Elementary School arrested, fired after child abuse accusations A special education teacher at Auburndale Elementary School has been arrested and fired after some alarming allegations.
Miami, FL – October 16, 2020 – The Daily Business Review- A Warning to Schools: Miami-Dade Child’s Lawsuit Alleges Sex Harassment by Classmates A lawsuit that alleges a middle school student was sexually assaulted by classmates because the School Board of Miami-Dade County ignored repeated reports of harassment could serve as a lesson to all schools on liability under federal civil rights law Title IX.
Broward County, FL – October 12, 2020 – The Sun-Sentinel- These 19- and 21-year-old women trafficked girls for sex, prosecutors say Two young women posted nude photos of underage girls on websites in order to sell the children for sex, and rented Airbnbs almost a dozen times so that clients and victims could meet, prosecutors say.
Tallahassee, FL – October 6, 2020 – Florida Politics- 2020 Human Trafficking Summit kicks off virtually with thousands in attendance Attorney General Ashley Moody on Monday delivered her opening remarks at the 2020 Human Trafficking Summit, which is being held virtually for the first time in the event’s history.
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Peers Mourn Loss of Florida’s Leading Child Advocate, Foster Child Abuse Attorney
Gloria for years served as Vice President and an active board member of Florida’s Children First, a statewide child advocacy organization, where she pressed for foster children to have attorneys. With her relationships in the capital and her unwillingness to take “No” for an answer, she pursued key legislation from sponsors through committees straight to the governor’s desk.
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