Jacksonville, FL – January 28, 2023 – News4Jax- JSO: Toddler drowns in family pool at home in Jacksonville Heights neighborhood A toddler was found unresponsive in a family pool in the Jacksonville Heights neighborhood Saturday afternoon, The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said at a news briefing.
Brooksville, FL – January 12, 2023 – Fox 13 Tampa Bay- Florida holds roundtable to discuss human trafficking as arrests climb across state roadways Florida law enforcement officers gathered on Thursday to brainstorm ways to detect and stop human trafficking following a slew of arrests along the state’s highways.
Broward County, FL – January 10, 2023 – WPLG Local 10- Man sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for sex trafficking girl in Broward County A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after he was convicted of sex trafficking a teenager in Broward County who had been reported missing, authorities announced Tuesday.
Broward County, FL – January 3, 2023 – WPLG Local 10- BSO: Woman arrested for sex trafficking 13-year-old after leaving Broward foster home Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested an 18-year-old woman Monday who they said forced a 13-year-old girl to have sex with men after the two left a Southwest Ranches foster home.
Marathon, FL – December 21, 2022 – WPLG Local 10- Sheriff: Couple arrested in Keys after toddler found covered in roaches Deputies in the Florida Keys arrested a Fort Myers couple on child abuse and drug charges after they found a 2-year-old boy in “squalid” conditions, authorities said Wednesday.
Pembroke Pines, FL – December 20, 2022 – WPLG Local 10- Teacher’s aide accused of abusing autistic students at Broward school Pembroke Pines police arrested an Exceptional Student Education aide at West Broward High School Tuesday after accusing him of “inappropriately touching” at least two students with mental disabilities.
Tallahassee, FL – December 18, 2022 – The Sun-Sentinel- State leaders vow reforms to crack down on sex trafficking in Florida after Sun Sentinel investigation State officials vowed to implement new measures to fight sex trafficking in hotels, protect victims who cooperate with law enforcement and increase penalties for traffickers after a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation exposed a broken system that enables the illegal trade to flourish in Florida.
New York, NY – December 8, 2022 – Wall Street Journal- New York Law Offers Chance to Sue Over Decades-Old Sex-Abuse Claims Lawyers promise civil lawsuits after yearlong window opened Thursday.
Gainesville, FL – November 1, 2022 – WGFL News 4- Gainesville parents accused of keeping kids in feces covered home After an investigation from the Florida Department of Children and Families, Gainesville Police accuse 67-year-old Jana Ronan and 60-year-old John Ronan of child neglect.
Marion County, FL – October 29, 2022 – WESH 2 News- Missing Marion County 2-year-old found safe, deputies say The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said a 2-year-old reported missing has been found safe.
Chicago, IL – October 15, 2022 – ABC News- Prominent Chicago priest accused of sexual abuse of minor A Catholic priest who gained national fame as an activist has been asked to step away from his ministry while allegations that he sexually abused a minor decades ago are investigated.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – September 26, 2022 – Local 10- Police locate parent of boy with special needs who was found alone in Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale police have located the parent of a 9-year-old boy with special needs who was found alone Monday morning, authorities said.
National – September 14, 2022 – K12 Dive- More at-risk children and families need voluntary home visits Voluntary home visiting programs for young children and their families yield benefits like school readiness, crime prevention and economic independence for families, but only 9% of the highest-priority families receive services when federal, state and local resources are combined, according to a report released Tuesday.
Broward County, FL – September 2, 2022 – NBC Miami- Long-Time DCF Employee Accused of Giving Away Money, Benefits A 20-year veteran employee of Florida’s Department of Children and Families is accused of giving money, food stamps, Medicaid and other public assistance to people who did not qualify for it, court records show.
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2022 – CBS Chicago- ‘Numbers don’t lie’: After a 10th child on the DCFS radar dies in the last 9 months, lawmakers demand changes CBS 2 has learned another child on the radar of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has died.
Palmetto, FL – August 29, 2022 – ABC Action News- New report finds DCF’s human trafficking screening tool may not identify all victims A screening tool the state uses to help identify child victims of human trafficking is not very reliable, a new report shows, and “may not successfully identify” all kids.
Chicago, IL – August 10, 2022 – CBS News- Family on DCFS radar for 19 years under investigation again after 3-year-old I’Kera Hill died of malnourishment Three-year-old I’Kera Hill’s family was investigated 10 times for close to 20 years. Ten siblings were removed from the home.
Tallahassee, FL – July 21, 2022 – WPLG Local 10- Did you receive a $450 check in the mail from Gov. Ron DeSantis? Don’t throw it away, cash it Floridians have begun receiving $450 checks in the mail from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but a lot of people are wondering if it’s a scam.
Miami, FL – July 18, 2022 – The Miami Herald- Florida insisted mom wasn’t a danger to her children — until the kids were hogtied, strangled For years, state child welfare administrators responded with metronomic regularity to reports of violence and instability in the home of Odette Joassaint.
Homestead, FL – July 18, 2022 – WPLG Local 10- Family seeks answers in death of 10-month-old at Homestead daycare An investigation is ongoing after a 10-month-old baby died on Monday.
Tallahassee, FL – June 23, 2022 – Fox 35 Orlando- Florida Department of Children and Families looks to recruit veterans, former law officers Veterans, military spouses, and former law-enforcement officers are being encouraged to apply for jobs as state child-protective investigators in an initiative backed by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – June 22, 2022 – CBS News- Former Cerebral employees say company’s practices put patients at risk: “It’s chaotic. It’s confusing. It could be extremely dangerous” Dr. David Mou believes that Cerebral “saves lives.”
Pensacola, FL – June 17, 2022 – WPLG Local 10- DeSantis wants panel to probe trafficking, sanctuary cities Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked that a statewide grand jury be set up to examine networks that illegally smuggle people into the state.
Oakland Park, FL – June 15, 2022 – NBC 6 Miami – Parents Arrested After Girl, 3, Overdoses on Fentanyl: BSO An unconscious 3-year-old girl had no pulse and was not breathing when Oakland Park Fire Rescue resuscitated her with Narcan, a treatment for an opioid overdose, authorities said.