The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a wide-ranging investigation into abuse and neglect of people with developmental disabilities at Illinois treatment facilities.
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Archive for the ‘Abuse’ CategoryProPublica: We Found Widespread Abuse of Disabled Patients at an Illinois Facility. The DOJ Is Investigating.The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a wide-ranging investigation into abuse and neglect of people with developmental disabilities at Illinois treatment facilities. Palm Beach County Health Officials Issue Emergency Order Against Treatment Center for Kids After a Child’s Death for Negligence and Failure to Follow Critical Mental Health ProceduresA residential mental health treatment facility in Palm Beach County, Florida can’t admit new clients with a “history of self-harm, suicidal ideations or suicide attempts” according to an order issued by the state. As reported by WFLX Fox 29, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) claims that employees at the facility violated multiple policies in the days leading up to the tragic suicide of a 15-year-old. Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Legal PerspectiveAs an attorney in Kelley Kronenberg’s Justice for Kids Division, I’ve seen firsthand how critical early recognition of child abuse can be. The statistics are stark and sobering:
WFSU: The Franklin County sheriff calls out DCF for abandoning kidsAs reported by WFSU, Franklin County Sheriff A. J. Smith is again calling out the Florida Department of Children and Families for failing to serve abused children and neglected kids in his jurisdiction. ABC News: Foster parents of several Turpin siblings sentenced on child abuse chargesFoster parents who took in several children after they were rescued from previous abuse were sentenced on child abuse charges on October 18. It’s been an unimaginable, tragic course of events for the Turpin children whose parents severely abused them. The siblings were rescued from their home only to face more trauma. Mother of Young Boy Suffocated in Bed in 2013 Accused of MurderThe mother of a 4-year-old boy, Antwan Hope Jr., who was suffocated in his bed in 2013 has been arrested on one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated child abuse in her son’s death, Coral Springs Police announced on August 26. WPEC: No prison time for mother who imprisoned adoptive son in 8×8 boxAs reported by WPEC, a South Florida mother accused of keeping her adoptive son locked in an 8×8 box in the garage pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment and neglect of a child. She was sentenced to 10 years of probation with one year of house arrest. Exposing 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:
Navigating A Path Forward: Steps to Take in Suspected Child Abuse CasesAs Justice for Kids marks Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s imperative that we shine a spotlight on this critical issue affecting Illinois and the broader nation. Statistics unveiled by the Department for Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the US Department of Health and Human Services paint a stark picture of the magnitude of child abuse and neglect within our communities. With over 231,000 calls to the DCFS hotline last year and an annual victim count reaching over 35,000 in Illinois alone, the urgency for awareness and action has never been more pressing. April: A Month of Awareness and Action for Children’s RightsAs the flowers in spring bloom, we should not forget that April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when we collectively turn our attention to the silent struggles of countless abused, neglected and catastrophically injured children who face trauma and unimaginable circumstance within what should be the safety of their homes and foster care. At Justice for Kids, our commitment to uphold and protect children’s rights is not just our mission; it’s a promise—a vow to stand in the gap for the voiceless and the vulnerable. 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. |
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