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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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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, 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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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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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.
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.”
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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The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County’s governing board voted unanimously this week to reduce the tax rate it assesses on county property owners by 2.3 percent, the Palm Beach Post reports. The result – about 2% less in funding, or $91.8 million. It’s total budget for 2012-13 will be $110 million, down just under 4%.
But less money does not translate to less service for children and families, CEO Tana Ebbole told the paper. “…[N]ew programs beginning within the coming months are proven programs that will help the council have an even bigger impact on the lives of Palm Beach County’s children and families.”
From its mission statement, “The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County is an independent special district established by Palm Beach County voters, who dedicated a source of funding so more children are born healthy, remain free from abuse and neglect, are ready for kindergarten, and have access to quality afterschool and summer programming.”
Following a scathing federal report that revealed that the Florida Department of Children and Families had forced foster children and other vulnerable kids from their families and into state-contracted nursing homes – possibly as a cost-cutting measure, the DCF has voiced denial of the activity.
“Everyone, including this fragile population, deserves to be cared for with the least restricted means,” Liz Dudek, the secretary of the state Agency for Health Care Administration, or AHCA, said to reporters at a news conference this week. “That’s where we want children to be.”
The report from the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division was scathing. It accused Florida healthcare agencies of “warehousing” sick, disabled and other at-risk children in adult nursing homes. In response, Dudek’s agency claimed it was in “full compliance” with federal laws that require governments to house and treat disabled people in community settings, whenever possible, the Miami Herald reported.
Read the full story here.
A Federal Department of Justice investigation that found children suffering physical and mental physical disabilities being housed in Florida nursing homes alongside seniors has Florida child advocate attorneys and lawyers representing foster and abused children alarmed.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, saying he wasn’t aware of the situation until recently, ordered the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families to investigate.
The Justice Department noted that children in such situations often lack access to fundamental services, like education. They’re also limited from socializing with peers. This is a denial of their civil rights, DOJ found.
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 Howard Talenfeld, a dedicated attorney and legal advocate for foster and at-risk children throughout Florida, and a partner with Fort Lauderdale law firm Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, & Abate, has been featured in Lifestyle Magazine.
The story speaks of Talenfeld’s focus on addressing abuse and personal injury suffered by at-risk children, and his efforts to sue DCF (the Florida Department of Children and Families) and community-based care providers who often fail in their jobs to see to the needs of Florida’s kids
Read the profile here.
With all the horror stories of children who are victims of neglect, physical and sexual abuse and other crimes and personal injury against minors at private foster service agencies, it’s both disturbing and rewarding to hear that this week the Florida Department of Children and Families pulled one such contract.
DCF reportedly terminated its 10-year contract with Child and Family Connections, a Palm Beach County community-based agency hired to provide services to the county’s foster children. According to news reports, DCF cited “poor performance and ‘serious concerns’ by local judiciary officials.”
The review lasted several months and followed news of leadership changes at the organization, including the resignation in June of CEO Judith Karim. Reports also cited staff turnover and poor performance, the Palm Beach Post reported.
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Tallahassee, FL – August 27, 2025 – WJHG News Channel 7- New law makes moving easier for Florida foster families Moving is stressful enough, but for foster families in Florida, it’s often meant starting from scratch.
Miami, FL – August 14, 2025 – NBC 6 South Florida- North Miami couple arrested after kids found ‘severely malnourished’: Police A North Miami couple was arrested for child neglect after authorities said their two young children were found “severely malnourished” and one had arm and leg fractures.
Yorkville, IL – August 12, 2025 – Fox 32- Illinois lawmaker, DCFS dispute legality of intern investigators in child abuse cases An Illinois lawmaker is accusing the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of breaking state law by allowing uncertified interns to conduct child abuse and neglect investigations, while the agency says all investigators meet legal certification requirements.
Miami Gardens, FL – August 5, 2025 – CBS News- Miami Gardens mom faces neglect charges after nine children found living in “deplorable conditions,” police say A Miami Gardens mom is facing multiple counts of child neglect after police discovered nine children living in a home in “deplorable conditions,” according to Miami Gardens police.
Riviera Beach, FL – July 7, 2025 – CBS 12 News- DCF won’t comment after 7-year-old girl stomped to death; mom charged with murder It’s the agency with the most important mission in the state: keeping kids safe.
Tallahassee, FL – July 4, 2025 – WCJB- New Florida laws expand access to care for children with disabilities Children with disabilities across Florida will soon see more support, thanks to two new state laws aimed at improving access to care.
Clewiston, FL – May 27, 2025 – Fox 4- Clewiston city director arrested, accused of sending explicit texts to child A City of Clewiston operations director is facing serious charges – accused of sending sexually explicit texts to a 12-year-old girl.
Miami, FL – April 30, 2025 – NBC Miami- ‘Wish you well in hell’: Survivor quotes Cardi B as nurse gets life in adoptive daughter’s murder A Miami-Dade nurse convicted in the 2018 death of her 7-year-old adoptive daughter and the abuse of her other two adopted children was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.
Orlando, FL – April 29, 2025 – WFTV 9- Records show Florida knew about defects in application portal for DCF benefits For more than a year, Florida’s Department of Children and Families has been telling 9 Investigates there are no problems with the state’s website for SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
Springfield, IL – April 25, 2025 – Capitol News Illinois- Illinois community-based foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’ Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend could lead to closures.
Miami, FL – April 1, 2025 – WPLG Local 10- Disgraced ex-NYC councilman caught with child sex abuse videos at Miami airport, feds say A former member of the New York City Council — who left office in disgrace leading up to a federal bribery conviction — is now in the feds’ crosshairs again: this time in South Florida.
Cook County, IL – March 24, 2025 – WCBU- Illinois’ child welfare agency failed to produce critical reports after child deaths The state agency responsible for keeping Illinois’ most vulnerable children safe has failed to produce legally required public reports after examining what went wrong in hundreds of cases of child deaths and thousands of serious injuries, the Illinois Answers Project reports.
Chicago, IL – March 22, 2025 – ABC 7 Chicago- Illinois child welfare agency’s reporting on abuse and deaths scrutinized The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is now under scrutiny for its lack of proper reporting on child abuse and neglect cases, according to a report from the Illinois Answers Project.
Tallahassee, FL – March 9, 2025 – WFSU- Two Florida state agencies announce new tools for combating human trafficking Two state agencies are working to identify kids vulnerable to sex trafficking before they’re victimized. The Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have announced an enhanced screening tool and new grant funding for law enforcement.
Chicago, IL – January 31, 2025 – NPR Illinois- DCFS launches new app for caseworkers and families The state of Illinois is rolling out a new app to help parents of abused and neglected children better communicate with their Department of Children and Family Services [DCFS] caseworkers and with other service providers.
Broward County, FL – January 30, 2025 – The Sun-Sentinel- Broward Sheriff’s Office will stop staffing juvenile detention center in May Blaming staff shortages and an unsafe building to work in, the Broward Sheriff’s Office will no longer send deputies to work at the state’s Department of Justice’s Juvenile Assessment Center.
Vernon, CT – November 19, 2024 – WLBT- Woman left 4 kids home alone in ‘filth’ for days while she took a trip to New York, police say A woman in Connecticut is accused of leaving her four kids alone for days while she took a trip to New York, according to authorities.
Flagler County, FL – November 10, 2024 – CBS 12- Flagler County middle school employee accused of attacking disabled student An employee at Indian Trails Middle School has been accused of child abuse after she was caught on camera striking a disabled student in an unprovoked attack.
Chicago, Il – November 8, 2024 – CBS News Chicago- Troubled teen who escaped DCFS caseworkers was not placed into secure facility after being found A 17-year-old with a violent history escaped from his caseworkers in Chicago last month, and it turns out the foster child in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was not placed in a secure facility recommended to the state after being brought back into custody.
Jacksonville, FL – September 20, 2024 – Action News Jax- Duval County teacher under investigation after 8-year-old is injured A Beauclerc Elementary School teacher is being investigated by Duval County Public Schools after a physical incident with an 8-year-old student.
Miami, FL – September 3, 2024 – Miami Herald- Rising costs of care could strain funding for Florida program for brain-damaged kids Facing withering criticism from parents, advocates, lawmakers and insurance regulators, Florida’s compensation program for children born with catastrophic brain injuries opened its bank account three years ago and improved the lives of some of the state’s most disabled children.
Orlando, FL – September 2, 2024 – Orlando Sentinel- Autism drowning deaths prompt push for children’s specialized swim lessons Drowning is the number one cause of death for kids with autism and Florida leads the nation in fatalies.
Aventura, FL – August 5, 2024 – WSVN News 7- Parents arrested after leaving toddler in hot car while they shopped at Target in Aventura, police say A man and woman were arrested on child abuse charges after allegedly leaving their 2-year-old child in a hot car while they shopped at Target in Aventura.
Austin, TX – July 18, 2024 – WPLG Local 10- Largest housing provider for migrant children engaged in pervasive sexual abuse, US says Employees of the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S. repeatedly sexually abused and harassed children in their care for at least eight years, the Justice Department said Thursday, alleging a shocking litany of offenses that took place as the company amassed billions of dollars in government contracts.
Daytona Beach, FL – July 9, 2024 – WESH 2- Police: Man arrested in Daytona Beach after dangling, dropping child off second-floor resort balcony A 31-year-old man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly dropping a 4-year-old off the second floor of a Daytona Beach resort, according to an affidavit from the police department.
Palm Coast, FL – July 7, 2024 – WSVN 7- Florida woman charged with child neglect after good Samaritan finds 2-year-old son wandering near busy road alone A good Samaritan found a 2-year-old boy wandering in a Florida neighborhood all alone, and now the child’s mother is facing charges after she was found fast asleep inside their home.
Homestead, FL – May 16, 2024 – WPLG Local 10- Homestead couple accused of murdering their 6-month-old baby girl Two 24-year-old parents brought their 6-month-old to Homestead Hospital in cardiac arrest Sunday afternoon; doctors found that the baby had no pulse and signs of severe child abuse, according to police.
Brevard County, FL – May 16, 2024 – WESH 2 Orlando- Family sues Brevard County day care for alleged child abuse and negligence An incident at a Brevard County day care involving a child and teacher has led to more allegations of child abuse and negligence after the Department of Children and Families studied surveillance video.
Chicago, IL – May 7, 2024 – WSIL – TV- Lawsuit alleges pervasive child sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers for decades A group of 95 people filed a lawsuit in Illinois on Monday alleging they were sexually abused as children in juvenile detention centers across the state for over two decades.
Wildwood, FL – May 4, 2024 – Fox 35 Orlando- Florida DCF worker accused of abusing 11-year-old foster child A Kids Central employee was arrested after he aggressively threw an 11-year-old foster child onto a couch and hurt her, according to an arrest affidavit from the Wildwood Police Department.
Tallahassee, FL – May 3, 2024 – The Tampa Bay Times – Nearly 600,000 Florida kids shed from government health care, study says Nearly 600,000 Florida children lost their government-provided health insurance last year after the federal government ended the national COVID-related health emergency, more than any other state except Texas, according to a newly released report by the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
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Boy Scouts of America ‘Perversion Files’ Show Depth of Sexual Abuse, Personal Injury Group’s Personnel Perpetrated on Kids
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.
Read the rest of this entry »