A New Mexico jury has awarded $485 million in damages in a civil case involving a child sexually assaulted in foster care. As reported by AP, the program allegedly placed the girl in the home of a foster parent despite knowing that he had been accused of sexual assault. Read... View Article
Results & verdicts
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Bill Reforming Sentencing for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking by Considering Child’s Involvement in Welfare System
Illinois’ General Assembly recently passed legislation that aims to reform criminal sentencing for minors, particularly those who are victims of child sex trafficking. House Bill 3414 adds to the factors that judges must consider when sentencing a child found guilty of a crime. Judges will now be required to consider... View Article
Investigative Report Reveals Chicago Public School Employees Sexually Groomed and Sexually Assaulted Students and Failed to Properly Report Sexual Contact with Students
The Chicago Public Schools Office of the Inspector General conducted an investigation of Chicago’s Publics Schools, revealing hundreds of teachers and school officials sexually groomed and assaulted students. The investigation also found numerous incidents of teachers and school officials engaging in policy violations over the last four years by not... View Article
Justin Grosz interviewed by Sun-Sentinel for series on human trafficking issues in Florida
The Sun-Sentinel newspaper is publishing a four-part series that investigates the serious issue of sex trafficking at Florida hotels. Justin Grosz, co-founder of the Justice for Kids Division, has filed lawsuits against hotels where underage girls are suspected of having been trafficked for sex, and shares his insights in part... View Article
Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, over 2,700 Children Came into the Custody of Illinois’ Already Struggling Child Welfare System
A year and a half into the Covid-19 Pandemic, the existing problems with Illinois’ child welfare system have worsened. In April 2020, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received only 47% of the calls it did in April 2019. This drop in calls was largely attributed to... View Article
Florida DCF confirmed flaws with the handling of child abuse complaints concerning foster parents following USA Today story
Several tragic cases of Justice for Kids Partner Stacie Schmerling were recently featured in USA Today concerning the failures of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to investigate and respond to credible complaints against foster care providers to ensure children are safe. Complaints to Florida’s abuse hotline about caregivers... View Article
Florida Law Enforcement Acts Swiftly to Apprehend a Therapist for Sexually Abusing a Child
Sixty-year-old Robert Batie worked as a Psychotherapist at a counseling center located in Flagler County, Florida. During his time there, Batie used his position as a trusted counselor to engage in several unlawful acts of sexual abuse, including sexual molestation of a minor. Fortunately, the courageous victim reported the incident... View Article
WESH 2: Foster dad accused of abusing 4 children ordered back to jail
As reported by WESH 2 news in Orlando, a foster father accused of raping and molesting a young girl in his care is now facing additional charges involving a second young victim. Read the full story here. Related Keywords: Orlando child abuse Central Florida foster child abuse
Inspiring Story Told by Former Foster Care Child Who Was Abused and Neglected
Kenisha E. Anthony has become an agent for change within the foster care system. She began her journey as a “ward of the state” when she was only four (4) years old. Her parents struggled with drug addiction and Kenisha was taken from them. She would then be placed in... View Article
Father Christopher Ciomek of St. Peter Damian Parish in Bartlett, Illinois, has been removed from the ministry as a result of allegations of child sex abuse
He is accused of abusing a minor approximately 30 years ago, during his years as a seminarian. The pastor has previously served at St. Monica Parish in Chicago, St. Theresa Parish in Palatine, the faculty of the Mundelein Seminary, and was an Associate Dean of Formation and Director of Chicago... View Article