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
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
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
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
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
Five men have been accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child and four of them are free to continue abusing children after continuous systematic delinquencies failed to hold the men accountable for their crimes. Although the government institutions responsible for protecting the little girl were well aware of the frequent... View Article
Amidst one of the worst shootings in FBI history, which left two agents dead and three injured, reveals an overwhelming influx of internet child sexual abuse cases. Broward Sheriff’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, reports initiation of over 200 cases and 40 arrests for offenses related to child... View Article
A Pasco County man could face life in prison after being indicted on federal human trafficking charges. A recent DOJ release reveals the 49-year-old man recruited people, including children, to engage in prostitution through misrepresentation and violent tactics such as sexual assault and physical violence. Prosecutors allege the man trafficked... View Article
After years of protestation by families, children, and advocacy groups that sexual abuse is rampant in state foster homes, DCF secretary Chad Poppell recognizes DCF’s failure in stopping children placed in state-licensed foster care from being sexually abused. The Miami Herald recently disclosed that during this past year, ninety-two children... View Article
A recent series of articles in USA Today again indicted Florida’s failing privatized child protection system, including an interview with Florida child advocate Stacie Schmerling on a horrific case of child sexual abuse in Ocala. Since the release of the articles, Florida lawmakers and child welfare leaders have debated the... View Article