Florida DCF Investigating Death of Infant Taken From Family

Another infant has died while under the watch of the Florida Department of Children and Families and one of its privately contracted providers, spurring child advocacy attorneys and lawyers who fight for at-risk children or those suffering abuse or harm to closely follow this case.

Miracle Collins, only 7 months old, was taken from her mother in February after reports of domestic violence, according to news reports on a Tampa Police Department report. Eckerd Kids, a contractor to the Florida DCF, placed the child with a family friend. The child was sleeping on the couch, and later was found unresponsive.

A DCF critical incident team is investigating the death.

Though a common practice, placing children with non-relatives is not without its issues and benefits, noted Robin Rosenberg, deputy director of Florida’s Children First, a statewide advocacy organization focused on children’s rights.

“It can be a wonderful thing or it can have bad results if they’re not adequately supported to take care of the child,” Rosenberg told TampaBay.com. “Sometimes it imposes on really well-intended people but doesn’t give them adequate support.”