Thousands of foster children, former foster children, developmentally disabled and medically fragile children are part of the Florida child care system. If you’re currently or formerly a child in – or an advocate for or parent of a child in the foster care system – the Justice for Kids blog... View Article
Results & verdicts
more results & verdictsBlog
DCFS licensed a three-time convicted felon as a foster parent and subsequently placed a 16-year-old sex trafficking victim into his care. DCFS placed the girl with the 24-year-old pimp, Erick Johnson, just months after he was released from federal prison after a 24-month sentence on a firearms charge. Before that,... View Article
Despite three decades of litigation by the American Civil Liberties Union, broken promises, court orders, news reports, and letters from informed officials, DCFS continually lacks placements for children in its care, forcing some foster children to be wrongfully incarcerated. The recent lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals placed in DCFS... View Article
Judge Patrick Murphey took a hardline approach to DCFS’ inability to create or find proper placements for youth in foster care by issuing countless orders throughout 2022 that held Director Marc Smith in contempt of court. The basis for the twelfth contempt of court order involved a 15-year-old girl who... View Article
Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization that has been the voice of at–risk children and youth in Florida, will recognize truly remarkable child advocates and former foster youth at FCF’s 21st annual Broward County Advocates for Children Awards, held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 7.... View Article
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
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
Public Act 102-926 provides intervention services for abused and neglected children in the Child Welfare System. Early exposure to trauma, abuse and neglect can damage a developing brain and lead to developmental disabilities. Historically, families involved in Illinois’ Child Welfare System struggled to navigate and attain necessary resources. The new... View Article
A school bus carrying 23 students from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in Chicago was struck by a tractor trailer, resulting in injuries to 16 children. Police in Warsaw, Indiana were warned that a truck was swerving and excessively speeding on a highway. The truck then ran a red light, striking... View Article
Chicago, IL foster care child abuse law firms have been following the devasting news about the death of two-year-old Hunter Drew. After the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took protective custody from Hunter’s mom, he was placed with his aunt and uncle. Despite several improvements to his health... View Article
A Holly Hill man accused of repeatedly abusing at least four foster children will remain in jail without bond, a judge ruled on Monday. Lawrence Henry Williams, 50, was arrested last week on one count of sexual battery and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation. According to the... View Article