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
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
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
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... 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