Justice for Kids®

Jacksonville

10245 Centurion Parkway N, Suite 100 Jacksonville, FL 32256 Phone: 844-4KIDLAW (4543529); 754-888-KIDS (5437)

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

– Albert Einstein

Some of the most horrific child abuse cases in Florida have occurred in the Northeast Florida area in and around Jacksonville. In 2003, Latiana Hamilton was drowned in a bathtub, and her brother was horribly abused.

Justice for Kids attorneys have also filed a number of wrongful adoption claims because of misrepresentations made to adoptive parents concerning prior behavioral and even sexual histories of adopted children, causing families to struggle with children who were sexually and physically aggressive toward other children in the home.

There have also been cases where child welfare agencies failed to obtain critical mental health services and appropriate placements for children in their care and custody.

To their credit, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission works with privatized child welfare agencies, monitors their progress and outcomes, and provides additional services to improve the lives of children and families in Northeast Florida.

Cases

Lawsuit for Wrongful Death and Survival Claims

Lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Florida against lead community-based agency, subcontracted case management agency, and case manager for wrongful death and survival claims under state law and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for failing to prevent the rapid mental-health deterioration of a foster child, resulting in her death by suicide after she ran away from the agency’s office while unsupervised despite a known history of running away and suicide attempts. Resolved for undisclosed amounts.

Adoptive Parents Settle Wrongful Adoption Lawsuit

Adoptive parents of two Jacksonville-area children filed suit in Duval County, FL against child welfare agencies for negligence and wrongful adoption after agencies failed to disclose severe abuse histories. The children suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and were later diagnosed with significant behavioral and mental health disorders. The case resolved for undisclosed amounts placed into special needs trusts.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Foster Child Who Died While on Runaway

Lawsuit filed in the Middle District of Florida on behalf of the estate of a seventeen-year-old foster child alleging civil rights violations after agencies allowed her mental health to deteriorate and encouraged her to run away. The case resolved for an undisclosed amount. Smith v. Beasley, 775 F. Supp. 2d 1344 (M.D. Fla. 2011).

Civil Rights Case Establishing Foster Children’s Right to Protection

In 2003, one-year-old Latiana Hamilton was drowned in a bathtub, and her brother was severely abused. Justice for Kids attorney Howard Talenfeld filed civil rights complaints that helped establish the constitutional right of foster children not to be sexually victimized. Substantial recoveries were obtained. Ray v. Foltz, 370 F.3rd 1079 (11th Cir. 2004).

Federal Precedent Protecting Children from Sexual Victimization

Justice for Kids served as lead counsel in A.L. v. Foltz, 551 F.3rd 1227 (11th Cir. 2008), establishing the federal right of children not to be sexually victimized. The case resolved for $1.725 million.

$14.26 Million Settlement Against Florida Department of Children & Families

Civil rights complaint filed on behalf of 19 children against DCF employees responsible for adoption and abuse investigations. Despite prior verified abuse reports, children were subjected to severe punishments and beatings. The State of Florida settled all claims for $14.26 million.

Failure to Protect Child from Sexual Abuse in Group Home

Lawsuit filed in Orange County, FL on behalf of a former foster child against a therapeutic group home for failure to protect a 13-year-old from multiple incidents of child-on-child sexual abuse by a known sexual predator. Resolved for an undisclosed amount.

Title IX Settlement for College Hazing and Sexual Assault

Justice for Kids represented a female college student sexually assaulted and bullied by student-athletes at a Northeast Florida college. After asserting Title IX claims, the case settled for an undisclosed amount and allowed the student to restore her education and transfer schools.