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Here are examples of the abuse or neglect that children and their parents often face when dealing with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Some of the stories have been published in the news media; some have not. Our purpose in presenting these accounts is to encourage others to come forward. At the end of the day, the only way change can be made is if enough people demand it. Your stories can make that happen. Read these accounts. If you wish to document your own experience, click J4K Incident Report Form. For more on complaint processes available to you, click here. You can also post your incident on the Justice4Kids.org blog, Juvenile Justice Florida Style!.
The story of Justin Caldwell For information on Omar Paisley click here.
04/28/04 Former counselor arrested in abuse case Police found that the child had been the subject of a take-down on March 6, 2003, because she would not stop talking after lights-out. Collins and another staffer, Betherea Stokes, then took the girl to a timeout room, which was out of range of the facility's 72 surveillance cameras. Collins and Stokes then began a "beat out" in which they punched the girl in the arms, legs and torso, arrest reports state. The girl told police that a "beat out" was a rite of passage for those who are about to be released from the facility. A doctor's report later showed the girl suffered deep tissue bruising. Click here for complete article.
04/23/04 Pines juvenile center accused of denying dental care to aching
17-year-old ...youth contracted a foot fungus from fecal matter on the floor of a shower stall at South Pines. . . .all restrooms were found to be in need of cleaning, as foul odors were apparent. The program has been providing Pop-Tarts to subsidize the small portions of food 04/14/04
Clean it up 04/11/04
Young offenders at risk March 2004 Pinellas County School failed to report sexual abuse! Sexual abuse of a child against another child is alleged to have occurred at Westgate Elementary School. The school is mandated to follow the law (Florida Statute 39.201) when there is suspicion of child abuse. Following the law includes reporting the allegation to the Abuse Hotline 1-800-96-ABUSE. For more information, contact: Pinellas County School Board 727-586-1818 or Matt Sullivan at 727-343-8231 The Pinellas County School Board attorney gave a statement at the March 9, 2004 School Board meeting relative to this incident. The next Pinellas County School Board meeting is scheduled for: April 13, 2004 - 10 am
April 6, 2003 Tampa Tribune examines Baker Act... Statewide, a Tampa Tribune investigation has found, there were 16,000 cases last year of children being taken to crisis centers under the Baker Act. Often they are kept for days, put on prescription psychiatric drugs and then released with only a recommendation they seek outpatient care. To read the 4-part article, click here.
March 18, 2003 Youth abuse
investigation leads to 2 arrests... August 14, 2002 This place is out of control... ...said a report about the Sago Palm Academy, the 350-bed juvenile offender facility in western Palm Beach County. This St. Petersburg Times Editorial published August 14, 2000 may be relevant today. Click here to read the the editorial. Then, ask yourself if you, or someone you know, has a child in these conditions today. If so, click here to send me an e-mail or call me, Cathy Corry, at 727.799.9762. Click "Mother's effort to help her son prompts arrest" and "Boy put in state care after mom is arrested" We, as parents, seek help for our children. We are too often turned away; then we are accused and threatened in a manner that does not help anyone. Where is the village? Where is the community effort to help those who seek help? - Cathy Corry |
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