Florida Agency Says Nearly 1,000 Foster Children Missing
June 4, 2002
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is facing more questions and criticism this week after its announcement that the agency could not account for nearly 1,000 children in its system. In the wake of the now well-known case of Rilya Wilson, the 5-year-old foster child who was missing for over a year before department officials became aware she was gone, Florida Governor Jeb Bush ordered the DCF last month to interview all 46,403 children under the department's jurisdiction.
Four hundred children were found to have run away and over 100 others were listed as absconded (taken by a relative or non-custodial parent). The remaining children were classified as "out of state" but not under the supervision of caseworkers. The DCF had previously told the Department of Law Enforcement that only 155 children were missing through May 2002.
Florida's child welfare agency recently settled a lawsuit filed by six foster children who were physically and sexually abused by their adoptive parents, who had a history of child abuse.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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