05
February
FLORIDA MUST DO BETTER AT STOPPING SEXUAL ABUSE IN FOSTER CARE, TOP OFFICIAL SAYS
January 12, 2021
Kirby Wilson
Miami Herald
During the most recent fiscal year, 92 children alleged that they were sexually abused by foster parents. Just six of those allegations were verified by the state.
Zero children under the age of 5 had their complaints substantiated.
Those numbers aren’t good enough, said Chad Poppell, secretary of Florida’s Department of Children and Families. On Tuesday, he announced a new initiative aimed at helping officials detect sexual abuse reported by Florida’s most at-risk children: After an abuse allegation against a state-licensed caregiver is investigated, an oversight team will