By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The state’s child-welfare chief said the recent death of a 4-year-old Palatka boy, allegedly strangled by an older child in his home, points to…
Tag: Department of Children and Families
Lawmakers eye major changes in mental health services
By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA As Florida lawmakers study the impact of mental illness on the state’s troubled criminal-justice and child-protection systems, the House and Senate are proposing major…
Judge Goodman tackles truancy
NorthEscambia.com reports that Circuit Judge Ross Goodman has written the Escambia County School Board a letter declaring that the district has a truancy crisis. Judge Goodman is proposing the district implement a…
Markes has child custody hearing today
Erin Markes has a child dependency hearing in Milton today. In March, she was jailed for felony child neglect after investigators were called to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where Jaden (age…
Radio: DCF safety net
On April 9, I interviewed Janice Thomas, Circuit Administrator for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) about the safety net for single mothers like Erin Markes. The conversation moved quickly into…