Days after stepping down, councilman admits guilt
By JONATHAN DIENST and MICHAEL CLANCY
Updated 12:02 PM EDT, Thu, Jul 16, 2009
Councilman Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to fraud this morning in federal court, admitting to lining his pockets with $100,000 in taxpayer funds over a six-year period.
Earlier this week, Martinez became the first casualty of the City Council slush fund shenanigans, resigning from office in a tersely worded letter.
“Dear Speaker Quinn,” Mr. Martinez’s letter began, addressing City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, according to The New York Times City Room blog. “Effective today, July 14, 2009 I am submitting my resignation to the New York City Council.”
Martinez, a Democrat and seven-year veteran of the council, will be sentenced in October. He is the first person charged in the wide-ranging probe by local and federal authorities into whether council members used member items to steer millions of dollars in taxpayer money to specious and closely-connected non-profit groups.
A non-profit run by Martinez's sister was raided in March by the Department of Investigation, the local agency charged with probing the Council's slush fund.
The group was given more than $1 million worth of taxpayer money since 2006, when Martinez's sister Maria joined its board, but the Council revoked its backing in April, the Daily News reported.
Councilman Martinez Pleads Guilty in $100K Fraud NBC New York
Refresh - Go to homepage
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Councilman Martinez Pleads Guilty in $100K Fraud
Days after stepping down, councilman admits guilt
By JONATHAN DIENST and MICHAEL CLANCY
Updated 12:02 PM EDT, Thu, Jul 16, 2009
Councilman Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to fraud this morning in federal court, admitting to lining his pockets with $100,000 in taxpayer funds over a six-year period.
Earlier this week, Martinez became the first casualty of the City Council slush fund shenanigans, resigning from office in a tersely worded letter.
“Dear Speaker Quinn,” Mr. Martinez’s letter began, addressing City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, according to The New York Times City Room blog. “Effective today, July 14, 2009 I am submitting my resignation to the New York City Council.”
Martinez, a Democrat and seven-year veteran of the council, will be sentenced in October. He is the first person charged in the wide-ranging probe by local and federal authorities into whether council members used member items to steer millions of dollars in taxpayer money to specious and closely-connected non-profit groups.
A non-profit run by Martinez's sister was raided in March by the Department of Investigation, the local agency charged with probing the Council's slush fund.
The group was given more than $1 million worth of taxpayer money since 2006, when Martinez's sister Maria joined its board, but the Council revoked its backing in April, the Daily News reported.
Councilman Martinez Pleads Guilty in $100K Fraud NBC New York
By JONATHAN DIENST and MICHAEL CLANCY
Updated 12:02 PM EDT, Thu, Jul 16, 2009
Councilman Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to fraud this morning in federal court, admitting to lining his pockets with $100,000 in taxpayer funds over a six-year period.
Earlier this week, Martinez became the first casualty of the City Council slush fund shenanigans, resigning from office in a tersely worded letter.
“Dear Speaker Quinn,” Mr. Martinez’s letter began, addressing City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, according to The New York Times City Room blog. “Effective today, July 14, 2009 I am submitting my resignation to the New York City Council.”
Martinez, a Democrat and seven-year veteran of the council, will be sentenced in October. He is the first person charged in the wide-ranging probe by local and federal authorities into whether council members used member items to steer millions of dollars in taxpayer money to specious and closely-connected non-profit groups.
A non-profit run by Martinez's sister was raided in March by the Department of Investigation, the local agency charged with probing the Council's slush fund.
The group was given more than $1 million worth of taxpayer money since 2006, when Martinez's sister Maria joined its board, but the Council revoked its backing in April, the Daily News reported.
Councilman Martinez Pleads Guilty in $100K Fraud NBC New York
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Divorce and false allegations of child abuse - the story of Dr. David Menchell
Dr. David Menchell never dreamed when he reported bruises on his older son's body that it would lead to Child Protective Services investigating him. He first noticed the bruises when he took his children to the Poconos for a vacation. While at a water park, he asked his son where they came from. His son has emotional issues, so it was difficult to find out from him how he had gotten bruised.
Later that weekend, Dr. Menchell's mother talked to her grandson. She then told Dr. Menchell the child had implied that an older child at school had been fighting with him and had bruised him.
The next day, Dr. Menchell phoned the school and talked to the psychologist who works with his son. She assured him that the students were usually supervised, and it would be unlikely for his son to be in a fight without someone knowing about it. She said, however, that she would follow up with his teachers and also call Dr. Menchell's ex-wife to discuss the situation.
The next day Dr. Menchell's ex-wife took the boy to the pediatrician, and he documented the same bruises. The day after that, Dr. Menchell received a call from Child Protective Services stating that they were investigating the boy's bruises. Dr. Menchell responded that he had expected that they would do that. It was then that Child Protective Services informed Dr. Menchell that he was the subject of the investigation.
Dr. Menchell's rights to visit his children were immediately suspended, and he has not seen his children for three months. Child Protective Services indicated the report, meaning that the investigator claims to have found some credible evidence that he committed the abuse. Some credible evidence is an extremely low standard of proof. It is not unusual for an investigator to indicate a report when there is little or even no evidence.
When Dr. Menchell goes before an administrative law judge to get the indicated report amended to unfounded, Child Protective Services will have to meet a higher standard of proof--a fair preponderance of evidence. Doctor Menchell understands this because he was put through the same ringer on another occasion.
Following the first investigation, Dr. Menchell was not allowed to see his children for two months. After Dr. Menchell was interrogated by a court appointed psychologist, he was allowed visits with his children but only if they were supervised.
While he was finally exonerated of any wrong doing following a fair hearing, the doctor had this to say.
"...it was an easy matter to disprove the inept findings of the report and reverse the decision of CPS, but it took two years, stuck me with a label of child abuser, cost a fortune in psychologist's and attorney's fees, and disrupted the normal parenting time I might have had with my children."
Dr. Menchell is confident that the results of the second investigation will be overturned as well. He says, "I don't doubt that I will overturn this additional finding from CPS. The very fact that I have had to endure this insult twice is an indictment of the system. The principles that apply in other venues, like criminal court, should extend to CPS and Family Court: the right to a fair trial or hearing, the assumption of innocence, the right to address your accusers. Until these issues are addressed and CPS is held accountable, there will be continued abuse and injustice perpetrated by CPS and the courts. And our children and their parents are both the victims."
While Child Protective Services does not divulge the names of people making calls to the child abuse hotline, Doctor Menchell attributes his problems with Child Protective Services to a marriage gone sour.
Many estranged or divorced spouses have testified to similar problems.
Ledger.com reported yesterday that a Lakeland, Florida father, William Dunn, is suing the Florida Department of Children and Families for not allowing him to see his daughter for eleven months after he was falsely accused of sexually abusing her. The judge who ruled that Dunn did not abuse his daughter and returned her to his care expressed concern that the girl's mother coached her to say that she had been abused, although the mother denies it. Both the father and daughter have suffered physical and emotional problems due to the false allegations.
Earlier this week, the grown children of Clyde Raye Spencer testified at a hearing that their father never abused them. Spencer has served 19 years in prison for child abuse. Both of Spencer's children say that their mother told them they were just blocking out the memory of the abuse when they told her they had not been abused.
Dean Tong, who is an expert on false allegations of abuse, spent $150,000 and ten years to clear his name after his estranged wife accused him of sexually abusing his daughter. He has since become an author and a leading expert witness on parent alienation syndrome, and false allegations of sexual and other forms of abuse during or after a divorce,
Tong has this to say about divorce and false allegations of abuse.
"Even in so called "no-fault" divorce states, parents and relatives of divorcing parties seeking to gain an upper hand in custody and financial arrangements file false or unfounded allegations of domestic violence or child abuse. Once falsely accused, an innocent party oftentimes must spend tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars defending their good name while finding it nearly impossible to remove the stain of abuse allegations. Such allegations also damage the children involved by forcing them to participate unnecessarily in intrusive psychological examinations and courtroom proceedings."
Divorce and false allegations of child abuse - the story of Dr. David Menchell
If you liked this article, you might enjoy these:
How to file an appeal if your indicated CPS report is upheld at a fair hearing
New York State's Office of Children & Family Services' fair hearings violate due process
New York State's Central Register on Child Abuse seriously flawed
What should you do if Child Protective Services knocks on your door?
Refresh - Go to homepage
Later that weekend, Dr. Menchell's mother talked to her grandson. She then told Dr. Menchell the child had implied that an older child at school had been fighting with him and had bruised him.
The next day, Dr. Menchell phoned the school and talked to the psychologist who works with his son. She assured him that the students were usually supervised, and it would be unlikely for his son to be in a fight without someone knowing about it. She said, however, that she would follow up with his teachers and also call Dr. Menchell's ex-wife to discuss the situation.
The next day Dr. Menchell's ex-wife took the boy to the pediatrician, and he documented the same bruises. The day after that, Dr. Menchell received a call from Child Protective Services stating that they were investigating the boy's bruises. Dr. Menchell responded that he had expected that they would do that. It was then that Child Protective Services informed Dr. Menchell that he was the subject of the investigation.
Dr. Menchell's rights to visit his children were immediately suspended, and he has not seen his children for three months. Child Protective Services indicated the report, meaning that the investigator claims to have found some credible evidence that he committed the abuse. Some credible evidence is an extremely low standard of proof. It is not unusual for an investigator to indicate a report when there is little or even no evidence.
When Dr. Menchell goes before an administrative law judge to get the indicated report amended to unfounded, Child Protective Services will have to meet a higher standard of proof--a fair preponderance of evidence. Doctor Menchell understands this because he was put through the same ringer on another occasion.
Following the first investigation, Dr. Menchell was not allowed to see his children for two months. After Dr. Menchell was interrogated by a court appointed psychologist, he was allowed visits with his children but only if they were supervised.
While he was finally exonerated of any wrong doing following a fair hearing, the doctor had this to say.
"...it was an easy matter to disprove the inept findings of the report and reverse the decision of CPS, but it took two years, stuck me with a label of child abuser, cost a fortune in psychologist's and attorney's fees, and disrupted the normal parenting time I might have had with my children."
Dr. Menchell is confident that the results of the second investigation will be overturned as well. He says, "I don't doubt that I will overturn this additional finding from CPS. The very fact that I have had to endure this insult twice is an indictment of the system. The principles that apply in other venues, like criminal court, should extend to CPS and Family Court: the right to a fair trial or hearing, the assumption of innocence, the right to address your accusers. Until these issues are addressed and CPS is held accountable, there will be continued abuse and injustice perpetrated by CPS and the courts. And our children and their parents are both the victims."
While Child Protective Services does not divulge the names of people making calls to the child abuse hotline, Doctor Menchell attributes his problems with Child Protective Services to a marriage gone sour.
Many estranged or divorced spouses have testified to similar problems.
Ledger.com reported yesterday that a Lakeland, Florida father, William Dunn, is suing the Florida Department of Children and Families for not allowing him to see his daughter for eleven months after he was falsely accused of sexually abusing her. The judge who ruled that Dunn did not abuse his daughter and returned her to his care expressed concern that the girl's mother coached her to say that she had been abused, although the mother denies it. Both the father and daughter have suffered physical and emotional problems due to the false allegations.
Earlier this week, the grown children of Clyde Raye Spencer testified at a hearing that their father never abused them. Spencer has served 19 years in prison for child abuse. Both of Spencer's children say that their mother told them they were just blocking out the memory of the abuse when they told her they had not been abused.
Dean Tong, who is an expert on false allegations of abuse, spent $150,000 and ten years to clear his name after his estranged wife accused him of sexually abusing his daughter. He has since become an author and a leading expert witness on parent alienation syndrome, and false allegations of sexual and other forms of abuse during or after a divorce,
Tong has this to say about divorce and false allegations of abuse.
"Even in so called "no-fault" divorce states, parents and relatives of divorcing parties seeking to gain an upper hand in custody and financial arrangements file false or unfounded allegations of domestic violence or child abuse. Once falsely accused, an innocent party oftentimes must spend tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars defending their good name while finding it nearly impossible to remove the stain of abuse allegations. Such allegations also damage the children involved by forcing them to participate unnecessarily in intrusive psychological examinations and courtroom proceedings."
Divorce and false allegations of child abuse - the story of Dr. David Menchell
If you liked this article, you might enjoy these:
How to file an appeal if your indicated CPS report is upheld at a fair hearing
New York State's Office of Children & Family Services' fair hearings violate due process
New York State's Central Register on Child Abuse seriously flawed
What should you do if Child Protective Services knocks on your door?
Refresh - Go to homepage
Friday, July 10, 2009
After Espada Flips Again, Senate Actually Does Work
The Senate stalemate ended Thursday as it started 31 days ago, with a freshman Democrat convulsing the 62-seat house by switching sides and getting a powerful leadership post in the majority.
But it took less than 30 minutes on the Senate floor for partisan fights to emerge, with Republicans initially threatening two-hour debates on each of more than 100 noncontroversial bills.
Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada's return to the Democratic conference gives Democrats a 32-30 majority for the first time since the June 8 coup. As part of the deal, Espada took the title of Senate majority leader.
Espada's move came after Democratic Gov. David Paterson's decision to appoint a lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate, giving his party the upper hand in a chamber that's been divided 31-31.
"It was never about power, but about empowerment," Espada said at a news conference.
While the stalemate was over, at first the standstill wasn't. Republicans decided to slow the voting process because they were furious Democrats didn't include Senate rules reforms on the agenda. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, of Long Island, said the GOP objected to the Democrats' plan to pass pork barrel spending — also known as member items, money that lawmakers can take back to their districts for pet projects.
After an hour of closed-door discussion, member items were removed from the agenda and both sides developed the framework for a rules reform agreement. Both will likely be taken up next week. Both sides said the rules changes will give individual senators more power to move bills out of committees and to the floor for a vote, among other reforms.
Most of the bills passed late Thursday and early Friday were for local taxes that would keep local governments funded and running.
For more than a month, the Senate's paralysis stalled action on mayoral control of New York City's schools, taxing authority in some municipalities and economic development programs.
Paterson estimated that the state's municipalities lost as much as $150 million during the conflict — most of it missed sales tax revenue — including $60 million in New York City.
"Today really is 31 days of chaos ending," said Hiram Monserrate, a one-time dissident whose pending felony assault charge divided Republicans and Democrats early in the session. "Judge us not on what has occurred over the last 31 days ... but judge us on what we do with this extraordinary opportunity."
Republicans accepted their return to the minority, where they were for the past six months for the first time since 1965, but still tried to claim some victory. They say the reforms will serve them well and increase the power of individual Senators.
"Upstate is going to be a player," said Republican Sen. George Maziarz of Niagara County. "We have a conference of 30 strong and with these reforms. ... We won't be rolled over."
"We are definitely going to reform the state Senate like it's never been reformed before," said Democratic Conference Leader Sen. John Sampson, of Brooklyn.
Rank-and-file Democrats welcomed Espada back. That was a contrast to the name-calling of the past five weeks, when many Democrats said they would never serve under Espada in a leadership position. Others called him a thug and turncoat.
"I don't think any of us have to accept everybody with open arms," said Sen. Neil Breslin, an Albany Democrat. "He has a right to be in the Democratic conference as an elected Democrat."
When asked if it was hypocritical for Democrats to accept Espada as one of their own after calling him a criminal, Breslin said, "There is a level of that."
The self-described three amigos — Sens. Espada, Ruben Diaz and Hiram Monserrate — said the end of the standoff is a victory for Latinos, providing them a greater voice.
"This is a great achievement for our community. The greatest achievement our community has ever gotten," said Diaz, a Bronx Democrat and leader in the Latino community.
The regular session ended June 22.
Despite landing back in the minority, Republicans argue they've helped their constituents by insisting on reforms to give every New Yorker a voice in the chamber. They said any change couldn't have happened without their actions.
"I'm very disappointed, but in my mind this was never about a power grab, but about reform," said Republican Sen. Thomas Libous of Broome County.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
After Espada Flips Again, Senate Actually Does Work NBC New York
Copyright Notice: According to US Copyright law, copyright vests initially in the author(s) of the work. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: Title 17, Sec.107. If you are the copyright holder and choose to have your work removed from this website, email HaveUmistakenMe@aol.com and it will be done. However, we hope you prefer that our researchers continue to benefit from access to your work.
Refresh - Go to homepage
But it took less than 30 minutes on the Senate floor for partisan fights to emerge, with Republicans initially threatening two-hour debates on each of more than 100 noncontroversial bills.
Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada's return to the Democratic conference gives Democrats a 32-30 majority for the first time since the June 8 coup. As part of the deal, Espada took the title of Senate majority leader.
Espada's move came after Democratic Gov. David Paterson's decision to appoint a lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate, giving his party the upper hand in a chamber that's been divided 31-31.
"It was never about power, but about empowerment," Espada said at a news conference.
While the stalemate was over, at first the standstill wasn't. Republicans decided to slow the voting process because they were furious Democrats didn't include Senate rules reforms on the agenda. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, of Long Island, said the GOP objected to the Democrats' plan to pass pork barrel spending — also known as member items, money that lawmakers can take back to their districts for pet projects.
After an hour of closed-door discussion, member items were removed from the agenda and both sides developed the framework for a rules reform agreement. Both will likely be taken up next week. Both sides said the rules changes will give individual senators more power to move bills out of committees and to the floor for a vote, among other reforms.
Most of the bills passed late Thursday and early Friday were for local taxes that would keep local governments funded and running.
For more than a month, the Senate's paralysis stalled action on mayoral control of New York City's schools, taxing authority in some municipalities and economic development programs.
Paterson estimated that the state's municipalities lost as much as $150 million during the conflict — most of it missed sales tax revenue — including $60 million in New York City.
"Today really is 31 days of chaos ending," said Hiram Monserrate, a one-time dissident whose pending felony assault charge divided Republicans and Democrats early in the session. "Judge us not on what has occurred over the last 31 days ... but judge us on what we do with this extraordinary opportunity."
Republicans accepted their return to the minority, where they were for the past six months for the first time since 1965, but still tried to claim some victory. They say the reforms will serve them well and increase the power of individual Senators.
"Upstate is going to be a player," said Republican Sen. George Maziarz of Niagara County. "We have a conference of 30 strong and with these reforms. ... We won't be rolled over."
"We are definitely going to reform the state Senate like it's never been reformed before," said Democratic Conference Leader Sen. John Sampson, of Brooklyn.
Rank-and-file Democrats welcomed Espada back. That was a contrast to the name-calling of the past five weeks, when many Democrats said they would never serve under Espada in a leadership position. Others called him a thug and turncoat.
"I don't think any of us have to accept everybody with open arms," said Sen. Neil Breslin, an Albany Democrat. "He has a right to be in the Democratic conference as an elected Democrat."
When asked if it was hypocritical for Democrats to accept Espada as one of their own after calling him a criminal, Breslin said, "There is a level of that."
The self-described three amigos — Sens. Espada, Ruben Diaz and Hiram Monserrate — said the end of the standoff is a victory for Latinos, providing them a greater voice.
"This is a great achievement for our community. The greatest achievement our community has ever gotten," said Diaz, a Bronx Democrat and leader in the Latino community.
The regular session ended June 22.
Despite landing back in the minority, Republicans argue they've helped their constituents by insisting on reforms to give every New Yorker a voice in the chamber. They said any change couldn't have happened without their actions.
"I'm very disappointed, but in my mind this was never about a power grab, but about reform," said Republican Sen. Thomas Libous of Broome County.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
After Espada Flips Again, Senate Actually Does Work NBC New York
Copyright Notice: According to US Copyright law, copyright vests initially in the author(s) of the work. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: Title 17, Sec.107. If you are the copyright holder and choose to have your work removed from this website, email HaveUmistakenMe@aol.com and it will be done. However, we hope you prefer that our researchers continue to benefit from access to your work.
Refresh - Go to homepage
Friday, July 3, 2009
Florida Mother Suing Sherriff, Family Servies Over Baby's Death
Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 @09:29am CST
(Tampa, FL) -- A young Florida mother reportedly plans to sue local law enforcement and the state's child welfare agency over the gruesome death of her three-month-old son.
An attorney for 17-year-old Jasmine Bedwell claims the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families were negligent in protecting Bedwell and her baby from the teen mother's violent ex-boyfriend.
Bedwell was living on her own under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families when she was allegedly attacked by 21-year-old Richard McTear back in May.
During the attack, McTear allegedly threw Bedwell's baby from a moving car onto a Tampa highway, killing the infant.
Attorney W. Thomas Wadley says child services officials and the sheriff's department both knew McTear was abusive long before the fatal attack.
He claims the baby's death could have been prevented if the agencies had made the effort to protect the young mother.
Richard McTear is currently in jail awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges.
He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Florida Mother Suing Sheriff, Family Services Over Baby's Death
Copyright Notice: According to US Copyright law, copyright vests initially in the author(s) of the work. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: Title 17, Sec.107. If you are the copyright holder and choose to have your work removed from this website, email HaveUmistakenMe@aol.com and it will be done. However, we hope you prefer that our researchers continue to benefit from access to your work.
Refresh - Go to homepage
(Tampa, FL) -- A young Florida mother reportedly plans to sue local law enforcement and the state's child welfare agency over the gruesome death of her three-month-old son.
An attorney for 17-year-old Jasmine Bedwell claims the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families were negligent in protecting Bedwell and her baby from the teen mother's violent ex-boyfriend.
Bedwell was living on her own under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families when she was allegedly attacked by 21-year-old Richard McTear back in May.
During the attack, McTear allegedly threw Bedwell's baby from a moving car onto a Tampa highway, killing the infant.
Attorney W. Thomas Wadley says child services officials and the sheriff's department both knew McTear was abusive long before the fatal attack.
He claims the baby's death could have been prevented if the agencies had made the effort to protect the young mother.
Richard McTear is currently in jail awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges.
He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Florida Mother Suing Sheriff, Family Services Over Baby's Death
Copyright Notice: According to US Copyright law, copyright vests initially in the author(s) of the work. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: Title 17, Sec.107. If you are the copyright holder and choose to have your work removed from this website, email HaveUmistakenMe@aol.com and it will be done. However, we hope you prefer that our researchers continue to benefit from access to your work.
Refresh - Go to homepage
Aged-out foster child faces possible homelessness
For Selim Isimer’s next birthday, his parent — the state of Florida — plans to kick him out of the house.
Being shown the door on your 18th birthday would prove daunting for any foster kid. Twenty percent end up homeless without public assistance.
For Selim, it would be disastrous: He has autism and mental retardation.
He can’t read or write, and speaks like a preschooler.
For about a year, Selim has been raised by the Department of Children & Families, which has spent $6,000 each month for his care at a North Miami group home for disabled children.
Child welfare administrators were hoping another state department, the Agency for Persons With Disabilities, would pay Selim’s bills when he ”aged out” of foster care.
But disability administrators say their hands are tied: Selim is in the United States illegally. And they cannot spend taxpayer dollars to pay for his care.
Time runs out for Selim on July 11, his 18th birthday.
"He could get picked up by immigration at any moment,” said Michelle Abarca, one of his attorneys at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.
In a March report, the advocacy group called healthcare at immigration lockups “poor and sometimes appalling.”
"Imagine explaining that to a child like him,” Abarca added.
“It’s very disturbing.”
Though the details of Selim’s case may be unusual, his plight is not.
JUVENILE COURTS
Undocumented children — and the parents who bring them here — have become a common demographic in South Florida’s juvenile courts. So common, in fact, that child welfare administrators have contracted with immigration attorneys to work full time at the Miami Children’s Courthouse.
Administrators at DCF and Our Kids, which provides foster care services for the state in Miami, declined to discuss Selim’s case, citing confidentiality. Our Kids has been overseeing the boy’s case, and is paying his attorneys to represent the teen before immigration authorities.
DCF Secretary George Sheldon told The Miami Herald Thursday he planned to speak with his counterpart at APD, Jim DeBeaugrine, to find an alternative to rendering the teen homeless.
"Let me go out on a limb and say that will not happen,” Sheldon said. “This kid will not be without services on July 11.”
John Newton, APD’s general counsel, also declined to discuss Selim’s case, citing the confidentiality of agency records.
In general, Newton said, ”the agency has no discretion” under state law to spend tax dollars on migrants without legal residency.
JAIL OR PRISON
In cases involving disabled people with challenging behaviors, Newton said, the likelihood is they will wind up in jail or prison — and, ultimately, right back on APD’s doorstep.
"This is a sad situation,” Newton said.
“This sounds like an individual who will end up in the system one way or another — probably after a lot of misery in the criminal justice system. It’s a shame that services can’t be delivered sooner.”
About 6-foot-2, with dark hair and olive skin, Selim can be warm and affectionate one moment — but then explode in a temper tantrum the next. He has rudimentary math skills and has trouble writing or spelling his name. A source who knows the boy said he is moderately mentally retarded, and suffers from a severe emotional disturbance.
Selim’s parents brought him to Miami in August 2001 from Turkey, and overstayed their tourist visa. His father abandoned the family two years later, his immigration attorneys say.
In the spring of 2008, Selim’s mother took him to Miami Children’s Hospital for care — and then essentially left him there, said Aidil Oscariz, one of his attorneys.
The mother, Oscariz said, was overwhelmed by Selim’s medical needs and difficult behaviors.
At the end of April 2008, Selim was declared a dependent of the state and placed in foster care with Our Kids, the private, not-for-profit agency that last month renewed its $95 million annual contract with DCF. He now lives in a group home where he receives round-the-clock care, medication and therapy.
Selim’s attorneys say he has flourished at the group home, and, recently, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge George Sarduy signed an order saying the child’s ”best interests” would be served by granting him legal residency.
LEGAL STATUS
Attorneys at the advocacy center are asking an immigration judge to grant the youth legal resident status, but unless the petition is granted, Selim could be detained by immigration authorities — a risk that petrifies his attorneys and caregivers. He also could end up homeless.
"It would destroy him,” said the source familiar with the boy’s case. “It would, literally, be like putting a 2-year-old child in the middle of an intersection. He has no idea how to fend for himself. Whatever progress he’s made would completely crumble.”
Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1125524.html
Please share this news with friends, family and also with your contact list on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
Aged-out foster child faces possible homelessness The Autism News
My Two Cents -
Are they fuckin kidding me?
This "special needs" child has been a sourse of income to the State of Florida via the Title IV Federal funding for how many years while they claim he's here illegally and now WHAT?
I guess Immigration doesn't get the same federal funding that child services gets!
What a disgrace!
Refresh - Go to homepage
Being shown the door on your 18th birthday would prove daunting for any foster kid. Twenty percent end up homeless without public assistance.
For Selim, it would be disastrous: He has autism and mental retardation.
He can’t read or write, and speaks like a preschooler.
For about a year, Selim has been raised by the Department of Children & Families, which has spent $6,000 each month for his care at a North Miami group home for disabled children.
Child welfare administrators were hoping another state department, the Agency for Persons With Disabilities, would pay Selim’s bills when he ”aged out” of foster care.
But disability administrators say their hands are tied: Selim is in the United States illegally. And they cannot spend taxpayer dollars to pay for his care.
Time runs out for Selim on July 11, his 18th birthday.
"He could get picked up by immigration at any moment,” said Michelle Abarca, one of his attorneys at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.
In a March report, the advocacy group called healthcare at immigration lockups “poor and sometimes appalling.”
"Imagine explaining that to a child like him,” Abarca added.
“It’s very disturbing.”
Though the details of Selim’s case may be unusual, his plight is not.
JUVENILE COURTS
Undocumented children — and the parents who bring them here — have become a common demographic in South Florida’s juvenile courts. So common, in fact, that child welfare administrators have contracted with immigration attorneys to work full time at the Miami Children’s Courthouse.
Administrators at DCF and Our Kids, which provides foster care services for the state in Miami, declined to discuss Selim’s case, citing confidentiality. Our Kids has been overseeing the boy’s case, and is paying his attorneys to represent the teen before immigration authorities.
DCF Secretary George Sheldon told The Miami Herald Thursday he planned to speak with his counterpart at APD, Jim DeBeaugrine, to find an alternative to rendering the teen homeless.
"Let me go out on a limb and say that will not happen,” Sheldon said. “This kid will not be without services on July 11.”
John Newton, APD’s general counsel, also declined to discuss Selim’s case, citing the confidentiality of agency records.
In general, Newton said, ”the agency has no discretion” under state law to spend tax dollars on migrants without legal residency.
JAIL OR PRISON
In cases involving disabled people with challenging behaviors, Newton said, the likelihood is they will wind up in jail or prison — and, ultimately, right back on APD’s doorstep.
"This is a sad situation,” Newton said.
“This sounds like an individual who will end up in the system one way or another — probably after a lot of misery in the criminal justice system. It’s a shame that services can’t be delivered sooner.”
About 6-foot-2, with dark hair and olive skin, Selim can be warm and affectionate one moment — but then explode in a temper tantrum the next. He has rudimentary math skills and has trouble writing or spelling his name. A source who knows the boy said he is moderately mentally retarded, and suffers from a severe emotional disturbance.
Selim’s parents brought him to Miami in August 2001 from Turkey, and overstayed their tourist visa. His father abandoned the family two years later, his immigration attorneys say.
In the spring of 2008, Selim’s mother took him to Miami Children’s Hospital for care — and then essentially left him there, said Aidil Oscariz, one of his attorneys.
The mother, Oscariz said, was overwhelmed by Selim’s medical needs and difficult behaviors.
At the end of April 2008, Selim was declared a dependent of the state and placed in foster care with Our Kids, the private, not-for-profit agency that last month renewed its $95 million annual contract with DCF. He now lives in a group home where he receives round-the-clock care, medication and therapy.
Selim’s attorneys say he has flourished at the group home, and, recently, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge George Sarduy signed an order saying the child’s ”best interests” would be served by granting him legal residency.
LEGAL STATUS
Attorneys at the advocacy center are asking an immigration judge to grant the youth legal resident status, but unless the petition is granted, Selim could be detained by immigration authorities — a risk that petrifies his attorneys and caregivers. He also could end up homeless.
"It would destroy him,” said the source familiar with the boy’s case. “It would, literally, be like putting a 2-year-old child in the middle of an intersection. He has no idea how to fend for himself. Whatever progress he’s made would completely crumble.”
Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1125524.html
Please share this news with friends, family and also with your contact list on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
Aged-out foster child faces possible homelessness The Autism News
My Two Cents -
Are they fuckin kidding me?
This "special needs" child has been a sourse of income to the State of Florida via the Title IV Federal funding for how many years while they claim he's here illegally and now WHAT?
I guess Immigration doesn't get the same federal funding that child services gets!
What a disgrace!
Refresh - Go to homepage
Something worth sharing..
Todays blog is for all my fellow bloggers that make it their life mission to help others wake the fuck up and smell the coffee!
(Cheers mate)
Hmmm am I hangin out with my Jamacian born half raised in England, best friend to much - Cheers mate? Where o where did I get that phrase LOL
July 3, 2009
Pieces of Compassion
Capricorn Daily Horoscope from Daily OM
Feelings of altruism can direct you to take action where suffering is concerned today. You may feel a powerful desire to do your part to save the world on an individual level and thus find yourself seeking opportunities to help people in need. Your kindheartedness can serve you well as you apply your resources toward ensuring that others have a chance to realize their dreams. If you begin to question the effectiveness of your efforts, however, consider that you are likely not alone in your quest to better the planet. You can take solace in the fact that others are taking similar steps to improve the lot of disadvantaged individuals all over the world.
Our smallest charitable endeavors are vital to the movement for worldwide improvement because it is these pieces of compassion that come together to create the sweeping changes that beautify humanity. A unique and fascinating ripple effect is created when we go out of our way to ensure that others receive an opportunity to enjoy the blessings we have been given. Minor philanthropic efforts can touch the lives of both those who are impacted directly and those who are witnesses to acts of selfless giving. These individuals are then inspired to become vehicles of compassion when presented with chances to do good deeds. We may not see the effects of our influence, but we can take pride in spreading generosity through our choices. Your altruistic actions will help others understand the importance of giving today
Want more DailyOM?
Register for your free email, or browse previous horoscopes
(Cheers mate)
Hmmm am I hangin out with my Jamacian born half raised in England, best friend to much - Cheers mate? Where o where did I get that phrase LOL
July 3, 2009
Pieces of Compassion
Capricorn Daily Horoscope from Daily OM
Feelings of altruism can direct you to take action where suffering is concerned today. You may feel a powerful desire to do your part to save the world on an individual level and thus find yourself seeking opportunities to help people in need. Your kindheartedness can serve you well as you apply your resources toward ensuring that others have a chance to realize their dreams. If you begin to question the effectiveness of your efforts, however, consider that you are likely not alone in your quest to better the planet. You can take solace in the fact that others are taking similar steps to improve the lot of disadvantaged individuals all over the world.
Our smallest charitable endeavors are vital to the movement for worldwide improvement because it is these pieces of compassion that come together to create the sweeping changes that beautify humanity. A unique and fascinating ripple effect is created when we go out of our way to ensure that others receive an opportunity to enjoy the blessings we have been given. Minor philanthropic efforts can touch the lives of both those who are impacted directly and those who are witnesses to acts of selfless giving. These individuals are then inspired to become vehicles of compassion when presented with chances to do good deeds. We may not see the effects of our influence, but we can take pride in spreading generosity through our choices. Your altruistic actions will help others understand the importance of giving today
Want more DailyOM?
Register for your free email, or browse previous horoscopes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
