Florida Must Do Better at Stopping Sexual Abuse in Foster Care, Top Official Says

TAMPA BAY TIMES

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 five had their complaints substantiated.

Those numbers aren’t good enough, said Chad Poppell, secretary of Florida’s Department of Children and Families. He announced this week 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 double check that investigation. read more »

Philly Cops' Gender Bias Suit Trimmed, But Not Tossed

LAW 360

A federal judge has ruled that Philadelphia must face the bulk of a lawsuit brought by female police officers who say they faced sexual harassment on the job, ruling that their suit alleges misconduct serious enough to keep their claims in court.

Audra McCowan, who is Black, and Jennifer Allen, who is Black and Hispanic, first sued in July 2019. Their 113-page, second amended complaint alleges an abundance of biased treatment, including sexual harassment by a co-worker, the denial of positions and training for which they were qualified and unfair assignments in retaliation for their complaints. read more »

Ghislaine Maxwell Appeals Bail Rejection While Awaiting Trial

THE GUARDIAN

Ghislaine Maxwell is appealing against a judge’s order that she remain jailed in New York while awaiting trial on charges she recruited girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

Lawyers for the daughter of the British press baron Robert Maxwell notified a trial judge on Monday of plans to appeal against the decision two weeks ago to reject a $28.5m bail package. The notice of appeal was posted publicly on Tuesday in the Manhattan federal court record. read more »