Florida State Representative Demi Busatta Cabrera (R-114) has introduced HB 6511, a bill seeking $28 million in compensation for a child, identified as L.P., who suffered life-altering injuries due to the negligence of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The bill aims to provide financial relief for L.P.’s ongoing medical and psychological needs following a near-fatal attack by her mother in 2015.
On June 14, 2015, authorities responded to a wellness check request for L.P.’s mother after she sent concerning messages to family members, including a suicide video. The Sarasota Police Department alerted DCF, which sent caseworkers to assess the situation. However, the agency failed to properly evaluate the mother’s mental health and left L.P. in her custody instead of placing her with her grandmother, who lived nearby.
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Hours later, in a tragic turn of events, L.P.’s mother attempted to murder the then-six-year-old child, stabbing her 14 times, resulting in life-threatening injuries, including an attempted disembowelment. L.P. survived but has since endured numerous surgeries and psychological treatments.
In 2022, following a two-week trial, a jury found DCF negligent in failing to protect L.P. and awarded $28 million in damages. The verdict was upheld by the Second District Court of Appeal, confirming DCF’s responsibility in the case. Despite the ruling, DCF has only paid the statutory cap of $200,000 as allowed under Florida law, leaving the remaining damages unpaid.
According to the bill’s findings, L.P. faces over $14 million in medical costs and related expenses for ongoing treatment, in addition to an estimated $1.5 million in lost earning capacity due to her disabilities.
The proposed legislation seeks to appropriate $28 million from the state’s General Revenue Fund to provide financial relief to L.P. and her adoptive grandparents. The funds will be placed in a special needs trust, ensuring they are used exclusively for L.P.’s medical, psychological, and daily living expenses.
DCF has faced criticism for its handling of the case, with advocates calling for stricter oversight and accountability measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Advocacy groups and child welfare organizations have voiced support for HB 6511, urging lawmakers to ensure L.P. receives the necessary resources for her ongoing care.
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