Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:59 pm
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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/conte ... 7&cxcat=76
House panel agrees to pay damages for injured Lake Worth child
By DWAYNE ROBINSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 17, 2008
TALLAHASEE — Marissa Amora, who suffered permanent brain damage as a two-year-old in her Lake Worth home due to the Department of Children and Families' negligence in 2001, finally had a hearing in the legislature today.
After repeated delays, the House Healthcare Council gave unanimous initial approval to a bill that would award her a 2005, $26.7 million civil judgment against DCF to help fund the lifetime medical bills of the nine-year-old, who cannot walk or use the bathroom without assistance, swallow properly or eat without a feeding tube.
But the chances for Marissa's bill passage are slim for this legislative session, even after Gov. Charlie Crist and his DCF director reversed course on the state's objection to the 2005 judgment under former Gov. Jeb Bush.
Another House council must OK the measure (HB 443) before the full chamber votes on the award. Plus, there have been no hearings in the Senate (SB 46) and none scheduled so far with just about two weeks until the legislature ends its session.
Florida's sovereign immunity cap limits civil judgments against government bodies and agencies to no more than $200,000. Only the legislature can override the cap and grant any money above that.
"I think everyone realizes the state has a responsibility in this case," said bill sponsor State Rep. Marti Coley, a Republican from Marianna, where Marissa now lives with her adopted parents. "This young lady would have lived a healthy, normal life had the proper procedures been followed. It's a very tragic, tragic case."
DCF officials did not follow procedures and released a two-year-old Marissa to her natural mother in 2001 from Miami Children's Hospital, with pre-existing evidence of child neglect and abuse. Police suspected the mother's boyfriend beat her into a coma about a month later.
Dawn and Ric Amora, formerly of Loxahatchee, where they cared for other children with disabilities, adopted Marissa, formerly known as Moesha Sylencieux, and won the jury award against DCF.
At 9, Marissa has the mental capacity of a three-year-old.
.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/conte ... 7&cxcat=76
House panel agrees to pay damages for injured Lake Worth child
By DWAYNE ROBINSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 17, 2008
TALLAHASEE — Marissa Amora, who suffered permanent brain damage as a two-year-old in her Lake Worth home due to the Department of Children and Families' negligence in 2001, finally had a hearing in the legislature today.
After repeated delays, the House Healthcare Council gave unanimous initial approval to a bill that would award her a 2005, $26.7 million civil judgment against DCF to help fund the lifetime medical bills of the nine-year-old, who cannot walk or use the bathroom without assistance, swallow properly or eat without a feeding tube.
But the chances for Marissa's bill passage are slim for this legislative session, even after Gov. Charlie Crist and his DCF director reversed course on the state's objection to the 2005 judgment under former Gov. Jeb Bush.
Another House council must OK the measure (HB 443) before the full chamber votes on the award. Plus, there have been no hearings in the Senate (SB 46) and none scheduled so far with just about two weeks until the legislature ends its session.
Florida's sovereign immunity cap limits civil judgments against government bodies and agencies to no more than $200,000. Only the legislature can override the cap and grant any money above that.
"I think everyone realizes the state has a responsibility in this case," said bill sponsor State Rep. Marti Coley, a Republican from Marianna, where Marissa now lives with her adopted parents. "This young lady would have lived a healthy, normal life had the proper procedures been followed. It's a very tragic, tragic case."
DCF officials did not follow procedures and released a two-year-old Marissa to her natural mother in 2001 from Miami Children's Hospital, with pre-existing evidence of child neglect and abuse. Police suspected the mother's boyfriend beat her into a coma about a month later.
Dawn and Ric Amora, formerly of Loxahatchee, where they cared for other children with disabilities, adopted Marissa, formerly known as Moesha Sylencieux, and won the jury award against DCF.
At 9, Marissa has the mental capacity of a three-year-old.
.