Bill > S0004

Introduced Session

An act for the relief of C.C. by the Department of Children and Families; providing an appropriation to compensate C.C. for injuries and damages sustained as a result of the negligence of the department; providing a limitation on compensation and the payment of attorney fees and certain costs; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, on August 12, 2014, Anna Highland, a resident of Fort Myers, gave birth to C.C., who was born addicted to methadone as a result of Ms. Highland’s opiate dependence, cocaine abuse, and intravenous drug use, and WHEREAS, at the time of C.C.’s birth, Ms. Highland was licensed as a foster parent by the Department of Children and Families and had significant involvement with the department dating back to 2012, and WHEREAS, due to Ms. Highland’s drug abuse throughout her pregnancy, C.C. suffered severe withdrawal symptoms after his birth which required him to be hospitalized for a month in a neonatal intensive care unit and treated with morphine, and WHEREAS, during the 6 months before C.C.’s birth, the department received three separate child abuse hotline reports regarding Ms. Highland, including reports alleging that she was abusing drugs and physically abusing her foster child, and WHEREAS, the department opened an investigation after receiving a fourth child abuse hotline report made on August 12, 2014, the day of C.C.’s birth, alleging that Ms. Highland had tested positive for drugs while pregnant, and WHEREAS, on September 3, 2014, while the investigation was pending, the department received two additional child abuse hotline reports alleging that Ms. Highland was abusing drugs, and WHEREAS, despite receiving six abuse allegations within a 7-month period, the department advised the hospital on September 3, 2014, that there was no hold on C.C. and that he was free to be released to Ms. Highland, and WHEREAS, on September 6, 2014, C.C. was discharged from the hospital to Ms. Highland’s care with no intervention and no services in place to protect C.C. from the potentially dangerous effects of Ms. Highland’s drug addiction, and WHEREAS, on September 23, 2014, the department closed its investigation with findings of substance misuse not substantiated and a determination that Ms. Highland’s methadone use had no implications for child safety, and WHEREAS, on June 3, 2015, and again on August 6, 2015, the department received two new child abuse hotline reports alleging that Ms. Highland was abusing the foster child in her care, both of which the department closed without investigation, and WHEREAS, on September 12, 2015, when C.C. was 13 months old, he overdosed on Ms. Highland’s methadone, was found unresponsive and not breathing, and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where he remained in a coma for 2 weeks and was hospitalized for 1 month, and WHEREAS, the department’s investigation of C.C.’s overdose revealed that Ms. Highland, as well as her mother who was present, waited 5 hours before seeking medical attention for C.C. while his condition continued to deteriorate, and WHEREAS, as a result of the department’s investigation of the overdose, C.C. was finally removed from Ms. Highland’s care and placed in the care of his father, and WHEREAS, as the state agency charged with operating the child welfare system in this state, including conducting child protective investigations to ensure child safety and prevent further harm to children under s. 39.001, Florida Statutes, the department owed C.C. a duty to ensure his safety and protect him from further harm, and WHEREAS, the department failed to protect C.C. from further harm when it negligently allowed him to be released from the hospital to Ms. Highland’s care after his birth with no services or interventions in place to protect him from the potentially dangerous effects of her drug addiction, and WHEREAS, the department’s negligence resulted in severe and permanent injuries to C.C., now 9 years of age, including, but not limited to, an anoxic brain injury; seizures; strokes and neurological impairments; permanent hearing, vision, and speech impediments; cognitive impairment, including memory loss and learning disabilities; and permanent injuries impacting his coordination and gross and fine motor skills, requiring lifelong care, and WHEREAS, the State of Florida recognizes an equitable obligation to redress the injuries and damages C.C. sustained as a result of the negligence of the department and its failure to exercise its duties to ensure the safety of children in this state and protect them from further harm, NOW, THEREFORE,

Ana Maria Rodriguez (R)*, 

Introduced (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document