The attorney for accused murderer Donald Alfonso Henry informed Judge Peter Estrada Wednesday that the defense needed to file one more motion before the case was ready for the next step. ...more

October 22, 2009

The Child Abuse Council has dedicated a new Plant City center in honor of Lorena Jaeb, a longtime supporter. ...more

July 27, 2009

The road to Morocco will lead to Hollywood for one high bidder at the April 18 Rainbow Ball to benefit Plant City's Rainbow Family Learning Center. ...more

April 1, 2009

A Trinity fundraiser this weekend will benefit abused children in Pasco County. Aquaterra Salon and Spa, 7813 Mitchell Blvd. in Trinity, is opening its doors after business hours today to host a cut-a-thon fundraiser in support of Pasco Kids First. All proceeds from this event, scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m., will benefit the nonprofit organization "dedicated to the prevention, assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect," according to a news release. ...more

March 28, 2009

The road to Morocco will lead to Hollywood for one high bidder at the April 18 Rainbow Ball to benefit Plant City's Rainbow Family Learning Center. ...more

March 27, 2009

Preschoolers with a parent away at war were more likely to show aggression than other young children in military families, according to the first published research on how the very young react to wartime deployment. ...more

November 4, 2008

The joy of grandparenting comes at a price for Dave and Nora Dacus, like many others who step up when a child's parents can't or won't. ...more

September 14, 2008

Jeff Roth credits his faith and family in keeping him grounded in a difficult job where he regularly deals with horrific cases of child abuse and neglect. ...more

September 8, 2008

Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth, who announced his resignation last week, will be sorely missed. The straight shooter restored confidence in the much maligned agency. Understanding that when mistakes aren't acknowledged they will be repeated, he encouraged workers to openly admit mistakes, no small task in an agency notoriously adverse to transparency. ...more

August 4, 2008

SEBRING — Healthy Families Florida in Highlands County already has about 25 referrals and is welcoming more. "We are so enthused that the program has been so well received by the community," said Deborah Hadley, program manager for Highlands County. "We have a lot of parents calling asking about it and very excited to start the services." Healthy Families Florida is a nonprofit organization designed to prevent child abuse and neglect before it starts. The program provides voluntary, community-based home visitation services focused on promoting child health and development and positive parent-child interaction. THE PROGRAM EXPANDED INTO HIGHLANDS COUNTY IN FALL 2007 AFTER THE STATE LEGISLATURE ALLOCATED $2.2 MILLION TO THE EXPANSION STATEWIDE. HIGHLANDS COUNTY RECEIVED $296,000 TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM LOCALLY. ...more

January 26, 2008