Wex Wimpy
September 2nd 03, 07:05 PM
Settlement reached in DCF case
Latiana Hamilton
JACKSONVILLE, FL - On Wednesday four children were forced to do
something that would be tough for anyone, testify about what happened
the day police say their mother drowned her 17-month old foster
daughter, Latiana Hamilton.
Lena Cumberbatch's case will not go to trial until next month but many
believe the testimony her children give will play a large role in the
outcome of her case.
Latiana Hamilton was one of four foster children sent by the DCF to
live with Lena and Keith Cumberbatch. Their home according to
testimony given by the couple's own four children was accustom to
abuse on a daily basis.
Before placing Latiana in the Cumberbatch's home the Department of
Children and Families reportedly failed to check abuse complaints
against them in Michigan before they moved to Jacksonville. The
department even waived their own rules regarding the number of
children allowed in a foster home.
According to Attorney Helen Spohrer, "I think anytime you have a child
who's placed in a situation where they are abused, neglected, or
harmed in any way of course it's going to be an outrage."
For months now lawyers representing the 17-month-old who died, Latiana
Hamilton, have been working to sue the Department of Children and
Families for what happened to their client. After months of legal
wrangling First Coast News has learned that the lawsuit against the
DCF has been settled out of court.
The suit was filed two years ago and it was expected that the case
would eventually head to trial. Lawyers filed a civil suit, which made
it easier for them to receive a higher award if the case was settled.
According to Spohrer, "You're always certainly going to try and do
what's in the best interest of your client. And if it's an early
resolution that's agreeable to all the parties, well clearly that's
going to be the better route to take."
Details of the settlement are being kept confidential, however First
Coast News has learned that the award is greater than $200,000. A
second suit involving Latiana's surviving brother is still pending.
Lena Cumberbatch's criminal trial is scheduled to begin on September
8th.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=7434
Latiana Hamilton
JACKSONVILLE, FL - On Wednesday four children were forced to do
something that would be tough for anyone, testify about what happened
the day police say their mother drowned her 17-month old foster
daughter, Latiana Hamilton.
Lena Cumberbatch's case will not go to trial until next month but many
believe the testimony her children give will play a large role in the
outcome of her case.
Latiana Hamilton was one of four foster children sent by the DCF to
live with Lena and Keith Cumberbatch. Their home according to
testimony given by the couple's own four children was accustom to
abuse on a daily basis.
Before placing Latiana in the Cumberbatch's home the Department of
Children and Families reportedly failed to check abuse complaints
against them in Michigan before they moved to Jacksonville. The
department even waived their own rules regarding the number of
children allowed in a foster home.
According to Attorney Helen Spohrer, "I think anytime you have a child
who's placed in a situation where they are abused, neglected, or
harmed in any way of course it's going to be an outrage."
For months now lawyers representing the 17-month-old who died, Latiana
Hamilton, have been working to sue the Department of Children and
Families for what happened to their client. After months of legal
wrangling First Coast News has learned that the lawsuit against the
DCF has been settled out of court.
The suit was filed two years ago and it was expected that the case
would eventually head to trial. Lawyers filed a civil suit, which made
it easier for them to receive a higher award if the case was settled.
According to Spohrer, "You're always certainly going to try and do
what's in the best interest of your client. And if it's an early
resolution that's agreeable to all the parties, well clearly that's
going to be the better route to take."
Details of the settlement are being kept confidential, however First
Coast News has learned that the award is greater than $200,000. A
second suit involving Latiana's surviving brother is still pending.
Lena Cumberbatch's criminal trial is scheduled to begin on September
8th.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=7434