From: Judi Spann On Behalf Of DCF Press Office
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:00 AM
To: DCF Press Office
Subject: Department of Children and Families News Release: Secretary
Convenes Workgroup
to Evaluate Circumstances Surrounding Death of 7-year-old in Foster Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2009
CONTACT: Judi Spann
(850) 488-4855

Department of Children and Families Secretary Convenes Workgroup to
Evaluate Circumstances Surrounding Death of 7-year-old in Foster Care

TALLAHASSEE, FL-Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary George
H. Sheldon today announced that the Department is establishing a workgroup
to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of
7-year-old Gabriel Myers. Gabriel died on April 16 when police indicated he
apparently hanged himself in the shower
of his foster parents' Margate home.

Following Gabriel's death, the Department of Children and Families
petitioned the court to release case files and notes relating to the child
while in state care. Normally, case files are only made public following a
death that is verified as a result of abuse or neglect, per Florida
Statutes. However, DCF believed it was in the public interest to open the
records to public scrutiny. A judge agreed and the petition was granted on
April 22, 2009.

"It is difficult for any of us to comprehend how a child so young could have
deliberately and consciously made the decision to end his life," said
Secretary Sheldon. "But in order to help prevent this type of tragedy from
happening again, it is critical we review
all available information to determine the factors that led to Gabriel's
death."

"The workgroup will conduct a full inquiry into the facts of the case, in
light of case management and judicial decisions, as well as determine the
contributing effects that psychotropic drugs and sexual abuse had," Sheldon
continued.

The workgroup will be led by former assistant commissioner of the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement Jim Sewell. Other members include DCF
Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Bill Janes;
Pharmacy Director for the Agency for Health Care
Administration Ann Wells; attorney and child advocate from Florida's
Children First Robin Rosenberg; and Rajiv Tandon, MD, psychiatrist with the
University of Florida. The Secretary has asked that the workgroup consult
with professionals from many different areas during this process, including
those in law enforcement, the courts, the school system, child welfare
officials, the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care
Administration and health care
practitioners.

"When a child comes into state care, we become the parent of that child and
must actively participate in all decisions regarding that child. To do
otherwise would be shirking the responsibility of this Department," said
Sheldon.

The workgroup will be asked to prepare a report based on their findings. The
report will be submitted to the Secretary and to the Department's Task Force
for Fostering Success, chaired by former Attorney General Bob Butterworth.
The Secretary will ask the Task
Force to provide recommendations based on the workgroup's report.

Last week Secretary Sheldon directed DCF staff to do a thorough review of
every foster child's file to determine how many children in foster care have
been prescribed psychotropic drugs and to what extent. A 2005 study found
that 6% of children under the age of
18 in Florida were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug. That figure
was nearly four times higher for foster children. "Much progress has been
made since that 2005 study, but we need to
continually review protocols to ensure children are not unnecessarily
medicated or inadequately monitored if medicated," said Sheldon.

"We need to develop a refined protocol for the use of these types of drugs
in our children," said Secretary Sheldon. "I want to ensure that
prescription drugs of this nature are used appropriately, always under
medical and judicial supervision and with consultation with DCF
staff."

"By reviewing the facts of this case carefully, we can work to continue to
improve the child welfare system in Florida. While much progress has been
made, Gabriel's death starkly reminds us that when it comes to a child's
life, we cannot relax. Every decision we make
profoundly affects the life of that child," said Sheldon.

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