Is it me, or does Florida seem to emerge in the news for these type of horrendous stories more often than many other states? I'm not some Bush family patron and have never even given Jeb a look for national office, but with this issue coming to the forefront of the society, how long can Jeb Bush go without taking some blame - which wouldn't serve him too well, assuming he has such designs?
This is ridiculous. Maybe that state needs to get out of the family services field altogether.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A 17-year-old sex offender at a juvenile detention center, allegedly assigned to bathe and change a severely mentally retarded boy, has been accused of raping the boy.
Lee Donton was charged with sexual battery on a child after two other teens in the detention center reported twice seeing him rape the 15-year-old boy, who a relative said was autistic.
Juvenile Justice Secretary Anthony Schembri said it was against department policy to have one youth take care of another for any reason.
"We're going to get to the bottom of this, and heads are going to roll," Schembri said.
Why have "powers that be" allowed a 17 year old minor there to do this type of work in the first place?!?!
Posted by: chrys | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 09:51 PM
Oh man! This really makes me angry. What the heck are they thinking? GRRRRRR. This guy should have never been allowed a job of this type!!!!
Posted by: angela | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 09:56 PM
i have seen this kind of thing happen in every state i have lived in (texas, nebraska, north carolina, georgia and florida). it is a leadership issue for sure - but lets look at the detention facility. what you're saying is like blaming gwb for the hurricanes! yikes!
Posted by: pamperedjen | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 09:58 PM
Before everyone gets their panties in a twist, maybe we should wait for an investigation to be conducted. :( While I agree that a 17-year-old should not be caring for a 15-year-old in this type of situation, it *was* stated that the teen who accused Donton of this horrendous crime has already been caught lying to authorities NUMEROUS times. Dan, you've been so quick to defend Joran van der Sloot lately on lack of evidence, maybe you should do the same for this individual. I'm not saying Donton didn't do it, but what happened to innocent until proven guilty? The testimony of a questionable witness should not be enough to damn this kid!
Posted by: AtheistGirl | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 10:07 PM
Florida is like Liberty Island for sex offenders....
Posted by: absynth_minded | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 10:25 PM
Florida Dept of Family Services has had their problems in the past with people incharge @ state level as well as county level and people losing their jobs. In this case, this 15 yr old, severely mentally retarded boy, why was he put into this detention center with the capable trouble teens? This question I'm certain will require answers. If he were not capable of bathing himself, other measures should have been taken in placing a individual with his disablities in an appropriate facility
Posted by: *flo* | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 10:44 PM
Florida is like Liberty Island for sex offenders....
Posted by: absynth_minded | Oct 20, 2005 10:25:21 PM
Florida also leads by example when it comes to prosecuting a sex offender....Megan's Law
Posted by: *flo* | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 10:47 PM
It's about time Jeb Bush is held responsible for these atrocities. He can stand up and open his mouth every time he wants more money from a hurricane...
Posted by: Nchanted | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:14 PM
Posted by: absynth_minded | Oct 20, 2005 10:25:21 PM
its this law which is leading....
The Jessica Lunsford Act
Posted by: *flo* | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:17 PM
how long can Jeb Bush go without taking some blame - which wouldn't serve him too well, assuming he has such designs?
Posted by Dan in News | Permalink
As you know, I am not a Bush family supporter, but....if we hold one man responsible for the evil that occurs, will we give him credit for the good as well?
Along those same lines, when we look to the leader in a situation as this are we actually under the impression that one man can (or should) have that kind of control?
How can he, or anyone else be responsible for each and every event or happening that occurs, and each and every human being in his state?
Again, while I am not a Bush fan, it is the mindset that scares me much more than a man. If the nation, or the stte looks to one man only for all the answers...then we have a de facto dictatorship, and we will begin to allow him/her to make all of our decisions for us.
Bush cannot be held responsible for what some sick 17 year old does...but the parents are a different story. And,..even they cannot corral a kid at 17, so blame him...try him as an adult, fry him, if guilty, and be done with it.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:23 PM
parents are a different story. And,..even they cannot corral a kid at 17, so blame him...try him as an adult, fry him, if guilty, and be done with it.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Oct
==============
Apparently these kids were in custody of the state - incarcerated and under juvenile justice supervision. They parents would only be allowed brief weekly visits in this situation so were not allowed to supervise the boy.
Posted by: shonane | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:49 PM
Apparently these kids were in custody of the state - incarcerated and under juvenile justice supervision. They parents would only be allowed brief weekly visits in this situation so were not allowed to supervise the boy.
Posted by: shonane | Oct 20, 2005 11:49:58 PM
Who raised him? Or didn't...I should say. They were under state control because the parents did not do their job. The state, on the other hand, rarely does, but it is still not possible for the governor to oversee every detail of every thing that the state is responsible for.
Bush cannot be held responsible. If anyone, on the "adult" level is responsible, it is those with direct supervision but when somebody is 17 the odds of changing them with government overseers are slim to none.
Therefore, it is him that is responsible. Try him, if guilty, fry him.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:56 PM
Florida is in the top five most populous states in the union. It has an extremely culturally diverse population and many immigrants and other unique challenges. There are Sunshine Laws which mean all public business with a few exceptions are open to public as are records unless are deemed confidential. Does more happen in Florida than other states in proportion to the population? Maybe, but probably not, but it comes out in the press. Bad incidents happen all over anytime the state takes custody of people, but some places are able to hide it better than others.
Governor Bush will have the Juvenile Justice system administration in a frenzy for the next year over this tightening up, checking dependent children security measures, reporting about any incidents and interventions. He will take this incident seriously.
Posted by: shonane | Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 11:58 PM
In order for real change to occur in this country, information has to come out somewhere. It is actually a credit to the government of Florida that they are recognizing all of these situations, which, if we think are not going on in the other states, then we are deluding ourselves. Hey, at least when this kind of stuff comes out, they address it immediately and don't try to sweep it under the rug. It is an unfortunate, albeit horrible situation, let's hope both the predator and the victim can be given the help to get them through this. For once I agree with shonane, Bush will get to the bottom of this and make sure the chances of it happening again are slim and none. Can we confidently state that about all the other governors in this country?
Posted by: bizarre | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 03:12 AM
I can hear the excuses:
"He was supervised" (while the supervisor took a coffee break)
"We were short handed" (underpaid special needs workers creates this dilema)
"We can't get sued or we'll pay off the family if they are persistant enough"
Posted by: FloridaPatty | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 06:29 AM
Florida is the nexxus of all things weird and freaky in the universe. I say this as one in the know...I grew up there and lived there up until 5 years ago. I have a running joke with some colleagues wherein they send me the headlines and links to the stories that seem to show up in the news daily about the general strangeness of the place.
There's a whole sub-genre of fiction called Florida Bizarre, written by folks like Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry that plays off the bizarre nature of happenings in the Sunshine State.
Here are a couple of weird things that happened in Florida within my memory...disgusted with local exotic/strip club owner Joe Redner, the powers that be in Tampa decided to pass an "anti-lap dance ordinance" which stated that dancers could not get any closer to club patrons than 6 feet (I think -- may have the number wrong)...which basically meant that the patrons not only were prohibited from purchasing lap dances, but also from tipping the dancers in the traditional way -- causing economic hardship for the strippers. Putting aside for the moment any personal feelings about strip clubs, this had to be one of the funniest periods in Tampa's history...dancers of all types, dressed in all manner of clothing, showed up at the hearing at which the ordinance was to be discussed, which was televised on local TV (highest viewership ever for a council meeting); and it was revealed that the council members had spent much time reviewing taped materials from the inside of the clubs....hours and hours of footage deemed pornographically explicit. Local church leaders had participated in the viewings, if I am not mistaken.
The ordinance passed, and enforcement became a game. One of Redner's clubs put a big banner on the roof daring law enforcement to catch them in the act, so to speak, and the police suddenly were spending a lot of time in the clubs.
Subsequent to this, Joe Redner, who is a successful businessman (again putting aside opinions on the business itself), decided to run for City Council on a first amendment platform. Unfortunately, successful though he might be, he is inarticulate, misogynistic, and was supported by a phalanx of scantily clad exotic dancers whose main form of campaigning was to wiggle and leer. He didn't win, but the media had an absolute field day with the entire thing.
That is one small example that I recall -- there are many many more. The mayor of a small beach community (population 15, sometimes, 10 others, depending on season), who was arrested for assaulting a woman who had a cup of coffee -- gasp -- on 'his' beach; an ordinance prohibiting the sale of hotdogs by street vendors wearing T-back bathing suits because the rubbernecking drivers passing by were getting in too many accidents; and a controversial disc jocky named Bubba the Love Sponge (which speaks for itself in a creepy-gross way).
The economic conditions are probably the primary factor in the weirdness that is Florida -- no state taxes, real estate that has traditionally been priced much lower than comparable properties in other states, etc. (real estate has skyrocketed recently so that is probably going to go away as a factor). Also, proximity to the ocean in so many areas has meant a large drug-trafficking sub-economy, which attracts all kinds of criminal or would-be criminal types, and a climate that is attractive to the purposefully homeless, all add up to seriously odd happenings. This stuff pre-dates Jeb, by the way, by years. There is no simple fix, unfortunately -- one previous governor enacted an impact tax, which had to do with one's car, I believe, such that new residents had to pay something like $500 to move their car to Florida with them and get it properly licensed...the idea was to stop people from coming in if they couldn't pay -- unfortunately, people came anyway and just drove their cars without properly registering them, and the law was ultimately struck down as unconstitutional.
And so it goes.
D
Posted by: Deb | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 10:54 AM
Ah yes, Florida, the Land of Fruits and Nuts. I don't think California is too far behind - actually maybe first. So many people from all over the world, and aside from the retirees and natives, lots of stories if they wanted to tell. I think any aspirations Jeb Bush had for the presidency have been totally dashed by the behavior of GWB (yeah, I voted for him twice - but actually did not feel there was much of a choice). Don't forget that child protective services still cannot account for a good many (can't remember the specific horrific number) of the children under their purview.
Posted by: Bella | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 01:27 PM
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) -- A 93-year-old driver apparently suffering from dementia fatally struck a pedestrian and drove for three miles with the man's body through his windshield, police said.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/21/elderly.driver.ap/index.html
add this to the Florida mix -- there is also a massive problem with drivers who oughten't be on the road -- in FL if you can pass the eye exam, your license is renewed. Becasue FL is a popular retirement place, and sometimes folks who ought to stop driving for one reason or another either don't know they shouold or flat out won't, it can be like driving an obstacle course.
Posted by: Deb | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Why is this Bush's fault. Give me a break.
Posted by: inxs | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 03:48 PM
Posted by: Bella | Oct 21, 2005 1:27:01 PM
Hmmm. Someone needs to eat some shut up pie!
Posted by: Isabell | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 03:57 PM
Posted by: Deb | Oct 21, 2005 2:16:51 PM
and her also! shutup! headlines are just that. These people are everywhere! Get a clue.
Posted by: Isabell | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 03:58 PM
It's not Florida...it's the freak shows who move here. 95% of Florida are out of towners or immagrants. Thanks for ruining our state
Posted by: Mike | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 04:09 PM
Wow -- that's what I thought I said -- that the tax structure, real estate prices and climate attract transients....I LOVE Florida, and part of it is because it's so wacky -- not all the wacky stuff is bad. Some of it is just weird and funny.
I think I was pretty clear also that it pre-dates Jeb, and is not something government can really control. You don't hear about Maine Bizarre, or Georgia Bizarre as genres of fiction for a reason -- the mix of people in FL, attracted by those things I already mentioned, generates a lot of strange stuff.
It's not Fl per se, but since a lot of strange stuff happens there, the rest of the world ends up recognizing that fact and referring to it as a Florida phenomenon.
Not really accustomed to being told to shut up over positing a well reasoned opinion based on not only my own experience as a FL resident for 35 years, but also as a writer who follows the Florida Bizarre genre specifically, since I write in it, and strange headlines such as the one I posted above as a matter of habit (especially those that happen in FL), as fodder for my fiction. Didn't want to offend -- thought that I would address the lighter side of Florda's general weirdness in reponse to original post. Will refrain from posting on this topic again.
Posted by: deb | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 04:40 PM
Hmmm. Someone needs to eat some shut up pie!
Posted by: Isabell | Oct 21, 2005 3:57:45 PM
And just what is YOUR problem?
Posted by: bella | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 04:44 PM
and her also! shutup! headlines are just that. These people are everywhere! Get a clue.
Posted by: Isabell | Oct 21, 2005 3:58:38 PM
Some people need to learn to use correct English grammar
Posted by: Bella | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 04:48 PM
in FL if you can pass the eye exam, your license is renewed
Posted by: Deb | Oct 21, 2005 2:16:51 PM
Let me help you with some of the FACTS, should you be on any type of medication, diabetic, highblood pressure, have fainting spells, in most cases, you will need to go before a review board to determine license renewal.
As for the anti-lap dance ordinance, I remember this fiasco, happening back 5 yrs or so ago...same stuff still goes on, its much better in the VIP rooms ;)....BTW, Joe Redner is recognized as a 1st Amendment advocate for Adult Entertainment and gay rights
http://www.redner.com/
Posted by: *flo* | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 10:12 PM
ok -- one last one :)
My grandmother passed about 5 years ago, and she drove up until the week she died. She was on a ton of medication, could not walk without the assistance of a cane, andhad glaucoma in one eye...never went before a board. I understand the regs may say that you have to, but I'd hazard that a bunch of people never say they take any of those drugs. We discouraged driving, and I tried to make her let me do her shopping and take her to her Dr.s appointment -- short of gainign power of attorney over her, there wasn't much we could do. I took her out to lunch alot, after we shopped, so she'd have a good reason to let someone else drive :)
Also, I have no real problem with Redner -- he's quite the character, and in many ways I agree with his first amendment stance...but the whole thing was absolutely hilarious, and frankly, he would have shaken up council or commission in so many ways that I kind of hoped he'd make it even though I know he wouldn't. Oddysey and the other one, Tanga? on the Causeway probably sealed his fate as far as holdiong office goes. Do you remember the big banner on 2001?
saying again...LOVE FL...is my home even thought I don't live there any more. Miss it lots. Still, it IS weird.
Posted by: Deb | Friday, October 21, 2005 at 10:59 PM
he would have shaken up council or commission in so many ways
Posted by: Deb | Oct 21, 2005 10:59:54 PM
he still does, he made the local news the other evening standing before a board, advocating gay rights and some activity in the area...Something happen to the Tanga Club on the Causeway, it either had a fire or torn down....
Posted by: *flo* | Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 01:01 AM
Ah yes, Florida, the Land of Fruits and Nuts. I don't think California is too far behind - actually maybe first.
Posted by: Bella | Oct
============
I have lived in Florida for 28 years and grew up in Alabama 8 miles north of Florida line.
Here we would relabel you definition to say that its population is "culturally diverse" with saturated pockets of elderly/ retirees. I like the diversity.
Posted by: shonane | Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 01:34 AM