Page 17 - Baker Acted News Today

TALLAHASSEE — In his first legislative session, state Rep. Patt Maney took on something no other lawmaker has had much luck tackling: a thorough overhaul of statutes governing the Baker and Marchman acts. The Baker Act, passed in 1971, governs involuntary commitments based on mental health. The Marchman Act, passed in 1993, allows similar action to be taken in cases involving alcohol addiction or substance abuse.  "These laws have been subject to numerous revisions since their enactments, bu...

Family struggles as $60M judgment after crash remains unpaid JAKE ALLEN, Naples Daily News April 11, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail Angela Crowe, left, poses for a photo with her mother, Joan Antonuccio, right, while holding their dog at their home in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. A jury awarded $60 million to Crowe and Antonuccio in 2015 in a judgment against a former North Naples bar that served Crowe and her then-boyfriend too much alcohol on the night of the crash in 2003. Crowe an...

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 4.8.21 Good Thursday morning. Tweet, tweet: Multiple sources close to @HalseyBeshears, fmr Secy of @FloridaDBPR under @GovRonDeSantis , tell @Fla_Pol that he is third Florida Republican embroiled in the @MattGaetz & Joel Greenberg scandal. Sources say he recently received a "target letter" from federal investigators. pic.twitter.com/IFpyHTJhFC As the vaccine rollout continues and state case numbers hover near pandemi...

In-depth: Southern Poverty Law Center fights against state law they say negatively impacts children 36,000 children are committed a year under the Baker Act WFTS and last updated 2021-03-17 08:50:41-04 TAMPA, Fla. — Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of children involuntarily committed to mental hospitals under the Baker Act. One organization says it believes children of color and children with learning disabilities are more likely to be committed in Florida...

Unmasking the Epidemic: Help & hope Kids’ Minds Matter, Lee Health, to address mental health impacts of COVID-19 By CJ HADDAD - | Mar 17, 2021 Sometimes just knowing there’s someone to reach out to can make all the difference in the world. That’s why local organizations and community partners are working to break the perceived stigma of mental health via an online platform aimed at unveiling avenues of relief for youths who have struggled with mental fatigue amidst a global pandemic th...

More than 30,000 children have been involuntarily committed in Florida every year since 2013 — a trend which advocates say is a “misuse” of the state’s Baker Act that leaves kids who are already vulnerable “deeply traumatized.”

Watchdog Group Demands Change to Laws Governing the Baker Acting of Children When a child is Baker Acted, they are usually taken from school by law enforcement and transported to one of the more than 100 psychiatric facilities designated to receive involuntary admissions. The Baker Act has been a formidable survivor of reformation and according to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, changes to protect children are needed. Invoking the Baker Act is a profoundly serious human rights matter. ...

Doctors agree: Man was insane when he ran down Tampa family, killing father of 2 Gloria Gomez reports TAMPA, Fla. - Mikese Morse, the man accused of running over a Tampa family with his car back in June of 2018, has a good chance to avoid prison. Lead prosecutor Scott Harmon had the bombshell announcement during a virtual hearing this morning. "We are in agreement to allow the defendant to be found not guilty by reason of insanity," he said. Harmon explained to the court that both the defenses ...

Peaches Dance and Music Orlando dance instructor and "Dance Moms" star Kevin Cosculluela was arrested by Orange County deputies Jan. 20 after he was accused of sexual battery and manipulation by former students.

Deputys accused killer avoided trial for assaulting deputies in Georgia Gloria Gomez reports TAMPA, Fla. - Before Travis Garrett rammed his vehicle into the car of Hillsborough Sheriff Corporal Brian LaVigne, killing him, he attacked two sheriff deputies in Camden, Georgia during an incident in May of 2017, according to court documents obtained by FOX 13. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister touched on it during a recent press conference. "No criminal history here in Hillsborough County. We did...