Tasha Patterson pictued with her twin boys, which were not only removed by DCF but also adopted out
Late Thursday Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law which will enable the Florida Department of Children and Families to delay the removal of children from their families when presented with certain medical conditions which can appear to be abuse related without expert medical diagnosis. However, the family for whom the legislation was named remains unreunited with their children.
Patterson’s Law is named for Tasha & Michael Patterson and their twin boys, whom the State of Florida seemingly wrongfully removed from their custody then adopted out of state custody.
“My husband and I are grateful for the legislators who fought hard for not just us but all of the innocent families across the state with medically complex children. It’s a step in the right direction but there’s still much work to be done. We’re grateful, however, for this first step. This law was inspired by my children— the Patterson twins. Although the state has refused to do right for our family, the Patterson twins have already set the tone for change,” Tasha told South Santa Rosa News on Friday, adding, “Finality should never supersede the truth.”
It is unknown at this time if the legislation will help the Pattersons get their twins returned, considering their children were adopted in what appears to have been an expedited proceeding.
In another medically related case, Navarre mom Joy Zuraff is one step closer to being reunited with her child after seeking a second opinion for her daughter’s cystic fibrosis treatment after a visit to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. DCF not only removed the child but foster care was in Jacksonville, requiring Zuraff and her other daughter to make weekly trips to the East Coast for two years before the child was moved to a foster care provider in Santa Rosa County earlier this year.
An Okaloosa case involving two active duty airmen could be positively impacted by the new legislation after their child was taken by DCF before certain genetic testing was performed.
Rep. Patt Maney of Okaloosa County was a sponsor of the legislation, which was filed by Senator Barbara Sharief, who is a nurse practitioner by trade. Both chambers unanimously approved the bill, which was named Patterson’s Law for the family which was ripped apart before certain medical testing was performed.
The legislation applies in cases where Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other diagnoses like rickets result in bone fragility, bruising or other conditions which can mimic abuse.
Rushing to assume abuse in Florida has been problematic for families for years. Back in 2015, Dr. Sally Smith was a pediatrician working on a “Child Protection Team” when she formally accused Maya Kowalski’s mother of child abuse. That Mom committed suicide. The hospital and Smith were sued. The family was awarded more than $200 million. A related documentary “Take Care of Maya” is available via Netflix.
Other documentaries have detailed related issues, including: NEVER IN AMERICA
In related news, DCF works with FamiliesFirst Network, which currently provides case management for children removed from their families and placed into State custody. Just this week a local FFN worker was arrested. READ MORE: WEAR ABC 3 COVERAGE OF FamiliesFirst Network employee’s arrest
