U.S. District Judge Rejects Lawsuit Against Florida’s Foster Care Agency

December 17, 2001 U.S. District Judge Rejects Lawsuit Against Florida's Foster Care Agency In December 2001, U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno in Miami, Florida, threw out a lawsuit designed to force sweeping changes in the state's foster care system. Judge Moreno ruled that federal oversight of Florida's child welfare system was unnecessary because individual state court judges had the power to protect and order services for children under their jurisdiction. He dismissed the suit's primary claims against the Florida Department of Children and Families "with prejudice," meaning attorneys cannot refile them in federal court . . .