FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2013 CONTACT: Representative Katie Edwards, 305.281.7323 [email protected] Representative Katie Edwards Gets First‐Hand Look at Center Where Girl May Have Been Mistreated Freshman Legislator Also Discusses Accountability With Governor Scott PEMBROKE PINES – A week after calling for legislative hearings into the possible mistreatment of a girl in a state‐licensed adolescent treatment center, Representative Katie Edwards discussed accountability for public rehabilitation programs with Governor Rick Scott today and got a first‐hand look at the center’s operations. “I wanted to share my concerns with Governor Scott that agencies using taxpayers’ dollars to perform these kinds of vital public services are held accountable,” said Representative Edwards (D‐Plantation). “I believe he shares my concerns and I appreciate him listening.” After having lunch with Governor Scott, Representative Edwards toured the Citrus Center for Adolescent Treatment Service with Mario Jardon, president of Citrus Health Network. A surveillance video of the incident was reported by local media that showed the girl apparently being punched and subdued with pepper spray by law enforcement officers called in to quell a disturbance at the center. The girl is described as an adolescent whose parents are deceased and has been in the state juvenile justice system for a lengthy amount of time. “I want to try and understand what kind of circumstances would call for a reaction such as this,” Representative Edwards said. “Because of this incident she is being charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer, and that’s going to have a huge impact on her.” Last week Representative Edwards called on House Health & Human Services Committee Chairman Richard Corcoran to hold a hearing looking into the incident when it meets in Tallahassee late next month. “It’s imperative that legislators be advised as to how these kinds of centers operate since we are the ones who fund and ultimately are responsible for their operations,” Edwards said. ###