BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The family attorney of the 4-year-old killed in foster care said they’re pursuing legal action and are going to sue the agency and any private companies they’ve subcontracted.
The family told Channel 9 they believe the child, Joy King Castro, was knowingly placed in a dangerous situation with her foster mother, 41-year-old Lakeisha Mitchell.
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In August, 4-year-old Joy King Castro was rushed to Parrish Medical Center after her foster mother, 41-year-old Lakeisha Mitchell, said she was found unconscious and her lips were blue.
READ: Documents show history of Brevard County foster mother facing murder, child abuse charges
Documents show Mitchell was a foster parent before having Castro in her care. This year, she had two children placed in her care and is currently caring for siblings.
One source said at least two children in Mitchell’s care were removed earlier this year over quality-of-care allegations.
The Castro family attorney, Conti Moore Smith, sat down with Channel 9 to answer questions about agencies like Brevard Family Partnership and DCF.
READ: Grand jury indicts Titusville foster mom for murder in death of toddler placed in her care
“In my opinion and my experience with DCD, you can tell case workers are overworked,” Moore Smith said. “They’re not able to handle the amount of cases.”
Moore Smith said she thinks there’s a funding issue, among other things, that led to deaths like Castro’s.
READ: Brevard County foster mom behind bars after child found unconscious in tub dies
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