Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez has filed a bill seeking to compensate a child who overdosed while in the care of a state foster parent.
The measure (SB 4) seeks a $20 million settlement for a child known as “C.C.” who sustained permanent injuries due to what the bill calls “negligence” from the Department of Children and Families (DCF).[1][2]
Rodriguez filed an identical claims bill (SB 2) during the 2025 Legislative Session and previously filed legislation seeking relief for C.C. in 2024 and 2023. A claims bill is a tool that lawmakers can use to compensate individuals or entities for injuries or losses resulting from the negligence or error of a public officer or agency.[3][4][5]
The now 11-year-old C.C. was left with permanent injuries that include suffering an anoxic brain injury, seizures, strokes and other neurological impairments after the child overdosed on his mother’s methadone.
DCF was accused of doing nothing about multiple abuse reports, despite knowing that C.C.’s mother, Anna Highland of Fort Myers, was an opioid addict who had taken methadone during her pregnancy.
Highland was formally licensed as a foster parent by DCF and had a long history with the Department dating back to 2012. Due to Highland’s drug use, C.C. was born addicted to opioids, causing the newborn to suffer significant withdrawal symptoms, which led to a month of hospitalization.
Within a seven-month period of the child being released back into the care of his mother, DCF received six separate allegations of child abuse related to Highland’s drug use. However, the Department closed the investigation and noted that Highland’s opioid use was not threatening C.C.’s safety.
The Department received two separate allegations against Highland in 2015, where she was accused of abusing a foster child in her care. DCF closed the case without investigation.
On Sept. 12, 2015, 13-month-old C.C. overdosed on Highland’s methadone, leading to a coma and a one-month hospitalization. DCF’s investigation revealed that Highland and her mother had delayed seeking medical help for approximately five hours.
In 2017, Highland was sentenced to 60 months in prison and two years of probation after release, while C.C. was placed into the care of his father.[6]
The bill says DCF failed in its duty to protect C.C. by allowing him to remain in his mother’s care without proper safety measures. It seeks a $20 million settlement to be paid into a trust for C.C.’s exclusive use. Attorneys fees and costs, as well as lobbying fees and similar expenses, would be restricted to 25% of the amount awarded.
If passed, the bill would take effect upon becoming law.