Title: Relief/Eddie Weekley/Charlotte Williams/APD

Summary: Provides relief for Eddie Weekley and Charlotte Williams, individually and as co-personal representatives of the Estate of Franklin Weekley, their deceased son. Compensates them for the disappearance and death of their son while he was in the care of the Marianna Sunland Center, currently operated by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Compensates them for injuries and damages sustained as result of the negligence of the Department of Children and Family Services, etc. CLAIM WITH APPROPRIATION:

Full Text:
WHEREAS, on December 6, 2002, Franklin disappeared from the center and, following a search of the premises by employees of the center, was deemed by the center to have run away and the case was closed, and WHEREAS, on October 28, 2004, a demolition crew found the skeletal remains of Franklin in the basement of a building adjacent to the premises of the Marianna Sunland Center where Franklin had resided, and WHEREAS, legal action was filed on behalf of Franklin s parents against the Department of Children and Family Services and its employees or agents raising negligence, tort, statutory, and civil rights claims concerning the disappearance and death of their son Franklin Weekley, and WHEREAS, the parties and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which currently operates the Marianna Sunland Center, mediated and reached a settlement of all claims, and WHEREAS, the plaintiffs and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities entered into a Compromise and Settlement Agreement by which all agreed to a claim bill under which the Agency for Persons with Disabilities will pay $1 million in addition to the $300,000 paid by the agency to settle claims relating to this matter, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.  The facts stated in the preamble to this act are found and declared to be true. Section 2.  The sum of $1 million is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, as successor to the Department of Children and Family Services, to be paid for the relief of Eddie Weekley and Charlotte Williams, individually and as co-personal representatives of the Estate of Franklin Weekley, deceased. Section 3.  The Chief Financial Officer is directed to draw a warrant in favor of Eddie Weekley and Charlotte Williams, individually and as co-personal representatives of the Estate of Franklin Weekley, deceased, in the sum of $1 million upon funds of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities in the State Treasury, and to pay the same out of such funds in the State Treasury. Section 4.  The amount paid by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities pursuant to s. 768.28,Florida Statutes, and the amount awarded under this act are intended to provide the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising out of the factual situation described in this act resulting in the disappearance and death of Franklin Weekley. The total amount paid for attorney s fees, lobbying fees, costs, and other similar expenses relating to this claim may not exceed percent of the amount awarded under this act. Section 5. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.