State child welfare officials are investigating after an employee at one of its private foster care contractors allegedly raped a 17-year-old foster girl who had previously been the victim of child prostitution.
Officials say the girl was in the process of being reunited with her mother in March when she had to resolve an outstanding warrant in Palm Beach County to register for school. The Miami Herald reports the privately run Family Resource Center sent a 25-year-old new employee to drive her the four hours back to Monroe County.
In an interview with the state attorney's office, the girl said the driver stopped at Walmart and bought alcohol and cigarettes, which they shared. After they had sex, he allegedly dropped her off at home at 3 a.m. It's unclear what month the incident took place.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are investigating. According to a report by the Department of Children and Families, the federal agency plans to file charges.
Attorneys for the Family Resource Center declined to comment.
