Justice for Kids

10/07/2026

Justice for Kids co-founder and child injury law attorney Stacie Schmerling recently spoke with CBS12 News about a new Florida law designed to strengthen protections for children from s*xual offenses.

The law closes a loophole by making it a felony for an adult to intentionally engage in s*xual conduct while watching a child under 16, even if the child does not see or is unaware of the conduct.

“We’re very hopeful that it’s going to provide increased protection for children who are the victims of these s*x offenses,” Stacie told CBS12.

At Justice for Kids, protecting vulnerable children and holding those who harm them accountable is at the heart of our work.

Read the full story from CBS12 News: https://cbs12.com/news/local/new-law-targets-adults-who-engage-in-s*xual-conduct-while-watching-kids-florida-news-local-news-palm-beach-county-state-district

Kelley Kronenberg

09/16/2026

Children with disabilities can be especially vulnerable to abuse, particularly when they are unable to communicate what has happened or advocate for themselves. That makes vigilance, strong safeguards and accountability essential in every setting entrusted with their care.

In our latest blog, we discuss the warning signs parents and caregivers should know, the importance of oversight and reporting, and why allegations of abuse must always be taken seriously.

Every child deserves to feel safe and protected.

Read more: https://justiceforkids.com/when-trust-is-broken-protecting-children-with-disabilities-from-abuse/

09/09/2026

As children get settled into the new school year, parents and caregivers should stay alert to changes that could signal something is wrong.

Warning signs of possible abuse can include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, fear of certain caregivers or environments, tantrums when entering particular buildings or locations, regression in previously learned skills, sleepless nights, sudden wetting accidents or unusual emotional responses.

Not every change means abuse has occurred, but noticeable or unexplained changes deserve attention. Ask questions, listen carefully, document concerns and take a child’s behavior seriously.

Awareness is an important part of prevention. As the school year begins, staying engaged and observant can help protect children and ensure concerns are addressed as early as possible.

08/31/2026

Is Florida’s foster care system truly working for the children it is designed to protect?

Justice for Kids Co-Founder Stacie Schmerling spoke with Naples Daily News for an article that takes a closer look at Florida’s privatized child welfare system and the concerns surrounding accountability when children are harmed.

At Justice for Kids, we believe accountability is essential to creating a safer, stronger child welfare system.

Read the full article to learn more: https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/2026/08/18/lost-in-the-system-does-floridas-foster-care-system-work/91094888007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z11xx32p118250l004450c118250e008380v11xx32&gca-ft=43&gca-ds=sophi

08/20/2026

The Justice for Kids division of Kelley Kronenberg is proud to have 3 attorneys awarded in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Congratulations to Howard M. Talenfeld (Civil Rights Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs), Stacie J. Schmerling (Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs) and Justin Grosz (Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs).

08/14/2026

After years of advocacy, Justice for Kids co-founder Justin Grosz and partner Nicole Coniglio secured a legislative claims bill for a young girl who suffered catastrophic injuries when she was just eight weeks old after Florida child welfare authorities inexplicably returned her to her abusive parents.

Passage of a legislative claims bill in Florida is an extremely onerous process. In this video, Justin Grosz shares more about this significant outcome and the legal journey that made it possible.

After years of advocacy, Justice for Kids co-founder Justin Grosz a...

08/12/2026

"Everyone has a role in the pursuit of children's justice" - Kim Dvorchak, CEO of the National Association of Counsel for Children

The 2nd Annual Pickle for a Purpose tournament in Aspen raised an incredible $180,000 to support Florida’s Children First, the National Association of Counsel for Children and the Youth Law Center.

This year's event brought together pickleball pros, local players, sponsors, volunteers and community leaders around one shared mission: ensuring children in foster care have the support, advocacy and legal representation they need to thrive.

A huge thank you to everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, donated and helped make this year’s event such a success!

Fundraising remains open as we work toward a $200,000 goal. To learn more or donate: https://floridaschildrenfirst.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate

Pickle for a Purpose was sponsored in part by Justice for Kids, Kelley Kronenberg, Slatestone Wealth, the City of Aspen, and Aspen Pickleball, with tournament sponsor Dolman Law.

08/06/2026

At Justice for Kids, our commitment to helping children extends beyond the courtroom. Through our pro bono and public service efforts we work to support vulnerable children and families who may not otherwise have access to the legal resources they need.

We believe that access to justice shouldn't depend on a person's financial circumstances. That's why we're proud to dedicate time and resources to helping children find safety, support, and a voice during some of life's most difficult moments. Much of this work is possible through the incredible organizations that protect abused and neglected children nationwide, including Florida's Children First, Youth Law Center, National Association of Counsel for Children, and Legal Aid Society chapters.

Learn more about our public service and pro bono initiatives: https://justiceforkids.com/public-service-pro-bono/

07/27/2026

Justice for Kids Co-Founder Stacie Schmerling spoke with CBS12 about the challenges child victims often face when reporting abuse, including fear, shame and the power imbalance that exists when the alleged abuser is in a position of authority.

Every child deserves to be heard, believed and protected. If additional victims exist, we hope they know they are not alone and that coming forward can help protect others.

Read the full story: https://cbs12.com/news/local/crime-police-seek-more-possible-victims-in-case-against-ex-juvenile-detention-worker-west-palm-beach-police-department-south-florida-news-exploiting-teen-inappropriate-relationship-with-a-17-year-old-girl-lewd-or-lascivious-written-solicitation

07/22/2026

Following the arrest of a St. Cloud foster parent facing child s*x abuse charges, Justice for Kids Co-Founder Justin Grosz spoke with News6 about the questions this case raises regarding oversight, accountability, and the systems designed to protect vulnerable children.

As Justin shared, these tragedies often reveal broader systemic failures. Every child deserves a foster care system that prioritizes safety through proper screening, oversight, and accountability.

Read the full story: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/06/24/questions-raised-about-florida-foster-care-oversight-after-st-cloud-foster-parent-arrested-on-child-s*x-abuse-charges/