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CNN Live At Daybreak

Another Black Eye For Florida's Child Welfare Agency

Aired August 15, 2002 - 05:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Another black eye for Florida's child welfare agency. A fired case worker is expected to be arraigned today on charges of child neglect and DUI.
Reporter Rosche Lowe (ph) of affiliate WSVN has this story now from Miami.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CINDY LEDERMAN, JUVENILE COURT JUDGE: OK, let me begin, Miss. Coney, by -- I can't tell you how sorry I am for what happened. It's inexcusable, it's unforgivable and I am very sorry.

ROSCHE LOWE, WSVN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Strong words from Judge Cindy Lederman, unforgivable, unforgivable, she says, the case, a 7 month old baby found hungry, crying in the car of a DCF employee, Merla Pranga (ph). Pranga, since fired, was found by Coral Gables police passed out in her vehicle in the middle of Biltmore Drive. Police say she was so drunk, so blasted on Bacardi rum she couldn't even stand up. All the while a baby, Latasha, in her car.

LEDERMAN: And as you know, the person who was so negligent in her duties has been, was immediately fired. And I'm so sorry. I don't want any of the children in my care to be treated this way and I apologize to you.

IRENE CONEY, CHILD'S MOTHER: It's only if I could just get caught for her, I think I would put my hands around that lady's neck, because I love my child very much and they're supposed to be doing their job. They're not doing their job at all.

LOWE: Irene Coney lost custody of the child after she missed a follow-up appointment for the baby's broken leg, the child in the care of DCF since June. Now, in light of the Pranga incident, in light of DCF's well publicized problems, Coney fighting back, fighting to get her baby back.

ROBERT LAWRENCE, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: They said it's a trial. We're going to be challenging whether you even have a basis for that.

LOWE (on camera): And that's for the mother to get custody?

LAWRENCE: I'm going to challenge whether or not they had a right to take the baby away in the first place.

LEDERMAN: It's unforgivable. This judge and the department apologize for that. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: That story from Rosche Lowe with our Miami affiliate WSVN.

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