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Kids suffering from mental and physical disabilities are being housed with seniors in Florida nursing homes. The findings are part of an investigation by the Department of Justice. DOJ says the kids civil rights are being denied because they often don’t have access to education and can’t socialize with their peers. In an exclusive interview with Capitol News Service Scott says he wasn’t aware of the situation until this weekend. Scott is ordering the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families to investigate immediately.

“I’ve asked agencies involved to get to the bottom of this now. We need to have swift action. I want them to visit all these homes and I want them to go visit all the parents. I also want them to reach out to the advocacy groups and make sure we are doing every thing we can to make sure these children are taken care of,” said Scott

The decision about how to care for a disabled child is the parent’s. Medicaid places some restriction on care. Scott says once investigators locate the kids, they’ll inform parents of all their options. None of the disabled children reportedly living in nursing homes are in the care of DCF.

“Of the nearly 20,000 children in the department’s care, not one is in an adult nursing home. In every situation, our first priority is always to find an appropriate, safe and secure family or home setting for any child in our care while providing for any special needs a child might have,” said Joe Follick, Communications Director for DCF.