Story perspectives

Florida DCF's Ties to Fraudulent Hospital Under Scrutiny After Elderly Patient's Death

4/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Florida Department of Children and Families relies on Larkin Community Hospital for elderly care despite history tied to a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme.
Aron Williams, an 84-year-old with dementia and schizophrenia, was treated there.
DCF caseworker Tania Hernandez faced allegations of steering patients to Larkin for kickbacks.
Hernandez was cleared of wrongdoing.
Williams died in December 2024 after being moved without her daughter's consent.

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Story summary

The Florida Department of Children and Families relies on Larkin Community Hospital for elderly care despite history tied to a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme.
Aron Williams, an 84-year-old with dementia and schizophrenia, was treated there.
DCF caseworker Tania Hernandez faced allegations of steering patients to Larkin for kickbacks.
Hernandez was cleared of wrongdoing.
Williams died in December 2024 after being moved without her daughter's consent.