A letter has been sent to Governor DeSantis and state legislative leaders, calling for reforms to Florida's foster care system with regard to combatting sex trafficking.

The letter was written by Palm Beach County Democrat Congresswoman Lois Frankel and signed by several of her fellow Democrat representatives.

“I’m sure there are many good group homes, but what happens in Florida is taking advantage of a federal law that would give them more money for foster children. They literally started to pile children into these group homes. These are children who basically have either been abused or neglected by their parents or guardians, so they have no one really to love and care for them.”

Frankel tells CBS 12 News that the state needs to do a better job in tackling the high number of kids in state-run group homes.

The letter also cites a recent report in the Sun Sentinel that uncovers how hotels in Florida get away with thousands of violations of the 'Anti-Trafficking Law', which requires employees to be trained to spot and report suspected cases.

The letter was signed by Representatives Frederica Wilson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Kathy Castor, Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto and Jared Moskowitz.

In the governor's just announced budget proposal for the next fiscal year, he wants $96 million for the state's child welfare system.

Chumley