TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The victims of the infamous Dozier School Boys are only asking for one thing: restitution before it's too late.
That's what the former students of the infamous Florida reform school told lawmakers they deserve at the Capitol today.
Fighting old age and weakened health, former students of the now-shuttered Dozier School for Boys called on the state to pay up.
It comes after decades of sexual and physical abuse claims at the state-run facility.
The men are members of a support group called the White House Boys, and have been fighting since at least 2016.
However, their relief bills have yet to get traction in the legislature.
Despite that, former students, like Jimmy Abigando, remain committed.
"I went through cancer last year," said Abigando. "Had surgery. I'm a cancer survivor now, so I survived a lot just to get here. I'm going to be here until I can't come anymore."
Jacksonville Rep. Tracie Davis handled the latest version of the claims relief bill.
She believes it hasn't moved this year due to priorities like teacher pay taking precedence.
Davis vows to try again next year.
In 2013, the remains of 40 boys suspected to have died from abuse were found on the school grounds.
