DCF Investigating 'Four Loko' Abuse

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) said the alcoholic drink Four Loko is to blame for a new wave of child abuse claims across Central Florida. In less than three months, the drink has been tied to more than a dozen cases.

DCF spokeswoman Carrie Hoeppner talked Wednesday evening about the recent surge in Osceola County.

“What we saw an increase in, or a new trend in, was the introduction of the beverage - an alcoholic beverage called Four Loko. So at this point we've seen about a dozen cases mostly in Osceola County, ” Hoeppner said.

DCF officials told WFTV one of the problems is that parents are getting drunk while they have kids in their home. There have also been cases where parents and their children have been drinking the beverage together.

Some experts say the drink is to blame for several deaths across the country. One can of Four Loko is equal to about three cups of coffee and three cans of beer.

Recently, the FDA deemed the drink a "public health concern" and said the drinks cannot stay on the market in their current form.

The makers of the drink said they will produce only non-caffeinated versions of Four Loko going forward.