By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Philip Blake Putnam, 22, was charged with aggravated child abuse after his son was taken to the hospital with a broken arm. While the baby is still in the hospital and is showing signs of improvement, Putnam remains in jail. According the Lawrenceburg Police Chief, after arresting Putnam, he discovered that the man was wanted under several active arrest warrants for drug-related charges in another county.
By David M. Baum, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Dolton, Illinois a special needs child was assaulted by a police officer, at a school. The police officer’s actions and abuse were captured on videotape. Apparently the police officer became upset when the special needs child, Marshawn Pitts,15, had his shirt untucked. The fact that this child’s shirt was untucked became the reason for this inexcusable assault on a brain damaged child is beyond comprehension.
By Scott A. Marks, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Hawthorne, California, a jury recently convicted an owner of a day care center of lewd acts on two young girls (ages 4 and 6). According to CBS News, Tito Ruiz was found guilty of the crimes. The criminal investigation and trial revealed allegations by two girls who reported that they were touched by Mr. Ruiz while at the day care center. All of the details of the trial were not reported. In cases of this nature, it would be important to know the following:
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
An Arlington, Texas mother has been criminally charged for the death of her 1 year old son. Darrell “Tre” Singleton, III, had a body temperature of 107 degrees when he was evaluated and pronounced dead at Arlington Memorial Hospital. Police investigators and local authorities believe that the death was a direct result of the mother leaving Darrell “Tre” in a vehicle for 8 hours while the mother worked at a local hospital. The mother (Keashia Dyon Matthews) turned herself into local authorities for the charges and later was released on bond. Ms. Matthews had a history of parenting issues with her children.
By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Wisconsin and other States, parents, as well as children, have a right to pray and to practice religious beliefs of a particular religion. The State and Federal government generally should allow people to pray and pay respect to a particular religion or practice without interference. Yes, we have the United States Constitution which has granted people the freedom of religion; however, when a child’s health, safety, and well being were put at risks, law enforcement authorities and prosecutors have taken action. In Wisconsin, parents were prosecuted for the 2003 death of their 11 year old daughter who died without the benefit of timely medical intervention. Instead of taking their daughter to the hospital, Dale and Leilani Neumann prayed along with ohters. Their daughter, Madeline Neumann, died from complications related to undiagnosed diabetes which is typically a condition that can be managed through medication and / or dietary intake. Madeline died on the floor of the family home. 911 was called only after Madeline stopped breathing. This case garnered national attention because there are thousands of other parents who may take a similar route to the Neumanns in dealing with a life threatening but treatable condition.
By Thomas J. Duff, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Unlicensed day care providers and unlicensed in home day care centers can prove to be places of danger, injury, and even death for children. In Des Moines, Iowa, a 4 month old child was seriously injured when a grandmother went to the in home day care center to pick up her grandson (Emiliano Ramirez of Urbandale, Iowa).
By Jeremy Vishno, Attorney, and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Roman Catholic Diocese in Bridgeport, Connecticut sought to block the release of documents related to a number of sexual abuse / molestation cases previously brought against the church. The documents related to lawsuits that were settled by the church in the past. Newspapers had previously sought to obtain access / release to more than 12000 pages of documents from 23 lawsuits that were filed based on the alleged actions of six priests. The records have been sealed since the cases were settled in 2001. The release of these documents may help publicized prior bad acts of priests and may, in turn, encourage other victims to step forward. You can read more about this story at Supreme Court Denies Church Request to Block Records Release to Newspapers.
By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A Clayton County, Georgia jury found a mother guilty on October 1, 2009 of eight criminal charges, including cruelty to children and contributing to the deprivation of a minor for starving her twin infant sons. The mother and the boys’ father were high on Methadone and other prescription drugs as well as alcohol and were not able to care for the babies. Relatives of the babies intervened—except for the maternal grandmother, a former special education official, who failed to report the child abuse. The grandmother will be tried on criminal charges later this month.
By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, FOX News and other media outlets reported a very disturbing story, as follows: Issac “Andy” Baker served the citizens of Alabama for 25 years as a patrol officer between 1975 and 2000. Mr. Baker’s wife ran an in home day care center. A young girl stated that Mr. Baker sodomized her at the in home day care center. As a result of the young girl’s allegations, a grand jury recently handed down an indictment of Mr. Baker. If the allegations are true, then this case is quite distrubing. Apparently, the grand jury took the allegations seriously enough to hand down the indictment.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Forty four states have bullying laws in place that deal with the real problem of bullying schools. According to a recent article in the Gainesville (Florida) Sun Newspaper, many of the bullying laws that are in place lack solid enforcement powers and / or are not enforced by the school or school district. The implementation of bullying laws is certainly progress since these laws did not exist years ago; however, there is a real problem with the lack of enforcement of these laws or more simply stated consequences to those who commit acts of bullying in schools. Many parents, with children who have been the victims of bullying, are frustrated with the system in place in various States. Since bullying laws are relatively new and many school administrators do not known how to or when to enforce the laws, many acts of bullying continue to go unpunished.
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