Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Offender Locator is an i Phone application that allows concerned parents and others get information about the residence of sex offenders. i Phones have GPS functions that can allow an i Phone user to search databases and information by an address or by current location. The Offender Locator is a simple but effective program in providing this valuable information to parents, caregivers and others. While no system or database is perfect or free from flaws, the information can assist parents in making safety precautions and plans when there are nearby sexual predators or offenders. Parents may want to use a program like this to search for sexual offenders / predators in the child's neighborhood, near the school, near friend's homes, near playing fields, and other areas. Supervision is important regardless of the presence or absence of sexual offenders and predators; however, information and knowledge can serve important functions for parents with the goal and mission of protecting their children. You can read more about the Offender Locator program, its use by a Houston, Texas mother, and other technology developments at iPhone Applications (Apps) Help Track Sexual Offenders / Child Predators.

By John Jensen, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In North Carolina and other States, teachers are stepping well beyond their work duties and ethics by having sex with students. In Durham, North Carolina, Gina Marie Watring, age 40, was charged in April 2009 with child rape, kidnapping and felony child abduction. Bond was set and she should have ceased her contact and relationship with the 10 year old boy. Instead of staying away, Ms. Watring now stands accused of having further contact with the boy through letters, mobile phone, and text messaging. Ms. Watring formerly worked at Creekside Elementary School in Durham, North Carolina as a teacher's aide. According to police records, the 10 year old boy and teacher had sex on two occasions at her home. Ms. Watring's bond has now been raised to $2 million. If the allegations are true, people should not confuse the acts of Ms. Watring with any other child predator. It does not matter and should not matter that she is a woman committing these acts on a boy. It is a crime no matter how you look at it. You can read more about this story in Bond Raised in Case Involving North Carolina Elementary School Teacher Accused of Raping a 10 Year Old Boy.

By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A New York mother is facing criminal charges for stupid and immature acts of posting information regarding her daughter's rival on Craigslist. It should be noted that the rival is only 9 years old. The mother (Margery Tannenbaum) of Hauppauge, New York posted an ad on Craigslist with the 9 year old girl's phone number stating "I need a little affection." The ad did not list the age of the girl or many details. Nevertheless, the ad resulted in over 20 telephone calls to the home. Some callers were embarrassed that they were calling the home of a 9 year old girl. Ms. Tannebaum put a child and family at danger from her posting and should be subject to some of punishment and fines for her acts. You can read about this story at Long Island Mother Faces Criminal Charges for Craigslist Ad Targeting a 9 Year Old Girl.

By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A Bleckley County (Georgia) corrections officer was arrested in June, 2009 for distributing child pornography. A Cobb County, Georgia police detective posed as a 13 year old girl in an undercover operation. The corrections officer, Jason Shane Price, sent the undercover detective sexually explicit messages and images as well as videos of child sexual abuse.

Authorities are requesting information from the public if they have been in contact with anyone using the email address suthyrngent07@yahoo.com or boiledpenuts2001@yahoo.com. Individuals who have been in contact with these email addresses should report their contacts to the Crimes Against Children’s Unit at 770-801-3470.

By Anthony Ferguson, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Maine and other states, child predators and sexual offenders are exploiting and abusing children every day. In some instances, it is the parent who is exploiting or molesting the child. In Mars Hill, Maine, Julie Carr, age 30, is the mother of four children. British investigators tracked her down to her Maine home after she was webcasting a sexual assault of her young child. Really, what was this lady thinking? While she will be entitled to a public defender if she cannot afford an attorney, there is an electronic trail of sorts and video of these heinous acts. Authorities removed all four children from her home. You can read more about this story at Maine Mom Nabbed in International Child Pornography Sting.

By Joseph R. Hillebrand Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Social networking websites like My Space and Facebook are seen as a tool and a toy. Others see these sites as weapons as well when people go online to bully children, defraud children, and / or to otherwise harm children. In Missouri, Lori Drew was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization. Ms. Drew went on My Space and posed as a teenage boy who was supposedly interested in a girl named - Megan Meier. Ms. Drew went online to find out information and to ultimately humiliate and cause mental pain and suffering to a vulnerable 13 year old girl who eventually committed suicide. While Ms. Drew was not convicted of crimes that caused the death of this child, Ms. Drew's actions are still criminal and she has been convicted. It is a shame that a mother got involved in the manner that she did and caused such heartache for Megan Meier. This case made national headlines as a cyber bullying case. As you can see, anybody is capable of being a cyper bully even a mother that lives down the street. Parents should spend their time supervising children and teaching them good habits and manners. Instead of parenting her child, Ms. Drew inserted herself into this situation which had a tragic ending. You can read more about this story at >Missouri Prosecutors Seek Prison Time for Mom Convicted in My Space Hoax.

By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The website Craigslist.com in Atlanta is under investigation by law enforcement agencies for its use as a child prostitution site. A non-profit child advocacy organization claims that in February, 2009, 176 girls were advertised on Craigslist in Atlanta, Georgia. The FBI has filed charges against two individuals for taking nude photographs of a 17 year old girl and then uploading them onto Craigslist. According to the FBI charges, the two individuals who were charged worked for two days as a prostitute, providing her earnings to the two individuals who have since been charged.

Craigslist reached an agreement with the attorneys general of more than 40 states, including Georgia, in November, 2008. Under this agreement, Craiglist requires posters of erotic services to pay a fee and give a valid credit card. While this agreement had an initial impact on the number of erotic postings, the number of erotic postings of children has since risen again. To read more about this story see Problems with Craigslist Pornography and Child Prostitution.

By Thomas J. Duff, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Iowa and other states, a sex offender database has been established to keep track of sex offenders, child predators, and others who have been convicted of crimes that pose a risk too others and especially children. Iowa requires registration for all individuals who have been convicted or adjudicated of a criminal offense against a minor, a crime of sexual exploitation, or a sexually violent crime on or after July 1, 1995. The registry allows citizens and residents in Iowa to access this important information and take necessary precautions that parents and others deem fit to protect themselves and their children.

You can look up particular sex offenders, search for registered sex offenders near an address, and access other important information at the Official Website for the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin is program put in place by the Children's Service Society of Wisconsin. Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin provides training and public awareness about child support. It also to helps build community resources and carry out advocacy activities to promote child abuse prevention efforts throughout the State of Wisconsin.

It would be wonderful to rid Wisconsin and other States of all child abuse. It would be nice but it is not realistic to believe that child abuse and neglect can be eradicated.
However, child abuse can be reduced or prevented to some extent with the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin, other organizations, and dedicated individuals including parents, doctors, social workers and other.

At the Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin website, you can read more information on Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect, What is Child Abuse?, Web Resources and More.

If your child has suffered personal injuries or death as a result of child abuse and neglect, legal representation through a Child Injury Lawyer / Attorney may help you get answers and pursue a civil case against the responsible persons and / or organizations responsible for the abuse.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

My Space and other social networking web sites can be quite dangerous. Predators like Joshua David Threlkeld use the technology of My Space and the internet to lure teens for nude photographs and sex. Mr. Threlkeld created a profile online as Sarah - a 14 year girl named "Sarah". "Sarah" gained the trust of other teen girls and told them that a photographer could meet them to take modeling photographs. Many teen girls were interested, posed nude, and had sex with Mr. Threlkeld. Fortunately, a concerned parent stepped forward to report the situation to police. An investigation was initiated and Mr. Threlkeld was identified and arrested. It appears that there is a pile of evidence against Mr. Threlkeld. His computer and other evidence was obtained through a search warrant of his home.

In various counties / cities in California including Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Riverside, at least 10 teen victims have been identified. Investigators suspect that there may be up to 100 victims of Mr. Threlkeld.

Parents and teens alike should take notice of stories like this because there are thousands upon thousands of predators like Joshua David Threlkeld out there. You can read more about this story at My Space Sexual Predator May Have Assaulted / Molested 100 Victims.

By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Clackamas County, Oregon deputies arrested Justin B. Blackledge, age 31, for compelling a teen into prostitution, unlawful display of a child in a sex act and several counts of encouraging child sex abuse. Investigators report that Blackledge had a sexual relationship with the teenager in 2007 - 2008. During this time period, Blackledge posted explicit photographs of the teen on a website with the teen's contact information and a list of her sexual services. There appears to be a good bit of evidence on the internet and elsewhere on Mr. Blackledge. His bail was set at $250,000. It is a shame that teens are exploited in this manner.

You can read more about this story at Oregon Man Arrested for Pimping Out a Teen on the Internet.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Sadly, it is difficult to know who is trustworthy and who is not when it comes to bad acts. In California, a former police officer and radio show host was arrested on charges of child pornography and production of child pornography. The facts of this story unraveled like a television movie. Aaron Aldridge, age 42, was a radio personality on WNTK in New London, New Hampshire. A family member became concerned over his disappearance along with the disappearance of his 19 year old daughter. Police were contacted and searched his belongings including a computer. Investigators found pornographic images on the computer. Some of the images / videos appeared to be from Aldridge's home.

The daughter was eventually found in Orlando / Walt Disney World Florida area. Aldridge was eventually tracked through a coordination of several law enforcement agencies and then arrested in San Bernadino County, California.

Of course, Aldridge is entitled to a legal defense but his innocence can be questioned by his efforts to flee the jurisdiction as a fugitive on the run.

You can read more about this story at Radio Host and Former Police Officer from New Hampshire Arrested in California.

By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A Glynn County Georgia mane was recently charged with crimes of pornography and child exploitation. Harrell Hall, age 56, used his computer to make plans to meet a 14 year old according to Captain Marissa TIndale of the Glynn County Police Department. The most disturbing part of the story is that Mr. Hall is a computer technician. This is frightening in that Mr. Hall has a good bit of knowledge of computer and the internet which he has chosen to put to use by luring teenagers for meetings. While Mr. Hall communicated with what appeared to be a 14 year old girl, it is not clear if the "14 year old" was really an undercover agent. It is the intent of the criminal defendant that counts in cases of this nature. If Mr. Hall believed that he was communicating with a 14 year old, he was up to no good and is certainly a danger to other teens who may unknowingly be in danger from such predators.

This investigation was completed by Glynn County Police Department detectives as part of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The evidence in these cases lacks a "paper trail" but certainly has a computer or internet trail that can be quite overwhelming and convincing.

You can read more about this story at Georgia Man Arrested for Child Pornography and Child Exploitation.

By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Internet chat rooms serve as playgrounds for child predators looking to take advantage of children. In many instances, a child predator is able to lure the child not only out of the home but out of the child's home state. William Joe Mitchell recently appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to the charge of the interstate transportation of a minor for sex. Mr. Mitchell met a 15 year old girl in a chat room online and knowingly transported a child that he knew was underaged from Bartow (Polk County) Florida to Anadulsia, Alabama. These acts were in violation of Title 18, United States Code 2423 (a) which makes it a crime to transport a child under the age of 18 with the intent of having sex. Mr. Mitchell also violated Alabama law which makes it a crime for a person over the age of 16 to have sex with a child under the age of 16 when there is more than a 2 year age difference between the defendant and the child. Mr. Mitchell was 46 years old at the time of the crime. For his crimes, Mr. Mitchell faces a prison term of at least 10 years.

The investigation, arrest, and prosecution of William Joe Mitchell were pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood. This program helps coordinate efforts to locate and apprehend child sexual predators between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

You can read more about this story at Florida Man Admits to Crime of Interstate Transportation of a Minor for Sex - Faces Prison Term of 10 Years or Longer.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Bensalem, New Jersey police report that John Lackner, a 44 year old dentist, communicated with an uncover officer who posed as a 14 year old girl. Lackner's screen name was "Amorous Stallion" and according to police, he was up to no good. On March 24, 2009, Lackner arranged to meet with the "14 year old girl" for sex. The plan was to meet at a Bensalem, New Jersey video rental store and then have dinner followed by sex. Lackner planned the meeting and encounter very carefully from sending a video of himself to the "14 year old girl" to sending her money so she could buy a mobile phone. Once the undercover agent received the phone, conversations were recorded between the undercover agent and Lackner.

Lackner, who lives with his wife and two children, faces serious criminal charges that can result in the suspension of his dental license and a prison term.

You can read more about this story at New Jersey Dentist Arrested After Trying to Arrange Sex with an Undercover Agent Posing as a 14 Year Old Girl.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Web Cams (Cameras) are quite popular. In fact, most Apple desktop computers and laptops have them built in. More and more, PC computers have built in web cams as well. You can use Web Cams to take photos and to have video chats with friends. Unfortunately, some technology savvy child predators and sex offenders have figured out a way to take over a Web Cam and activate the camera without the knowledge of the person owning or using the computer. The misuse of this technology results in illegal surveillance of children and adults alike. You can read more about this problem and the dangers of creeps lurking out there on the Internet to you and your children at Computer Hacker Spies on Teenage Girl with her own Web Cam.

By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin - Gary Becker - was arrested on five felony counts for his internet chats and arranging for a meeting with a 14 year old to have sex with the 14 year old. In actuality, the 14 year old online was an undercover agent with the Wisconsin State Division of Criminal Investigation. Mayor Becker previously had taken his computer to a city employee for have some work done on it. The technician found child pornography on the Mayor's computer. Thereafter, the State Division of Criminal Investigation had undercover agents engage in chats with the Mayor. Mayor Becker had engaged in these chats before.

Child predators should be removed from office as Mayor. Furthermore, the City of Racine deserves to have somebody smarter in office. The Mayor's intelligence and judgment can both be called into question as well. Let's see - he brought his computer into a city office with child pornography on it. Then, Mayor Becker, who is the Mayor of a Wisconsin City, arranges for a meeting with a 14 year old girl for sex. This married father of two lacks any judgment to run a City that affects the lives of many other people.

You can read more about the criminal investigation and arrest of Mayor Gary Becker at Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Charged with Five Felony Counts - Arrested at Food Court.

Soon after the incident and the arrest, Mayor Gary Becker resigned as Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin. You can read more about his decision to resign at Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin Resigns After Sex Sting Arrest at Mall.

By Benjamin A. Klopman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Maryland, Steven Kruger, age 63, pled guilty to distributing child poronography. Mr. Kruger thought he was sending text / e mails to a 13 year old girl. In reality, he was communicating with an undercover police officer. A meeting was arranged with the "13 year old" undercover police officer and Mr. Kruger was arrested. Kruger will be sentenced in March 2009 and faces up to 20 years in prison for his actions. The Maryland United States Attorney's Office was involved in this investigation. After the arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant for Kruger's computer where investigators found e mails, photos, and other evidence of documenting chid sexual abuse. You can read more about this story at the Baltimore Sun - Windsor Mill Maryland Man Admits to Sending Child Poronography.

By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Anthony Stanci, age 18, has been arrested for blackmailing teenage boys for sex and having sex with minors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to news reports, Stanci set up an account on Facebook, a popular social networking website, and posted as a teenage girl. "Emily" convinced many teenage boys to send naked photographs of themselves to "Emily". Once "Emily" received the photographs, "Emily" then threatened to e mail and send the naked photographs to family and friends if the teenage victim would not have sex with Anthony Stanci. These horribly deceptive and heinous acts resulted in Stanci having sex with teenage boys as young as 15 years old. So far, 31 boys sent Stanci naked photographs of themselves have been identified. Stanci faces many felony counts on this matter. His attorney stated that Stanci may be interested in a plea agreement. Of course, Stanci is entitled to a lawyer and is innocent until proven guilty; however, there appears to be a mountain of evidence in the form of Facebook, e mails, text messages, and witness testimony against Stanci. If there is a conviction or plea deal, Stanci needs to serve a prison sentence and get registered as as sex offender / sex predator.

This story illustrates the dangers of Face Book and the deception that easily takes place on the Internet. Whether a child knows a person or not, naked photographs should not be taken or shared with others. The Facebook is just another tool for those intent on harming and defrauding others. As parents and caregivers, talk to your children about the dangers of Facebook and other networking sites. Take an interests in your child's computer activities to help them avoid the mistakes that the 31 boys made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can read more about this story at Teen Accused of Using Facebook to Blackmail Students Into Sex Acts.

By Jeremy Vishno and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General for the State of Connecticut, headed up a campaign to remove sex offers and child predators from My Space, a popular social networking site used by children, young adults, and adults. Blumenthal was shocked and dismayed by the number of offenders who got on the site and registered profiles. Blumenthal commented that the numbers were "appalling and unacceptable".

In response to pressure by Blumenthal and others, My Space removed 90,000 sex offenders from the website.

The internet and cyberspace are the new favorite hang outs for sex offenders and child predators. Parents can lock the doors and install alarms. Unfortunately, there are opportunities created through the computer. Allowing child predators and sex offenders on a website with thousands and thousands of children is like hiring a child predator to teach at an elementary school.

It is vital that My Space, Facebook, and other social networking web sites take the initiative to police its sites and remove offenders and predators from the site. Taking away opportunities from child predators and sex offenders will help reduce the number of child victims. You can read more about this story at My Space Kicks Out 90,000 Sex Offenders According to Connecticut Attorney General.