Child Injury Lawyer Blog

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

In Texas and other States, drivers should exercise the utmost of caution when driving in or near an area of school bus stops. School buses are typically large, yellow vehicles that are easily seen. When a school bus stops, it should be obvious to all drivers in the area. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore the obvious presence of a school bus and put children in danger by reckless and careless driving. As a result thereof, children suffer serious personal injuries when they are hit by a vehicle in or near a school bus stop zone. See Texas Child Struck by Driver While Walking from School Bus.

A driver was recently arrested and charged with a hit and run collision after he hit a child walking home from school after getting off of a school bus. Ivy Pilgreen, a 1st grade student from Silsbee, Texas, suffered serious personal injuries and required care at the UMTB pediatric unit.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Automobile Accidents, Medical Treatment / Medica Bills, Damages / Compensation, and other topics. A parent or other interested person can receive a free copy of this book at The ABCs of Child Injury.

In Derry, New Hampshire and other communities, school bus drivers have a duty to drive safely and otherwise properly supervise the children on the school bus. It was reported that a school bus drive, Amy Weeden, was accused of stopping short which, in turn, caused two students to suffer personal injuries as a result of the braking. The incident was reported to police and Weeden was ultimately charged with disorderly conduct and assault. See Derry New Hampshire - School Bus Driver Stops Suddenly - Personal Injuries.

Parents rely on schools and day care centers to safely transport and otherwise supervise their children. From time to time, there can be challenges on the job for a teacher, assistant, school bus driver, and others charged with driving and / or supervising children. It is important for these adults with the fiduciary duty of caring for children to keep their calm and composure and always act in the best interests of the children. Safety first - safety always should be followed.

When a child suffers personal injuries as a result of bad acts or negligence of others, a claim and / or civil lawsuit may be pursued to enforce the rights of the injured child. The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, School Injuries, Damages / Compensation, Medical Treatment / Medical Bills, and other topics. You can receive this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A common element in many homes can cause significant risk of injury to a child - the open window. Every year - over 5000 emergency room visits are reported that were necessitated when a child fell out of a window of a building. The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio collected research and reported on the dangers of falls out of windows and resulting personal injuries to children. The danger can be easily removed by having window guards installed in the home, school, day care center, and other location frequented by children. It is also vital that adult supervision is provided in these settings. See Falls from Windows Cause Injuries to Children.

Child safety experts also recommend that homeowners, schools, and day care centers remove furniture away from window areas to prevent the wandering or curious child from using the furniture to gain access to the window sill area.

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

In Monroe County (North Greece) New York, a child injury was reported at the YMCA located on Long Pond Road. Fire fighters / paramedics with Monroe County EMS responded to the YMCA and reported that a child was in a crawl tube with a neck injury. The story was posted on the site Monroe County Fire Wire which is a website owned and managed by Scott Ellman who is a firefighter with the Brighton Fire District. The website provides good public service information to residents served by hard working men and women who work as firefighters and paramedics in the area. See Child Injury Reported at New York YMCA.

When a child suffers a personal injury at a YMCA and / or a day care center, an investigation will typically be conducted by the facility and in some instances by local law enforcement, fire rescue, and / or the social welfare agency that regulates day care and child care facilities. Some incidents involving an injury to a child are unexpected and unforeseeable. Others, however, are foreseeable and more importantly preventable with better supervision and better equipment in place.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - is a good resource guide for parents seeking answers and basic information when a child suffers an injury at a school, day care center, home, or other location. The book has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, School Injuries, Damages / Compensation, and other topics. This book can be obtained by parents and other interested person for free at - Free Child Injury Book for Parents Seeking Answers to Common Questions and Issues.

By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The Louisiana DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) is the governmental agency in charge of licensing, supervising, and disciplining licensed day care centers in the State of Louisiana. For a day care center to remain in good standing and to retain its state day care license, the facility must follow the rules and regulations set forth and enforced by the Louisiana DCFS. These regulations include those related to documentation, attendance records, and staff to child ratios. Unfortunately, many day care centers violate these policies and put children under the supervision of the day care center at risks for serious personal injuries and, in some instances death. The Louisiana DCFS recently revoked the child care license of a facility due to alleged violations of the State day care regulations and rules. See Louisiana DCFS Suspends / Revokes Day Care License of Children of the Future.

When a child suffers an injury as a result of the lack of supervision, an unsafe facility, or some other cause that is the fault of a day care center employee or administrator, a parent is often times faced with many challenges and questions. The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Medical Bills / Medical Treatment, School Injuries, Day Care Center Injuries, Damages / Compensation, and other topics. A parent or other interested family member can obtain a copy of this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.

By George Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Whitehaven, Tennessee, a family and community are mourning the death of a 6 year old boy - Anthony Scott. It was reported that Anthony was hit and killed by a day care center van with Pee Wee Wisdom Child Care Center. The Tennessee Department of Human Resources is the governmental agency that licenses and regulations day care centers in the State of Tennessee. A full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause and preventability of this tragic day care center transportation pedestrian accident. See State of Tennessee Department of Human Resources to Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Accident - Death of Anthony Scott.

When a child is injured as a result of the negligence or inattention of a child care provider, a school, or other entity, parents are faced with a number of questions regarding legal rights, insurance, and compensation. The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, Automobile Accidents, Damages / Compensation, and Medical Bills / Medical Treatment. The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the Apple iBookstore. It is also available to parents and other interested persons at Free Book for Parents Dealing with a Child Injury.

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

In Wisconsin and other States, school children often times attend field trips organized by the school. In most instances, the field trip is well run and organized. School officials, teachers, and volunteers are put in place to make sure that the children are properly supervised during the field trip. It is vital that children are supervised during transportation and at the field trip site location. A news story was reported about an incident that took place on a field trip in Wayne, Wisconsin. It was reported that a mother attending the field trip was found in the bathroom unconscious and surrounded by drug paraphernalia. A criminal background check was previously completed the the Kewaskum School District and did not identify any prior criminal activity by this parent. It was reported that this was an isolated incident. If a parent or volunteer has not prior criminal record, there does not appear to be any prior notice to the school about the potential problems that could be created by a parent like this supervising the children. Fortunately, no children were injured or hurt due to any issues with supervision but the potential is there anytime that a parent, volunteer, or teacher is impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol. See Parent Chaperones on Field Trips - Wayne, Wisconsin.

Continue reading "Who is Supervising or Chaperoning Kids on School Field Trips? Mother Passes Out on Wisconsin Field Trip - Drugs Found" »

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In many homes, day care centers, school, and other locations, there is a hidden danger that many parents and child care providers are not aware about. Button batteries are the size and shape of a small coin. Button batteries power many small toys and electronic devices. In the hands of a child, a button battery is seen as a toy and often times is ingested. The swallowing of a button battery can cause significant health risks and hazards to a child. There is a question and answer quiz posted online that will test your knowledge of the hazards of button batteries. Take the quiz to see how you so. How much do you know about the dangers of button batteries? What should you know about the dangers of button batteries? See Test Your Knowledge - How Much Do You Know About Button Battery Safety?

By Kevin Leach, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Bedford County, Virginia and other cities / towns, children reply on school bus and public transportation. Many special needs children rely on school bus transportation to travel to and from school. Most bus drivers and aides are quite attentive to the children. Unfortunately, some drivers and aides are not prepared to work with children. Some school / transportation employees lack the training, patience, and / or common sense to work with children especially special needs children. In Bedford County Virginia, a lawsuit was filed seeking damages associated with the battery of a 12 year old autistic study by Bedford County School employees. The incident was captured on videotape. See Bedford County Bus Beating Caught on Video Camera - Lawsuit Filed Against County.

Unfortunately, thousands of children are injured on school buses every year. In some instances, the bus driver or the attendant assault the children on the bus. In other instances, another student is the aggressor and attacks or bullies a student on the bus. Getting to and from school in a safe manner is an important beginning or end to the school day. If a child goes to or leaves from school in fear or with personal injuries, that is a problem - a big problem - that should be addressed by the school, administration, and the bus company.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injuries - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on School Injuries, Day Care Injuries, Damages / Compensation, Medical Bills / Medical Treatment, and other topics. It is important for parents to know the legal rights of an injured child when there is an injury sustained on a school bus, at a school, at a day care center, or other location.

By Ryan E. Alekman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Massachusetts and other States, there is a problem and danger to children enrolled in day care centers. The problem lies with the simple but potentially deadly mistake of leaving a child in a hot vehicle. When a child is left unattended in a vehicle without air conditioning or other proper ventilation, the temperature in the vehicle can reach heights that affect the health and well being of a child. Even the passage of a few minutes can result in serious personal injuries and, in some instances, the death of a child. Often times, action is only taken after the tragic death of a child left unattended in a school or day care center vehicle to change or strengthen laws and regulations. A simple checklist and due diligence by the staff of a school or day care center can and does prevent tragic personal injuries and deaths from taking place. See Massachusetts Panel Considering Measures to Prevent Day Care Center Tragedies from Taking Place in the Future.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, School Injuries, Damages / Compensation, Medical Bills and Medical Treatment, and other topics. You can get this book for free at Free Child Injury Resource Book for Parents.

By David M. Baum, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Hazing is an unfortunate act that still continues to take place in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and yes, even colleges and universities. In Quincy, Illinois, a hazing incident reportedly took place at Flinn Stadium by some Junior High / Middle School Students. The Quincy Report reported that the hazing incident involved student athletes who were the same gender and same age. Often times, students believe that an act is acceptable if it is a rite of passage. Hazing in any form should not be tolerated by school systems or law enforcement. Just because something has taken place in the past does not in any way give it legitimacy. Hazing is a crime - plain and simple. Of course, with any criminal prosecution, the case must be proven by prosecutors beyond a reasonable doubt and the intent of the criminal Defendant does play a role in the prosecution and defense of the case. The criminal Defendants are entitled to the services of a criminal defense attorney or the services of the local Public Defender's office. See Quincy Junior High Students Charged with Hazing in Illinois.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The school year brings with it a need for parents, children, and drivers to exercise good caution and driving for the safety and well being of school aged children. The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and other child safety advocates urge parents and drivers to keep kids safe when they walk to school or are at bus stops. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over 25,000 children are injured every year as pedestrians. The injuries range from minor personal injuries to traumatic brain injuries to death. Here are some safety tips for children, parents, day care center providers, schools, and others:

1. Prior to traveling the route as a pedestrian or bicyclists, parents should first make sure that the child is familiar with the route;

2. Parents should walk or ride the route themselves to make sure that it is safe and that the parents are familiar with any potential hazards along the way;

3. Parents should take the time to talk to the child about safety while walking or riding a bicycle to school;

4. When possible, routes should be selected based on safety, traffic, and the presence of crossing guards, crosswalks, and traffic signals; and

5. Whenever available, sidewalks should be utilized.

For drivers, it is important for all drivers to slow down in school zones, playground zones, residential areas, and any other place or location where children walk or ride their bicycles, skateboards, and scooters. Drivers should do their best to eliminate or reduce driver distraction and keep their mind and eyes on the task at hand - driving safely on roadways, near schools, and near bus stops.

For more information on this topic, see Parents and Drivers Must Do Their Part to Make Safety a Priority for Children Walking or Riding Bicycles to School.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The Pool Safety Campaign emphasizes the importance of installing barriers around outdoor swimming pools. By doing so, parents are limiting pool access to adults only. This is the best way to keep children safe. A successful pool barrier prevents a child from getting over, under or through to gain access to the pool or spa. Successful barriers include fences, walls, and gates.

A fence or other type of barrier should be at least four feet high or taller. There should be no footholds or handholds that could help a child climb over it. Vertical fence slats should be less than four inches apart to prevent children from squeezing through. If the fence is chain link, no part of the diamond-shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches. Finally, the maximum clearance at the bottom of the barrier should not exceed four inches above grade.

The steps or ladder into an aboveground pool pool should be secured, locked or removed to prevent access. If this cannot be done, then a barrier such as a fence should surround the steps or ladder.

Fence gates should open out from the pool and should be self-closing and self-latching. The gate should be well maintained to close and latch easily. The latch should be out of a child’s reach. The release mechanism for the gate should be at least three inches below the top of the gate on the side facing the pool. The gate should have no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch release mechanism. This prevents a young child from reaching through the gate and releasing the latch.

Parents should follow these safety suggestions to ensure the prevention of poolside accidents with their children. It only takes a split second for the unimaginable to become a reality. By simply blocking the entrances to family pools with barriers, parents may ultimately be saving a life.

For more information, see The Pool Safely educational video on pool and spa fencing and gates.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Assistant Principal, Anthony Alvarez, 40, of Arvada High School, located in Arvada, Colorado, faces charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. It was reported that his wife caught Alvarez having an affair with a student and forced him to turn himself in.

Alvarez allegedly met the young girl when she was in 7th grade, and he was a teacher at Everitt Middle School in Wheat Ridge. Alverez said the young girl came onto him.
He claims this was a first time encounter and has never had sex with anyone under the age of 18 before.

When interviewed, the young girl said she and Alverez had been seeing each other for the past six to eight months. The young girl said he was inappropriate numerous times at school—grabbing her chest, butt, and showing off his erection. According to the girl, Alverez gave her a ride home one day, drove into the Landmark movie theatre parking lot, and made her rub his nipples, touch herself, and rub and lick his private area. The young girl claims she was scared, left when it was over, and called her parents.

Alvarez has been an assistant principal at Arvada High School since 2008. He has been with the Jeffco Public Schools District since 2000. The school district has placed him on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The school district sent a letter to all parents explaining Alverez’s charges as required by the Colorado Department of Education.

Mr. Alvarez will be entitled to representation from a Colorado criminal defense attorney or the public defender's office as to these criminal charges. The criminal case will be resolved either by trial, a plea agreement, or a dismissal depending on facts of the case and the strength of the evidence on the case.

Police have seized Alvarez's computer and cell phone as part of the investigation.
At his hearing, bond was set at $5,000. If he makes bond, Alvarez will not be allowed to use the Internet or a computer, will not be allowed to contact the victim, and will not be allowed to contact anyone under the age of 18.

Unfortunately, teacher-student sexual relations occur far too frequently. Parents should keep a close eye on their children by continuously asking questions and being involved in their lives. Hopefully, by simply being aware, a parent’s intuition can reveal a secret relationship. Parents should also try to educate their children on the importance of telling a parent or other authority figure if a teacher or adult is inappropriate.

School members and employees should observe the actions of all teachers very closely. Teachers and faculty members should keep in mind that this is an everyday occurrence, and they should look for any signs alluding to a student-teacher relationship.

For more information, see Wife Discovers Asst. Principal's Affair With Student

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

There are many factors that parents should consider when sending their children to a day care center. A website is located at www.txchildcaresearch.org. The website provides parents with valuable information regarding Texas day care centers and child care centers. It has information on day care centers located in cities and towns in the State of Texas. By typing in a city’s zip code or the center’s name, anyone can find the information they need about the particular day care center they are researching. Once on the site, a person can research inspections performed at any center and if the center was given any citations. Reports done by the inspectors are also available.
In addition to researching the center, Texas Chid Protective Services recommends touring the facility before choosing which day care to send your child. CPS also says that babysitters may have to be licensed depending on how many children are being cared for and if the child is related to the sitter or not.

Because of the economy and the family dynamic, many parents have no other choice but to engage the services of a day care center or child care center. While government regulations and inspections can help weed out dangerous or non-compliant day care centers, parents should always be diligent in pre-screening the day care center on their own and then continue their due diligence on a frequent basis while the child is enrolled in the day care center. A parent should try to visit the day care center at different times of the day and get to know each person providing care to the child in the Texas day care center.

For more information, see “CPS: Don’t Be In the Dark.”

By Sara Powell, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Quest Alliance, a day care center for special needs children located in Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with negligence for the second time after 6-year-old Tanner was left in a hot van, in the middle of the day, for more than an hour.

In 2007, Quest Alliance was charged with negligence after Jason Allan, who was an autistic 8-year-old, wandered away from the facility and was later found dead in a nearby canal. Allan had drowned.

The incident involving Tanner is now the second incident of negligence from this day care center. Luckily, Tanner was rushed to the hospital after his mother, Tracy Roberts arrived at the day care center and found her boy strapped and locked in the car. At the hospital, Tanner was pumped with fluids and later sent home.

It is unfathomable that this negligence not only happened once, but also happened twice. Although Quest Alliance took immediate action after the 2007 incident by devising a corrective plan to attempt to avoid future incidents from taking place. Clearly, something went wrong again. Employees working at day care centers especially need to be more aware of their surroundings and the children under their care, supervision, and guidance. There is no excuse for children wandering off, or children being locked in day care vans. Parents need to make sure that the day care centers they leave their children with are well equipped with precautionary measures, rules, and protocols.

For more information on this incident, see “Arizona Day Care Under Investigation After Boy Left in Sweltering Van.”

By Sctott Zahler & David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Angeles Westmorland, a teacher at a day care teacher in Paulding County, Georgia, was charged with battery after she allegedly bruised and scratched a 5-year-old boy all over his body.

Westmorland was released on a $1,000 bond, and no longer works at the Georgia day care center. Investigators are now looking for more victims. According to Sgt. Brandon Gurley from the Paulding County Sheriff's Department, the Crimes Against Children Unit has been contacted for similar cases. Bright from the Start, which gives day care centers in Georgia a license to operate, is now investigating as well.

The boy’s mother, April Nations, said that this was only her son’s third day at the center. She is convinced there must be other victims considering this happened so soon to his arrival. Nations, the boy’s mother, said that Westmorland told her child not to tell anyone what she did to him.

The question now is: how many other children were told not to tell? It is too often that day care centers abuse or neglect the children that they have a duty to supervise and protect. It is also important for day care centers to evaluate their staff on a daily basis. Staff members should be monitored on a consistent basis. Parents should also educate their children on the importance of telling someone if someone is hurting them.

For more information on this subject, see 5-year-old child abused in day care center in Paulding County, GA.

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

After two Georgia high school football players died during practices of 90-plus degree heat, authorities began to explore whether the hot weather contributed to the death of these athletes. The nation’s largest pediatrician group says that healthy children and teen athletes can play sports in hot, steamy weather, but only if precautions are taken.

In fact, new research shows that with adequate training, water intake, time-outs and emergency treatment available on the sidelines, healthy young athletes can play even in high heat and humidity — within reason. However, government data showed that 3,000 young teens were treated in the emergency room for non-fatal heat illnesses from sports or exercise from 2001 to 2009. In addition, throughout the last 13 years, 29 high school football players died from heat stroke, according to the American Football Coaches Association.

Dr. Michael Bergeron, a University of South Dakota sports medicine specialist, says that any child, if overworked in even 80 degree weather, can suffer sever injuries, if not death. He recommends that people be evaluated individually to see if they can play in hot weather.

When dealing with sports and hot temperatures, teams should have emergency plans with trained personnel and treatment available and policies for avoiding heat illness. Coaches should give kids about two weeks to adapt to preseason sessions, gradually increasing intensity and duration. They should also closely monitor more vulnerable kids, including those who are overweight or have diabetes. Coaches should make sure athletes are well-hydrated before practice or games. Specifically, kids aged 9-12, should drink about half a cup to a cup of water every 20 minutes during activities. Teens should drink 5 or 6 cups an hour during activity. Furthermore, sports drinks containing electrolytes and sodium should be offered during extra strenuous activity. Finally, teams and coaches should educate players and parents about signs of heat stress, including dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches and nausea; and kids with symptoms should be sidelined and treated immediately. Athletes should also be encouraged to report if teammates seem to be struggling.

For more information about heat stroke, athletes, symptoms, and preventions, see Sports in Heat—Ok With Precautions.

By Will Brown, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

An unfortunate incident recently took place at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio). It was reported that Everette Howard, an 18 year old student, died as a result of injuries sustained by a Taser gun used by campus police. It was reported that Everette was attempting to break up a fight at the time. It is expected that a full investigation will be completed and then be summarized in a written report since a death resulted from this incident. There appeared to be several witnesses to the incident. The use of force by a police officer is permitted under certain circumstances. In particular, if the health safety and welfare of the police office and / or others are put at risks - force is often times utilized. There are particular policies and procedures in place for each police department as to the use of force including the use of Taser guns. The incident will be reviewed to determine if protocols and criteria were met with respect to the facts and circumstances of this incident.

While Taser guns are typically a less dangerous alternative to the use of a gun, there are still serious personal injuries and even deaths that result from the use of a Taser gun. Law enforcement officials should be respected and orders by the same should be followed. When force is used, it should be reasonable and necessary. Whether the force used is considered excessive will depend on the facts and circumstances of each incident.

For more information, see "Everette Howard Died Saturday At UC Campus."

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

Sexual harassment in schools is unwanted and unwelcome sexual behavior that interferes with a student’s right to receive an education. The problem is more prevalent than you might think because most students who become victims are too embarrassed or scared to report sexual harassment. Sexually harassing behaviors range from words (written or spoken) and gestures to unwanted physical contact that can cause a substantial interference with a student’s schoolwork or ability to participate in extracurricular activities. Some instances of sexual harassment may also be criminal acts such as assault, rape, and child abuse.

Sexual harassment is against the law. The federal law that prohibits sexual harassment in schools is Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits any person, on the basis of sex, to be subjected to discrimination in an educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Most states also have laws that prohibit sexual harassment in education.

Ryan Zellner, 32, a former Wisconsin social studies teacher and girl’s basketball coach was sentenced to 15 years in prison and another 18 years on probation for having sexual relations with female students. He was convicted of having inappropriate relations with 11 girls while teaching and coaching at Green Bay Southwest, West De Pere, and Kiel high schools over the past 8 years. One victim testified at Zellner's hearing, “Nearly every relationship I’ve been in has been ruined because of the walls that I put up because of him.” Manitowoc County Judge Darryl Deets said Zellner’s crime was severe and deserved a severe punishment. For more information on his sentencing, see Ryan- Zellner to be sentenced today.