December 28, 2009

Alertness and a Quick Check Around a Car Can Save the Life of a Child

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Idaho and other States, driveways can be a very dangerous place for children. Driveway incidents or accidents causing injuries to children are so dangerous that there is a designation or name for these type of accidents. These accidents are frequently referred to as backover or frontover accidents or injuries. Safe Kids is a non profit organization with offices and affiliates all over the United States. Safe Kids and other child advocacy and safety groups urge parents and drivers to take a few moments to when entering or exiting a driveway to look out for children and to make sure that all children are cleared away from the driveway area. A good article was recently posted at the Idaho Statesman about the problem and dangers of backover and frontover driveway accidents. Read the article, pay attention, and watch out for children.

September 10, 2009

Boise, Idaho Children Removed by Sheriff's Office from Dirty Home

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Boise, Idaho, children were removed by the Sheriff's office after a search warrant revealed dirty / squalid conditions at the home. The parents (Stacey Marie Cox and Michael Cox) were living in the home with four children ranging from the age of 3 to the age of 8. Adults generally have the right to live as they please as long as the health, safety, and welfare of others including children are not affected. In this home, detectives found what was reported as "deplorable" conditions.

While economics and employment may play a role in the presentation and cleanliness of a home, being poor is not excuse for caring for children in this environment. Throw away the garbage, remove spoiled food, and focus your attention on your children.

A spokesperson for the Ada County Sheriff's Department reported that the children, in addition to living in these horrible conditions, also were the victims of physical and sexual abuse. You can read more about this story at Parents Arrested in Boise, Idaho - Home Deplorable - Children Removed.
suffered severe physical and sexual abuse, and additional charges are pending.

July 27, 2009

Idaho Babysitter Charged with Crime of Having Sex with 14 Year Old Boy

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Idaho and other states, parents entrust the safety and welfare of their children. It is the duty of a babysitter to act in the best interests of the child and make sure that the child is kept safe under the babysitter's supervision and guidance. In Post Falls, Idaho, a 28 year old woman (Summer Nelson) is charged with the crime of having sex with a 14 year old child under her care. It was reported that the woman molested the child on at least 4 occasions and expressed her love for the child to others.

Summer Nelson was a friend of the boy's mother. If the criminal allegations are true, Ms. Nelson abused her position of trust and took advantage of this child. The crime truly is no different had a 28 year old man molested a 14 year old girl. You can read more about this story at Idaho Babysitter Charged with Crime of Having Sex with 14 Year Old Boy.

May 13, 2009

Meridian, Idaho Toddler (Auston Banks) Survives Being Impaled by a Pencil While in Apartment Playground

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Meridian, Idaho, a toddler (Auston Banks) survived a potentially deadly incident that took place while he was playing in an apartment playground. Auston was walking with a pencil in his hand when he walked by some swings. Auston walked in front of a girl on a swing and her foot hit the end of the pencil which, in turn, went through Auston's mouth and out the back of his neck. Auston was rushed to a local hospital where doctors removed the pencil. Doctors reported that the pencil came very close to a critical artery. Auston survived this incident. It was quite a terrifying day for Auston and his family.

As you can see from this story, common household and every day objects can turn out to be very harmful to toddlers and small children. You can read more about this story at Toddler Survives Freak Incident Accident with Pencil on Playground in Idaho.

May 11, 2009

United States Department of Health and Human Resources - Resource for Day Care / Child Care Regulations for All 50 States

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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The United States Department of Health and Human Resources has a website that has a great reference tool for parents and caregivers with children in day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers / child care centers through a state specific administrative code and / or policy manual. Go to State Administrative Rules and Policy Manuals for Child Care. Another good resource is located at the website for the National Resource Center for
Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
. Parents should use these and other resources to educate themselves on the various state specific rules and regulations for day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers slightly differently. As such, parents should be informed on the regulations that apply to their children's day care center. Is the facility following the law? Are the state specific requirements for staffing being met? Are records being kept according to the state law? What information as a parent and caregiver am I entitled to regarding incidents and accidents? What disciplinary measures are allowed? What disciplinary actions are prohibited? These and many other issues are addressed in these day care rules and regulations. In addition, parents concerned about the care being received in a day care center / child care center can also consult with a child injury attorney / lawyer to find out if there is a viable case or claim to be pursued on behalf of a child who has been injured in a day care center as a result of day care negligence, abuse, or neglect.