Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Brunswick, Georgia, the family and friends of Walter J. Copeland, III (age 7) as well as the community are still in the midst of dealing with the untimely and tragic death of this child as a result of a drowning at a Brunswick Georgia apartment complex swimming pool. Further details were released about the incident. Walter and his siblings did not reside at the apartment complex but were visiting a 15 year family friend at the time of the incident. The teenager had left the pool area briefly and when she returned she found Walter on the bottom of the pool. Certainly, there was no intent or malice involved in such an incident. Autopsy results are pending. See Police: Brunswick Boy Drowned in Pool While Others Nearby.
When there is a disaster or trauma in a child’s life, there are many resources available to the children and parents intent on getting the child treatment for the physical injuries and counseling for the psychological trauma. The 
Spring and Summer weather brings out reports of drownings and near drownings in Southern States like Florida and Georgia. Tragedy took place in Glynn County when a 7 year old boy (Walter Copeland, III) died a Glynn County apartment complex. The incident took place at the Glynn Place Apartments. The boy was later pronounced dead at the Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, Georgia. Unfortunately, many apartment complex pools later lifeguards and other adult supervision to insure the safety of children. Whether it is because of funding, finances, or available staff, many pools go unmonitored and unsupervised despite the risk to children. It is well known that swimming pools are attractive nuisances to children. In other words, children often see the fun and sport of a swimming pool more than the risk and danger. Any swimming pool poses a risk of danger to a child. Yes, even the shallow end of the pool. You can read more about this story at 
Spring and Summer months in Southern States like Georgia and Florida are brutally hot. Unfortunately, children and pets are often times mistakenly left in a hot vehicle during these hot weather months. A horrible tragedy was recently reported in Kennesaw, Georgia where a five month old died after being left unattended in a hot vehicle outside of the Ivy Hall Day School. It was reported that a family member arrived at work at the Kennesaw day care center for work. The family member forgot about the infant in the vehicle who was sleeping at the time of arrival at the day care center. When the child was finally discovered in the vehicle, attempts to revive the child failed. She was later pronounced dead.
When parents drop their kids off for day care in Vermont, how can they make sure they will be safe?
Children in a local day care center located in Renton, Washington, were temporarily trapped inside due to fallen power lines. Although no one was hurt, a video showed the lines crossing a metal fence and lying on the Renton Day Care Center. The wires had arced and shortened over time, which caused them to burn through and hang lower than usual. A representative for the city reported that a U-Haul truck drove through the area at the time the wires went down and may have made contact with the wires to cause the reaction. A worker who fixed the lines said they were supposed to be 18 feet off the ground but were only 16 feet off the ground when measured. The owner said she didn’t know the lines were supposed to be higher.
There was a recent press release of an App for iPhones and Smart Phones called Phone Sheriff. It allows parents to monitor the calls, text messages, and GPS location of a child / teen who uses an iPhone or Smart Phone. The Press Release states that the product or App is “stealth” meaning that the child / teen user of the phone will not know that mom and dad are watching. See 
In Ohio and other States, parents entrust schools and day care centers to provide a safe and clean learning environment for their children. In addition, parents expect that the teachers and staff members employed by the school and the day care center are alert, healthy, and doing their best to supervise and educate the children. Unfortunately, some teachers and day care workers shirk these responsibilities and engage in other activities at school that take away from their effectiveness and attentiveness. This can include excessive texting, Facebooking, computer and video games, taking on the cell phone, and, yes the use of drugs and alcohol. In Westlake, Ohio, it was reported that a substitute teacher was arrested for allegedly drinking at Westlake High School. The incident took place on April 8, 2011 where police were dispatched to the school. The teacher, Anne M. Keller, was cited for Disorderly Conduct Intoxication and having an Open Alcohol Container at the school. She later pled guilty to both of these charges. The physical evidence observed by the police was a Grey Goose Vodka botte. See