Articles Posted in Internet, E-Mail, Text Messaging

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

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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.

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By Thomas J. Duff, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

technology%20keyboard%20close%20up%20grey%20slim%20keys.jpgIn 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.

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By Jonathan Safran, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Wisconsin.jpgPrevent 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.

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By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

technology%20keyboard%20close%20up%20grey%20slim%20keys.jpgMy 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.

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By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

handcuffs%20on%20white%20background.jpgA 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.

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By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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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.

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By Jeremy Vishno and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

technology%20keyboard%20close%20up%20grey%20slim%20keys.jpgRichard 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”.

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By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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A 49 year old teacher was arrested for having sex with one of her 14 year old students. The teacher, Rosana Brown, used modern technology to lure the student to a hotel room. Brown text messaged the boy to meet her at a hotel room. The 49 year old text messages showed that she was portraying herself for a sexually active teenager. No amount of technology could disguise the real life Rosana Brown for a school teacher. The boy telephoned his mother after the sexual encounter and informed his mother that he had sex with a teacher. The mother then convinced her son to tell her where the teacher was so that the mother could confront the teacher. That must have been an interesting and uncomfortable situation. Ms. Brown’s teaching days appear to be over based on the facts as reported. It appears that her future days will involve incarceration. You can read more about this story at Arizona Teacher Lures Boy to Hotel for Sex – Arrest of Teacher Follows.

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

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Christopher Michael Nicklis, a former teacher from Harrison High School, has admitted that he gave a 15 year old student a mobile phone. After giving the girl the phone, he began sending the teenager sexually explicit messages and naked photos of himself to the student. The story unfolded when the student’s mother found the mobile phone and then reported the gift of the phone to school officials. Nicklis later resigned and stated, “I am an idiot.” Mr. Nicklis showed poor judgment and was preying on a 15 year old girl with most inappropriate and illegal acts. You can read more about this story at Cobb County Georgia Teacher Admits to Sending Naked Photos to Student.

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By Stephanie Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

Church%20Steeple.jpgChurches in Alpharetta, Georgia and other towns should be places of refuge, safety, fun, and prayer for children. Unfortunately, many churches in small and big towns alike are the sites of abuse, neglect, molestation, and sexual abuse of children who are in the very churches to be cared for. Alpharetta is a community in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Reverend Derek Gillett, pastor of Cornerstone Community Chapel in Forsyth County and a youth group leader, was arrested Friday on criminal charges of aggravated child molestation and sodomy. Other clergy members were quite surprised by the arrest. Reveren Gillett was arrested and held without bond. You can read more about this story at Pastor Accused of Molesting Two Georgia Teens.

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