Child Injury Lawyer Blog
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.
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.
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.
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.
Churches 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