Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Offender Locator is an i Phone application that allows concerned parents and others get information about the residence of sex offenders. i Phones have GPS functions that can allow an i Phone user to search databases and information by an address or by current location. The Offender Locator is a simple but effective program in providing this valuable information to parents, caregivers and others. While no system or database is perfect or free from flaws, the information can assist parents in making safety precautions and plans when there are nearby sexual predators or offenders. Parents may want to use a program like this to search for sexual offenders / predators in the child’s neighborhood, near the school, near friend’s homes, near playing fields, and other areas. Supervision is important regardless of the presence or absence of sexual offenders and predators; however, information and knowledge can serve important functions for parents with the goal and mission of protecting their children. You can read more about the Offender Locator program, its use by a Houston, Texas mother, and other technology developments at iPhone Applications (Apps) Help Track Sexual Offenders / Child Predators.
Raymond Vance Fulkerson worked as a professor at the University of Northern Colorado. He also had children at his home for voice and acting lessons. Professor Fulkerson has been accused of videotaping children while going to the bathroom at his home. Criminal charges were filed as a result of these alleged acts. A video camera was found in Fulkerson’s bathroom. At this time, the Professor is on leave pending the disposition of these allegations.
Roman Polanski is a famous and talented director who has been honored with awards. He is also a man who has been on the run from the law / authorities in California for over 30 years. Rather than serve a prison term that he faced for crimes committed in California, Roman Polanski fled to Europe. On a recent visit to a Switzerland film festival, Mr. Polanski was arrested and now faces extradition to the United States. Through the years, Mr. Polanski has benefited from his fame and skills as a movie director. These attributes are not defenses to the crime committed. Like anyone else, Mr. Polanski should be extradicted to the United States to face the punishment and criminal sentence for crimes that he has admitted to. Mr Polanski pled guilty to having sexual intercourse with a 13 year old girl. Many child advocates would refer to these acts as child rape rather than sexual intercourse. Whatever terminology is used – a crime is a crime and Mr. Polanski should be punished for these crimes. Of course, Mr. Polanski will be entitled to an attorney to represent him in this matter. You can read more about this story at 
In Columbia, South Carolina, a day care operator was recently sentenced to 20 years for the death of a child under his care. Willie Ritter, age 65, who served in the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, pleaded guilty to the crime. Mr. Ritter left a 9 month old child in a closed hot van. The child died from complications due to hyperthermia. Javon Simpson was not given the chance or opportunity to do so many things that a child or person should be able to do during a lifetime. His death was tragic and preventable.
In Maine and other States, working parents trust that the owners and staff of day care centers are trustworthy people who will protect their children during the working day. While most day care owners and employees are trustworthy, others are not. Some day care owners have been arrested for abuse and neglect. Some have even been arrested for the possession of child pornography. It is quite disturbing that a day care owner would possess such obscene materials. It makes one question what activities went on at the day care center itself. In Cumberland County, Maine, a grand jury recently returned an indictment against a day care owner on charges of possession of child pornography. Ronald Meserve, age 53, was indicated on four counts of possession of sexually explicit materials. Mr. Meserve was arrested in the Spring of 2009. Mr. Meserve co-owns Teddy Bear Day Care Center with his wife.
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