Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Benjamin A. Klopman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Unfortunately, bullying has been around for years and despite all the advances in Maryland and the rest of the United States – bullying continues to be a problem that can and does result in serious personal injuries, and, in some instances, death to innocent victims of malicious bullies. In Cockeysville (Baltimore County) Maryland, police reported that three juveniles have been charged with first degree assault after brutally attacking, beating, and hitting a fourth grade student / neighbor with a baseball bat. Alex Ayers, age 10, was so severely beaten that he required emergency care a local hospital. The story was reported by WBAL TV 11 and other media outlets as well. The juvenile assailants lured Alex outside to join them by inviting him to play in a football game. It turned out to be much more a game for Alex and his assailants – it turned out to be a brutal crime that should be prosecuted. You can read more about this story at Baltimore County Police Report that Three Juveniles Charged for Beating a 10 Year Old Boy with a Baseball Bat.
A nationwide sweep of child prostitution rings resulted in the arrest of 571 people in 21 cities. In Michigan, three children were rescued from one of the prostitution rings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with State and local law enforcement agencies raided the prostitution rings in an organized effort to save these children and lock up these sexual predators and offenders. Michigan law enforcement agencies participated in this sting. These agencies included the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Ann Arbor Police Department and other agencies.
Parents have a special responsibility and duty to raise their children and provide for their health, safety and welfare. Driving children around town on drugs is truly a dangerous situation. Furthermore, drug use and abuse distract from a parent’s responsibility to supervise their children. Judgment is certainly impaired from drug use. In Oregon, William and Tracy Duncan were arrested on charges of possession of meth and for child endangerment after officers found children who ranged in age from 5 to 10 years old without seat belts in the vehicle. At the time of the arrest, both parents were under the influence of methamphetamine.
A British mother was convicted of child cruelty (child abuse) for allowing her 3 year old to light a cigarette and smoke it. How do we know this happened? Well, there was a video of the child smoking recorded on a mobile telephone. Authorities were notified by a friend of the child’s smoking habits. Apparently, the child smoked on many occasions. The mother, Kelly Marie Pocock, claimed that she did not know about her son’s smoking. Ms. Pocock received a suspended sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to one count of child cruelty.
Special needs children / students need to have proper supervision and patience from teachers in Indiana and other States. In Lafayette, Indiana, a special need middle school teacher was fired by the school board for duct taping a student’s mouth shut. This truly is no way to discipline a child or make a point. It is corporal punishment – plain and simple. Pamela Dahnke, the middle school teacher, was a health and nutrition teacher. One would think that she would realize the psychological and social ramifications of such acts in Indiana.
Mothers are supposed to care and protect their children – not drown and kill them. Tragically, Leatrice Brewer, age 28, did just that. Leatrice Brewer pleaded guilty by reason of mental defect or diseased for crimes committed against her children. Instead of going to prison for life, she will be sent to a psychiatric facility – possibly for life. Psychiatrists diagnosed Brewer with a major depressive disorder when she killed her children. Supposedly, Brewer thought that her criminal acts were saving her children from the dangers of voo doo.
The Jackson County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Office arrested Arnold Clark on charges of molestation and touching a child for lustful purposes. The arrest of Mr. Clark in the Mississippi Sun Herald contained few details of the incident or allegations. Mr. Clark is entitled to an attorney and is innocent until proven guilty. What we do not know at this point in time is the evidence gathered or obtained against Mr. Clark or his criminal history.