Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Manhattan, New York, the Office of Special Narcotics arrested Akwasiba Radellant, age 36, for running a drug den out of an apartment that also served as a day care center. Ms. Radellant, of course, is entitled to representation from a private criminal defense attorney or the public defender. Ms. Radellant claims that the marijuana did not belong to her and she had no knowledge of its presence in her apartment. Prosecutors, however, believe that Ms. Radellant was involved and had knowledge of the drugs in the apartment since a digital scale was obtained as evidence. In addition, plastic bags were covering windows to the apartment as well. Ultimately, this case will result in a plea deal or a trial. The evidence and witness statements must be analyzed by each side to determine how the case will be pursued or defended.
In New York, high school students from Lewiston Porter High School were suspended for being involved in a hazing incident involving raw meat. The incident involved players from the soccer team who threw raw meat and other food items at new players on the team. The ritual also involved putting eggs and flour on the new players. The suspension were for a few days.
In New York and other states, parents have both a legal and moral duty to properly supervise and protect their children. Small children should not be left alone at home because circumstances can arise that require parental supervision and intervention. One such circumstance is a fire. When a fire happens, small children often times do not know what to do or where to go. In many instances, children left alone when a a fire strikes and then engulfs a house suffer serious personal injuries and some even die. In Rochester, New York, Nicole Allen left three of her children home alone at midnight to go get beer. Yes, this mother left in the middle of the night on a beer run. A three year old died in the blaze. Two other children (a toddler and a newborn) suffered serious burn injuries. The fire took place in 2008.
In Bronx, New York and other cities, apartment complexes and condominiums pose certain hazards for children. In particular, child suffer serious personal injuries including fractures, brain damage, and wrongful death from falls out of apartment / condominium windows. Many apartment buildings have windows that can be accessed by a toddler. It is important for parents, caregivers, and the landlord to provide for the safety needs of the child. Child proof locks and safety bars or gates can help prevent injury. Alarms can also be installed to alert a parent or caregiver that a window has been accessed or tampered with. While these safety measures and others are helpful, close parental supervision can help prevent many fall related injuries from apartment / condominium windows.