Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Pennsylvania and other States, gun owners should take the time and effort to place handguns, shotguns, and other weapons in a secure area or lock box away from children. Many children lack the maturity and good judgment to handle a weapon without close supervision and instruction. In Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, police are investigating the shooting of a 6 year old girl by her 9 year old brother. The children were at grandma’s house at the time of the shooting. The girl was transported to Penn State – Hershey Medical Center for serious personal injuries to her arm and torso from gunshot wounds.
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz of St Landry Parish, Louisiana has good advice for parents: Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle – not even for a minute. This summer, there have been several deaths in Louisiana and throughout the United States involving children who have been left in hot cars / vans that have caused serious personal injuries and deaths. Some incidents have involved parents and some have involved schools and day care centers. Injuries of this nature (hyperthermia) are completely avoidable with better supervision and due care on the the part of the parent, caregiver, teacher, counselor, and / or bus driver.
In a bizarre twist on leaving children in cars, a 12 year old boy has been charged with felony murder and cruelty to children in the death of his five week old cousin. The baby was left in a car by the mother at a store in Cobb County, Georgia. The 12 year old boy was apparently left in the car to watch the baby. When the mother came out, the baby was not breathing. The baby was taken to the hospital but died the following day.
Tragedies and deaths often times result in changes to laws to provide safety measures for children. In Arkansas, a law recently went into effect that raises the minimum age
Nevada law requires children under 6 years old and under 60 pounds be placed in a car seat with a 5 point harness while traveling in a motor vehicle. Parents should take great care to make sure that the car seat is appropriate for the child, safely installed, and securely applied for the safety of the child. In Reno, Nevada, a 4 year old boy suffered severe head injuries following a three car accident. The boy was partially thrown or ejected from the vehicle. The boy, who was not identified by news reports, was later treated at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Spartanburg, County South Carolina special needs girl, Meah Weidner, died as a result of child abuse according to South Carolina law enforcement officials. Deputies have charged David Anthony “Tony” Tyre with homicide (child abuse). The incident and death took place on July 5, 2009. Tyre is believed to have shaken the child and dropping her on her head. Based on Meah’s special needs and disabilities, she had no ability to defend herself from the violent or harmful acts of others. There was a prior incident in which Tyre is believed to be involved with child abuse resulting in a broken arm to Meah.