Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Scott A. Marks, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Police of Boyle Heights, California have arrested a 15-year-old boy who was captured on a surveillance video walking around naked at a preschool. Officers arrested the teenager after receiving a tip from a Boyle Heights resident who saw the video on television and was able to positively identify the suspect. The incident occurred at the Centro De Allegria Pre-school. The surveillance video shows the teenager wearing only socks and shoes and sexually arousing himself while walking around in circles for several minutes in the entry way of the facility. Before the suspect engaged in what a press release called “strange behavior of a sexual nature,” the boy entered the facility and ransacked the offices, taking items such as money and keys. After stealing the items, the suspect undressed and began to sexually arouse himself. The school reported a similar burglary incident in November 2010 with the same suspect. Because the perpetrator is a juvenile, his identify is not being released by police. However, he is currently booked for burglary and is being held without bail. For more read 15-year-old arrested after walking naked through a Boyle Heights, California preschool facility.
A man from Grand Rapids, Michigan has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a child in his home, where police say his wife ran as an unlicensed day care. Leroy George was sentenced to 12 months in Kent County Jail, five years probation, and six months of home confinement after he serves his jail sentence and will have to register as a sex offender. George pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The two other counts of the same charge were ultimately dismissed. The alleged victim is younger than 13-years-old. The child victim informed her parents about the incident, which is how police were involved and ultimately led to George’s July 2010 arrest. Investigators believe that the Georges ran the residential, unlicensed day care for at least three years. For more read 
In Michigan and other States, a party of teens and high school students is often the site of dangers, personal injuries, and, yes, even death. It was reported that Zachary Harp, a 16 year old student from Owendale- Gagetown High School was hit by a car and dragged for approximately one block. He was later airlifted by helicopter to a local hospital but died as a result of the injuries sustained at the scene. The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office reported that the boy was transported at approximately 4:00 a.m. Another person tried to step in to offer assistance to the victim but this person was also hit by the vehicle. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of the death. Due to the facts and circumstances of the incident, a criminal investigation will be conducted as well. See 
Seven children had to be evacuated from a residential day care center in Alameda, California, after a fire broke out at the center. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the flames within 30 minutes and, luckily, no one was hurt or personally injured in the fire at Marva’s Happy Town FCC. Marva Lyons, owner of the day are, said all the children were taking naps when the fire broke out. The day care center also serves as the home for Lyons, her adult daughter, and 6-year-old granddaughter. Lyons said she went upstairs after she heard a pop and immediately saw the amount of smoke. Lyons waited down the street with the children while fire fighters searched for hot spots inside the home. Also while waiting, Lyons was hurriedly flipping through her contact book to notify the parents of the children about the incident. Acting Fire Chief Mike Fisher said the fire began upstairs, and although there were not many flames there was a lot of smoke. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. For more read 
In Nebraska and other States, parents bring their children to day care centers with the hope and expectation that good care will be provided and at the end of the day the child will be healthy, happy, and ready for pick up to go home. Unfortunately, not all days spent in a day care center are so idyllic and, in some instances, a child suffers serious personal injuries and even death in a day care center. Some personal injuries and deaths are unexpected and could not be prevented even under the best of circumstances but other deaths and injuries could be prevented with better supervision, more timely medical care, and compliance with the State and local day care regulations.
The operator of a Houston, Texas residential day care who was recently charted with reckless injury to a child has fled to Nigeria. Texas authorities have asked the U.S. Marshal’s Office to intervene in an attempt to have Jessica Tata extradited back to Houston. Tata was charged after a kitchen fire broke out in her day care. Tata was not at the home when the fire occurred, leaving seven children unattended while she allegedly went grocery shopping. 22-year-old Jessica Tata, was the only adult supervising the 7 children the day of the incident. According to Texas’ child care rules, Tata should not have been caring for more than 6 children older than 18-months. She was charged in connection with the death of 3-year-old Shomari Dickerson. If convicted Tata could face up to 20 years in prison, it is still unclear if she could face additional charges. For more details on the fire please read 
If passed, a new Minnesota bill would require stricter CPR training requirements for the state’s child care centers. The bill would require training for all teachers and assistant in child care centers. The current law in Minnesota only requires one person trained in CPR to be present at the center. The bill was introduced by two Minnesota lawmakers after the tragic death of a 4-year-old girls in North Mankato. Hannah Kozitza died in June 2010 after choking on a grape at her day care facility. For more see 
Due to an increasing awareness and concern about a child safety at day care centers, Kendra’s law has been on the books in South Carolina since August 2010. A consequence of the law is that people are starting to pay more attention to what goes on into child care centers. The law seems to come at a perfect time. The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data reported more than 1700 child deaths were reported in 2007. Some day care centers in South Carolina are easing parents mind by installing new technology in the facilities. Essential Childcare has placed cameras all throughout the center allowing parents to watch their children from a secure website or mobile device. The center has made the process of pick-up and drop-off digital as well. The only people who can pick up a child must be registered in the system ahead of time. A person picking up a child at Essential Childcare will have to be registered in the system ahead of time, touch his/her finger to a machine, and then input a code to unlock the doors. The new technology developments are the result of putting safety at the forefront of child care. For more please read