Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
An Arlington, Texas mother has been criminally charged for the death of her 1 year old son. Darrell “Tre” Singleton, III, had a body temperature of 107 degrees when he was evaluated and pronounced dead at Arlington Memorial Hospital. Police investigators and local authorities believe that the death was a direct result of the mother leaving Darrell “Tre” in a vehicle for 8 hours while the mother worked at a local hospital. The mother (Keashia Dyon Matthews) turned herself into local authorities for the charges and later was released on bond. Ms. Matthews had a history of parenting issues with her children.
In Wisconsin and other States, parents, as well as children, have a right to pray and to practice religious beliefs of a particular religion. The State and Federal government generally should allow people to pray and pay respect to a particular religion or practice without interference. Yes, we have the United States Constitution which has granted people the freedom of religion; however, when a child’s health, safety, and well being were put at risks, law enforcement authorities and prosecutors have taken action. In Wisconsin, parents were prosecuted for the 2003 death of their 11 year old daughter who died without the benefit of timely medical intervention. Instead of taking their daughter to the hospital, Dale and Leilani Neumann prayed along with ohters. Their daughter, Madeline Neumann, died from complications related to undiagnosed diabetes which is typically a condition that can be managed through medication and / or dietary intake. Madeline died on the floor of the family home. 911 was called only after Madeline stopped breathing. This case garnered national attention because there are thousands of other parents who may take a similar route to the Neumanns in dealing with a life threatening but treatable condition.
In Opp, Alabama, two children were taken to the Opp (Alabama) Mizell Memorial Hospital for personal injuries that were sustained in a school bus accident. Another student was later transported to the hospital by a school staff member. The other vehicle involved in the accident crashed into the side of the bus as the bus was turning. The driver of the other vehicle had to be removed or extracted by the vehicle by a jaws of life device.
Unlicensed day care providers and unlicensed in home day care centers can prove to be places of danger, injury, and even death for children. In Des Moines, Iowa, a 4 month old child was seriously injured when a grandmother went to the in home day care center to pick up her grandson (Emiliano Ramirez of Urbandale, Iowa).
In Allentown, Pennsylvania and cities across the nation, there is a common danger to children: parked cars and traffic. When cars are parked on the side of a street, it may be difficult for a children to see oncoming traffic. In addition, drivers may not see children who walk between parked cars into a street. A 10 year old boy in Allentown, Pennsylvania was recently hit by a car as he walked between two parked cars. The boy was taken to and treated at Cedar Crest Hospital. He suffered a severe personal injury to his leg. Local police will conduct an investigation as to the cause and manner of the accident.
