By George Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Starting December 2012, all Tennessee day care centers must have new cribs with greater safety standards. The old cribs with the drop-side railings that have been proved deadly for babies in rare instances will be no longer acceptable; this type of crib was associated with 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000.
By George Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Amber Kendrick, 12-years-old, was tragicallly killed during a hit and run horseback riding accident when a motorist struck her horse in Madison County, Tennessee. According to the Madison Country Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred in the 200 block of Diamond Cove Road. A truck was traveling northbound when it struck a horse being ridden by Kendrick and Matthew Webb. The collision caused Kendrick to be ejected from the horse. Investigators said the truck continued north and struck a second horse being ridden by 20-year-old John Thomas Gobbell.
Allegedly, the driver of the truck stopped after the crash, removed the license plate from the vehicle and fled the scene. Kendrick was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where she was sadly pronounced dead. The other riders, Webb and Gobbell sustained minor injuries, and both of the horses died after the crash.
By George R. Fusner, Jr. and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A 12-year-old drowned in a pond in Bethpage, Tennessee. The 12-year-old, Arthur Hawk Suddarth III, was visiting a friend, Hope Postell, when he went into the small pond to swim. It was reported that Postell said she observed Suddarth go into the pond and not come back up. Hope then went over to a neighbor’s house and called 911. Authorities responded to the call of possible drowning around 7:00 PM. A Volunteer Fire Department member was able to recover Suddarth from the pond. Suddarth was later pronounced dead at Sumner Regional Medical Center.
By George Fusner, Jr., Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Memphis, Tennessee, it was reported by ABC 24 Eyewitness News that a 1 year old girl was hit by a school bus at her day care center -Premier Kids Enrichment Center which is located on North Watkins in Frayser.
By George R. Fusner, Jr. and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Tennessee, children in public and private schools should be educated in a safe environment. Unfortunately, many teachers and school employees have violated the trust of their positions and have engaged in sexual misconduct with children. Whether it happens in high school, middle school or elementary school, it is still wrong and violative of State laws and school board policies and procedures. It was recently reported at the Tennessean Website that a former high school band director returned to jail for the alleged violation of a bond that required him to have no contact with his 16 year old accuser. James Tucker was arrested in December 2009 following an investigation at Summertown High School (Tennessee) for sexual misconduct with the 16 year old student. He was released on bond under the condition that he have no contact with his accuser.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
La Petite Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, has received the highest ranking possible from the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services: three stars. Nevertheless, when a mother recently picked her child up from the daycare, the child would not stop crying. When the mother confronted the daycare director the next day, she learned some distressing news.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In December 2008, an electrical space heater caused a fire at the Heavenly Angels Daycare in Alamo, Tennessee. The fire injured three children: two two-year olds and a three-year old. The children were rescued from the fire by Alamo Assistant Chief Kevin Sugg, who was off duty at the time. All three were treated for smoke inhalation, and the three-year old also had burns on his face. The owner, Kathy T. Humphrey, was charged with child abuse and neglect of a child under the age of six.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Philip Blake Putnam, 22, was charged with aggravated child abuse after his son was taken to the hospital with a broken arm. While the baby is still in the hospital and is showing signs of improvement, Putnam remains in jail. According the Lawrenceburg Police Chief, after arresting Putnam, he discovered that the man was wanted under several active arrest warrants for drug-related charges in another county.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Nashville, Tennessee, a 17 year old girl could be tried as an adult for burning a 1 year old and a 3 year old with a hot curtain rod. While babysitting these children, the teen burned the children because they were crying. Crystal Neal and Henry House, Sr., the children’s parents, left their children (Anthony and Henry House) at home with a babysitter and a friend. Apparently, there were no prior problems with the babysitter.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Tennessee and other Southern states, many parents and school districts continue to use corporal punishment (as well as the threat of corporal punishment) as a means of disciplining children and students. The Tennesean Newspaper / Website had a very interesting article on the spanking / paddling / corporal punishment debate. As noted in this article, each school district in Tennessee can make the decision on whether to use corporal punishment. Some Tennessee school districts allow corporal punishment while other school districts prohibit it. Whether corporal punishment is permitted or not, school districts and parents for that matter have a duty to refrain from abusing a child. Serious personal injuries should never result from using corporal punishment, paddling, or spanking as a means of punishment or discipline. Personally, I am against the use of corporal punishment. I believe that it is an archaic, ineffective and cruel means of punishment.
Child Injury Lawyer Blog