Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Three elementary school students were injured after a loaded pistol, which was brought to the school by a 6-year-old boy, accidentally discharged at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Central Houston, Texas. The children’s injuries were said to be non-life threatening. However, each kid was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. According to police, it is unclear how the boy obtained the gun or who owns the firearm. The 6-year-old who brought the weapon to school sustained personal injuries to his leg by what officials think was a bullet. The other children, a male and female, both 5-years-old, appeared to have been hit by flying debris or shrapnel. None of the children were identified. The incident happened in the cafeteria, apparently the loaded pistol fell out of the boy’s pocket as he went to sit down. For more read 3 kindergarten students wounded after boy brings gun to Houston elementary school.
In Texas, a 65 year old babysitter (Carolyn “Carrie” Marie Easton) was arrested for allegations that she shook and slapped 5 month old triplets under her care. The interesting part of this case is that the alleged abuse was caught on tape by the parents who had installed a hidden video camera. The parents were concerned about the amount of play time that the children received under the babysitter’s care and supervision. When the parents viewed the tape, the parents discovered the abuse and neglect by the babysitter. The acts were not only horrible but also criminal in nature.
A recent court ruling may make it easier for victims of child pornography to receive restitution from those convicted of possessing child pornographic images. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal restitution law generally does not require victims to detail how an individual defendant harmed them in order to get compensation, a ruling different from previous court holdings. However, legal experts are saying that the issue will probably end up having to be answered by the U.S. Supreme Court because of the disagreement among courts. In the Texas case, a woman sought compensation from an East Texas man who was previously convicted of possession images of child pornography. If you would like to read more see 
Jessica Tata, the former owner of a residential day care center in Houston, Texas, turned herself in to officials after she fled to Nigeria for her involvement in the death of 4 children while under her care. Tata’s residential day care caught fire sometime last month, killing 4 children under her care. Tata allegedly fled to Nigeria two days after the fire broke out. Charges were pressed against her the day after she fled from Texas. Tata was on the run for 20 days, during that time she was placed on the U.S. Marshal’s 15 most wanted fugitive list. She traveled with Nigerian officials to Lagos, where U.S. authorities met her. It is believed that Tata’s family played a role in her surrender. Tata faces four counts of manslaughter as well as multiple charges of injury to a child and 3 counts of abandoning a child. For more information on Tata’s surrender read 
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 
In Morton Texas, police investigators have reported that Don Rives – Football Coach of Morton ISD School, will be prosecuted for felony charges of allegedly assaulting a 6th grade student. See