By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Alex McGowen Duncan, 34, was charged with murder after his son, 6-year-old Tekerrious “TK” Jackson died after suffering from severe bodily injury. Investigators say Duncan repeatedly beat his son in the chest because he would not go to sleep.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Sheri Lyn Davis, a former Houston Charter School teacher, was formally charged with causing injury to a child for the April beating of a student in Davis’ classroom, while a fellow faculty member watched. Two of the school’s administrators, Principal David Jones and Superintendent Ollie Hilliard, and the other teacher, Gabriel Moseley, were indicted for neglecting to report abuse. The incident was captured on a student’s cell phone. The recording led to the firing of both teachers, Davis and Moseley. According to authorities, Davis, 40, repeatedly pummeled and kicked the victim, Isaiah Reagins, a 13-year-old child, after Reagins allegedly laughed at a mentally challenged student. The video recording shows Davis continuously slapping and kicking Reagins. If convicted, Jones, Hilliard, and Moseley could face up to one year in jail; Davis could get anywhere from 2-10 years in prison.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A Texas state inspection revealed that in April 2008, staff workers at Daystar, a center for distressed children 30 miles south of Houston, provoked seven developmentally disabled girls into a fight. The staged fight resulted in biting and bruising as the staff members laughed and cheered on the spectacle. If the fight is not disturbing enough, no criminal indictments were sought against the perpetrators nor did Texas lawmakers press a state agency for answers about how this despicable act could have occurred. Instead, two staffers were quietly fired and their names have been kept secret by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Fun in the sun might not always be the accurate description for summer. Take for instance the recent tragic drowning of a man while vacationing with his family in Galveston, Texas over Memorial Day Weekend. After their boat capsized during a fishing trip, three members of the family, all of whom were wearing life jackets, survived but the father, who was not wearing a life jacket, was found floating nearby and eventually pronounced dead at the hospital.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Lufkin, Texas, a teacher’s aide was arrested based on criminal allegations that she struck / hit a 4 year old boy. The incident took place at the Slack Elementary School. It was reported that another teacher’s aide witness the acts of Debra Martin Fuqua (age 54). There were subsequent investigations of the incident by the school district as well as Child Protective Services. This was an interesting story in that the alleged criminal acts were witnessed by another school employee. Often times, a child has no such adult witness to step up and serve as a witness on the case. See Lufkin Texas Teacher’s Aide Arrested.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Houston, Texas, school officials and police officers are investigating a stabbing that took place approximately 30 minutes before school started at Pershing Middle School. The weapon used was a pocket knife. News of the stabbing was quite upsetting for the students, parents, and teachers associated with this school. It is quite frightening to think that a child could, in this day in age, be stabbed by another student at school. Parents, teachers, and students should discuss the issues of school safety and take whatever reasonable actions are available for the protection of students. You can read more about this story at Middle School Student Stabbed in Houston, Texas.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Houston, Texas, police have charged a school teacher with a hit and run incident. The driver claims that she left the scene because there was a mob that had gathered and she feared for her safety. In leaving the scene of this pedestrian accident, there may have been evidence that left the scene with the automobile. When there is an automobile accident involving personal injuries, a person has a duty to remain at the scene of the automobile accident. There are similar laws in other States as well. It is certainly tragic that a young child (Destiny Garcia – age 8) died as a result of this incident. It is a loss that parents and family members will suffer for many years to come. You can read more about this story at Teacher Charged in Hit and Run Accident in Texas.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Texas, a man was arrested for causing serious personal injuries to a child while he was babysitting the child. Brandon Deon Stewart, age 25, was arrested on criminal charges that he abused a 2 year old girl under his care. Police reported that there were severe liquid burns on the girl on her legs and genital area. There were no details as to how the incident took place or the liquids involved. You can read more about this story at Texas Man Arrested for Burn Injuries to Child. Like other criminal cases, this man will be entitled to defend himself. He may deny the allegations altogether. He may try to explain that it was an accident or that the injuries were caused by another person. He will entitled to the services of a private criminal defense attorney or a public defender.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Texas and other States, day care centers and child care centers have a duty to provide a safe and clean learning environment for children. It is vital that the day care workers are consistent and alert during the entire work day. Otherwise, incidents that are otherwise preventable can happen which can and do cause harm to a child. In Texas, it was reported by KVUE News that a toddler somehow got out of a day care center and was found by a bystander near a busy road where the speed limit is 60 miles per hour. There could have easily been a tragic ending to this story as well as the life of a young children. Fortunately, tragedy was avoided. You can read more about this Texas day care center and see a video at Texas Toddler Found Near Busy Roadway.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A seven year old girl and her mother were leaving the soccer fields at Bear Creek Park, Texas, late one recent evening. As they made their way back to their car, the child ran into the road and was struck by a passing SUV. According to the girl’s mother, the automobile appeared to be a silver Isuzu Trooper or Mitsubishi Montero.
Child Injury Lawyer Blog