By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Alabama, Erica DeRamus attended her prom in a dress that her mother approved and liked. School officials did not like the dress and determined that the prom dress violated the student dress code. Erica and other students were given one of two options for punishment: 1. Three day suspension OR 2. Paddling. Erica choose the suspension while others opted for the paddling. Many parents do not realize it but corporal punishment is still on the books for many school districts in Alabama and other States. To get paddled over a prom dress seems extreme and excessive. Yes, the school district did give the students the option of the two forms of punishment; nevertheless, the punishment seems extreme either way for an issue or debate over a prom dress. You can read more about this story and see a video at the Huffington Post Website at Alabama Student Choses Suspension Over Paddling for Punishment Involving Prom Dress.
A most disturbing news story was reported out of Saginaw, Michigan. It was reported that a care giver of a 10 year old girl traded the girl to man for cocaine. Thereafter, the man sexually assaulted the 10 year old girl. The woman (Angela Blackwell) was arrested and the man (Johnnie L. Griffin) is being sought by police. Both face felony charges. Each will be entitled to the defense of a public defender or a private criminal attorney. If the allegations are true and can be proved, prison time will be in order of these defendants.
In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a day care center that part of a national chain of cay care centers (La Petite Academy) has been cited by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) for a lack of supervision of the children. It was reported that a number of children were victims of improper touching and other inappropriate acts with other children. The lack of supervision appears to have played a role in the number of incidents and the fact that children were not better protected from engaging in or being subject to such conduct.
In Manheim, Pennsylvania, a day care worker has been criminally charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child regarding an incident that took place at the day care center – Small Freys Children Center. A 3 year old girl was placed in a time out. During the time out session, the child kept on turning her head. A day care center worker was not pleased with this conduct and “slammed” the girl’s head against the wall. While placing a child in a brief time out period can be appropriate, slamming the girl’s head against a wall is never appropriate. In fact, police in Pennsylvania have deemed this to be criminal conduct. The incident was witnessed by another day care worker.
In Slidell, Louisiana, a man was arrested and charged with the death of a 22 month old girl. As reported in the WWLTV News, the St. Tammany Sheriff’s office believes that Rubie Boland was shaken and assaulted by her babysitter at the time – Andrew Roberts (age 20).
In Lakeville, Minnesota, an 11 year old was admitted to a Hennepin County Medical Center for severe head injuries following a Minnesota bicycle accident. The accident was reported by the
In Florala, Alabama, an 8 year old elementary school student was killed when she was hit by her own school bus. The child exited the bus and then walked in front of the bus. According to Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole, it appeared that the school bus driver did not observe that the child got off the bus because the child may have exited off at the wrong stop or the wrong time. See 
Toys can provide a child with hours of fun play time. Toys can also present a choking or health hazard for children. Fisher Price is a major toy manufacturer and distributed. “Little People” has been a big success for the toy company for many years. Health Canada is advising parents to go through toy rooms and boxes to see if any pre-1991 “Little People” are located. The toys pre-1991 were and are small enough to create a serious choking hazard for small children. An article posted at 
In Trenton, New Jersey, criminal charges were filed against the driver of the transport van employed with Roselle-based On Time Transport Inc. and a day care center worker employed with Pediatric Day Health Center. The incident was very problematic in that the child had serious health conditions that put the child at significant risk for serious personal injuries. The child, Ty’on Moore, was enrolled as a student at the Pediatric Day Health Center. Ty’on was left in a van in front of the day care center for about 5 hours. Ty’on has medical problems including chronic asthma and seizures. The family was very relieved, after Ty’on was evaluated and treated at a local hospital, that more serious complications did not result from such neglect. Police reported that Ty’on was visibly dazed as a result of the incident and possible medical complications from the 5 hour stay in the van.