By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Australia, an amazing video captured a near tragic incident involving a train and a baby in a baby stroller / carrier. Video footage from the station’s security camera captured this incident. It is truly incredible that the baby only suffered minor injuries. The baby, who was only 6 months old, somehow avoided serious personal injuries. Any parent watching this video should take notice and make sure that children are safe and away from the dangers of moving trains, buses, and cars when children are in public. This incident resulted when the mother took her hand off the stroller for just a moment or so. It shows how incidents can take place in just a few seconds. You can read more about this incident and see the video footage at
Two-year-old Amara Ou, of St. Johns County, Florida, was murdered in her babysitter’s Mandarin, Florida home nearly three years ago. The child was beaten with the handle of a fly swatter, and died of severe head trauma at Wolfson Children’s Hospital three days later. The babysitter, Syna Lim, 41, is a mother of two children herself. Last month a jury convicted her of first degree murder and aggravated child abuse. Ms. Lim was given the mandatory life sentence for her crimes.
Five families from Great Falls Montana believe that their special needs children were severely abused by the 7th and 8th grade special needs classroom teacher aids at North Middle School. Tragically, the children’s special needs – autism, cerebral palsy and down syndrome – prevented them from reporting the alleged abuse. Julie Parish and Kristina Marie Kallies have been charged with felony assault on a minor and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children. Ms. Parish has been arrested but police have been unable to find Ms. Kallie.
Millions of parents rely on daycare centers to look after their children. But with the looming H1N1 epidemic, daycare centers could become breeding grounds for the potentially deadly virus. I recently had the opportunity to share my legal viewpoint about the ramifications of H1N1 and daycare center liability with 
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.
The Bay County Florida Sheriff’s office reported that a baby who suffered a head injury was wrapped in duct tape and left to suffer while his parents “tweaked” on crystal meth. The parents, John Paul Huskey and Jessica Huskey have both been charged with aggravated child abuse, and the pair may also be charged with several drug offences. According to Captain Faith Bell of the Bay County, Florida Sheriff’s office, officers also found evidence of crack and marijuana in the couple’s home.
It took less than one hour for a Tulare County jury to return a guilty verdict in this shocking California case. Nancy Ortiz, 24, of Orosi, California was found guilty on second degree murder and felony child abuse charges after she abandoned three of her children.
Parents can sometimes have a hard time determining when it is appropriate to take a child to the emergency room. CBS News medical correspondent and pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Ashton recently outlined some pointers for parents to recognize when an illness or injury is an emergency.
A newly released US government survey, Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey, has revealed that 60% of American children under the age of eighteen have been exposed to violence in the last year. For nearly 50% of the children, the violence came in the form of an assault. The other 10% were subject to physical and emotional child abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse and even parent abduction. Frighteningly, the study revealed that once a child was exposed to violence, they were more likely to be exposed to additional violence.
In California and other States, day care centers should be places of safety and education for children. Day care centers should not be places for illegal drugs or bomb making materials. The California Inland Island Child Care Regional Office recently ordered the closure of a day care center with such criminal activities. The Kuzelka family operated a day care center but did not limit their business or entrepreneur activities to child care. Law enforcement officials found bomb making materials and marijuana at the home / day care center as part of an investigation following a report that Benjamin Kuzelka blew off most of his hand Wednesday night with a liquid explosive that he was making in his garage.