The United States – State Department has reported that Jared Yaffe has been arrested in Brazil and has been returned to the United States. Jared Yaffe is charged with 17 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping. If convicted, Mr. Yaffe could be sentenced to 100 years in prison. Mr. Jaffe is charged with serious and most disturbing crimes where he ran a child pornography ring. He would line up baby sitters who brought him children who he subsequently molested. Authorities conducted an international investigation and search for Mr. Jaffe. Mr. Jaffe’s luck eventually ran out and he will now face charges in the United States. You can read more about this story at U.S. Man Accused in Child Molestation Ring Captured in Brazil.
In Meridian, Idaho, a toddler (Auston Banks) survived a potentially deadly incident that took place while he was playing in an apartment playground. Auston was walking with a pencil in his hand when he walked by some swings. Auston walked in front of a girl on a swing and her foot hit the end of the pencil which, in turn, went through Auston’s mouth and out the back of his neck. Auston was rushed to a local hospital where doctors removed the pencil. Doctors reported that the pencil came very close to a critical artery. Auston survived this incident. It was quite a terrifying day for Auston and his family.
In New Orleans, Louisiana and other cities, guns are dangerous when placed in the hands of a young child or accessible to a young child. Of course, many gun enthusiasts believe that guns and children go together as long as their is training and supervision. Training and supervision combined with good judgment are all vital to gun safety and the prevention of gun related personal injuries and wrongful deaths. In New Orleans, Louisiana, a 20 year old man (Adrian Kelly) was accidentally shot when he attempted to take a gun away from a 4 year old boy. Details from news reports were vague. I would be interested to know the following:
In Pennsylvania, a mother has been charged with the alcohol poisoning death of a 6 month old baby. Wyoming County Pennsylvania prosecutors are accusing Jessica Minor from Montrose Pennsylvania of giving her 6 month old baby alcohol to stop him from crying. The baby had a blood alcohol level of over .20 which was over two times the legal limit for Pennsylvania adult drivers. The baby died as a result of alcohol related poisoning. Jessica Minor has denied these charges. Questions do arise from a case of this nature:
In New York and other States, school coaches are in the position of trust and responsibility. Coaches are supposed to mentor our children. Coaches are not supposed to provide alcohol or sex to children. This is basic common sense. It is also a crime no matter if the Defendant is male, female, tall, short, good looking, or ugly. In Ausable Forks, New York, the girl’s basketball coach from Holy Name School has been criminally charged with giving alcohol to a teenage boy and having sex with him. The incident took place at a Queensbury, New York hotel in March 2009.
In Mississippi and other States, investigators are arresting and gathering vital evidence on people who distribute, sell, or view child pornography through the use of cyber investigations. The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office conducted a criminal investigation that led to the arrest of a Pass Christian Man on the charges of child pornography. The Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood reported that Paul S. Dybas was arrested after officials found evidence of child pornography after executing a search warrant at Mr. Dybas’ home.
Santiago Armijo was given a criminal sentence of probation recently for his involvement in the hazing of high school football players in New Mexico. Prosecutors
Children love playing pretend with toy guns. Unfortunately, a simple toy gun can be mistaken for a weapon which, in turn, can lead to dangerous and deadly consequences. In Palmdale, California, a deputy sheriff shot a 15 year old who was playing with a toy gun. Apparently, the child was playing “cops and robbers” and pointed the gun at a deputy sheriff / police officer. Since the toy resembled a real gun, the deputy responded by shooting the teenager.