By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Texas and other States, summer camp should be a time for fun and adventure for children. Summer camp should also be a place where a child is cared for and supervised in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. Unfortunately, many children are abused and neglected each summer at summer camps. Some are raped. Some are molested. Many others suffer serious personal injuries and death due to the negligence of the camp operators, counselors, and / or support staff. In Kerrville, Texas, a former summer camp counselor recently struck a plea deal during a trial where the counselor was being prosecuted on aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child Texas criminal charges. The charges stemmed from allegations that a boy, who is now 11 years old, was molested / fondled as he left a shower area at the summer camp. It was reported that the family was disappointed in the camp’s actions or inactions in response to the counselor’s alleged inappropriate conduct with the children after the children had showered. The counselor denied the allegations of molesting the boy. Of course, trials, both civil and criminal, take place every day when there is a dispute over the allegations or facts. Without an admission, photographs, video tape, and multiple eyewitness accounts, it is often difficult to prosecute cases of alleged abuse and molestation at a summer camp, day care center, or other location. In some cases, there is forensic medical evidence showing the improper and forceful conduct. It should be pointed out that each case, whether civil or criminal in nature, must be evaluated by its own facts and the application of the the State and sometimes Federal law on point. For more information regarding this Texas trial and plea deal, see Former Camp Counsel Takes Plea in Texas Molestation Case.
In California and other States, day care centers should be a safe and healthy environment for children. Unfortunately, some day care centers are unsafe and even health hazards for children. It was reported in Visalia, California that a day care center was temporarily closed due to a discovery / reporting of black mold at the California day care / child care center. The Child Development Center on the College of the Sequoias campus cleared out the furniture and took other steps to address the mold problem in the day care center. It was reported that the black mold was not problematic since it was not airborne; nonetheless, the facility was placed on quarantine. For more information see 
Children in a local day care center located in Renton, Washington, were temporarily trapped inside due to fallen power lines. Although no one was hurt, a video showed the lines crossing a metal fence and lying on the Renton Day Care Center. The wires had arced and shortened over time, which caused them to burn through and hang lower than usual. A representative for the city reported that a U-Haul truck drove through the area at the time the wires went down and may have made contact with the wires to cause the reaction. A worker who fixed the lines said they were supposed to be 18 feet off the ground but were only 16 feet off the ground when measured. The owner said she didn’t know the lines were supposed to be higher.
A teenager was critically wounded after he was shot in the chest at a Gloucester City, New Jersey playground. Camden County police were called to the playground around midnight to break up a fight that had broke out. Police were called back to the scene just 45 minutes after their first arrival, because an 18-year-old had been shot in the chest. Neighbors near playground say the location is a popular place for teenagers to hangout and fight. One neighbor estimated about 10 to 15 fights occur at the playground weekly. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. As time of the release of the following news story, no arrests have been made. For more read 
There was a recent press release of an App for iPhones and Smart Phones called Phone Sheriff. It allows parents to monitor the calls, text messages, and GPS location of a child / teen who uses an iPhone or Smart Phone. The Press Release states that the product or App is “stealth” meaning that the child / teen user of the phone will not know that mom and dad are watching. See