Jesse Ramirez and Edwin Pellecier have died from their injuries. Joe Sauceda Gellegos is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

In Phoenix, Jesse Ramirez and Edwin Pellecier have both died from injuries sustained during a senseless beating that occurred at the Phoenix park on 91^st Avenue and Buckeye. A neighbor found Jesse, 7 years-old, and Edwin, 10-years-old, lying near a playground slide severely injured after being bludgeoned. The suspect, Joe Sauceda Gallegos, remains in custody. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The family of the victims and community are mourning their loss.  

Two children have lost their lives from a senseless act of violence. The Keane Law Firm represents children that have been catastrophically injured from child abuse. Please call us, the child injury law firm for a timely case evaluation at 888-592-KIDS or 415-398-2777.  You may visit our website at www.keanelaw.com – we will determine the facts of the case and file a claim to hold those responsible to pay for the damages and loss suffered by the victim’s family. We represent families nationwide.        

In Lincoln, a seven-year-old boy died in a house fire. He was a visitor in the home.

In Lincoln, a seven-year-old boy is dead from a house fire. New stories report that the child was visiting the family of the home that caught on fire. The fire is still under investigation. The source of the fire has not been released to the media. The other occupants of the home managed to escape or be rescued by rescue personnel.  

The surviving victims were taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Their conditions are not known. No other fatalities have been reported. It is not known whether the home had working smoke detectors. 

The Keane Law Firm will provide smoke detectors to families that cannot afford them. Please visit our website to obtain a smoke detector.  A child has died in a house fire. The Keane Law Firm represents children that have been catastrophically injured from burn injuries and house fires. Please call us, the child injury law firm for a timely case evaluation at 888-592-KIDS or 415-398-2777.  You may visit our website at www.keanelaw.com – we will determine the facts of the case and file a claim to hold those responsible to pay for the damages.  

Paul A. Peterson agreed to testify against Dameon Gatson for an unborn baby’s death.

In Hennepin County District Court, Paul Peterson, 20-year-old, pleaded guilty to punching a friend’s pregnant girlfriend in the abdomen with the alleged intention of killing the baby, for money. News stories also report Mr. Peterson will provide testimony implicating his friend, Dameon Gatson in the plot to attack Shyloe Linde at her apartment in an attempt to end her pregnancy. Allegedly Peterson states that Gatson told him he wanted Linde to miscarry because he didn’t want the baby. News stories also report that Gatson offered Peterson $200 for the attack, but actually paid him $40 when it was done.  

New stories report the attack on Ms. Linde occurred in April 2007, whereupon she went into labor and it was discovered that her baby sustained mortal injury from the event. The baby died on May 1, 2007.   

A baby was killed. The Keane Law Firm represents children that have been victimized by someone else’s actions. Please call us, the child injury law firm for a timely case evaluation at 888-592-KIDS or 415-398-2777.  You may visit our website at www.keanelaw.com – we will determine the facts of the case and file a claim to hold those responsible to pay for the damages.  In a child wrongful death lawsuit, we will recover for clients. 

http://www.keanelaw.com/
Phone# 415-398-2777
Address: Keane Law Firm, 530 Jackson Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Email: grace@keanelaw.com

In Kansas, Jessica Cummings was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the strangulation death of a 13-month-old girl found dead partially strapped in a car seat while unsupervised in a bathroom.

In Kansas, Jessica Cummings was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the strangulation death of a 13-month-old girl found dead partially strapped in a car seat while at day care. On March 25, 2008, the child died and was found two hours later in the bathroom partially strapped in her car seat. New stories report she was placed in a bathroom partially strapped in her infant seat to finish her bottle.  

Studies show that caregiver supervision and an effective strategy that keeps the child in the caregiver’s view reduces the frequency of injury. It is also known that a lapse in supervision where the child is not in view correlates with a higher incidence of child injury. This may seem to be an obvious statement. However, even if the caregiver is highly conscientious there remains an increased risk for injury during intervals when the child is not in view. So whether a child caregiver is regarded as highly conscientious or not-highly conscientious, the risk for injury to a child is still higher when the child is not in the view of the caregiver. Close supervision contributes directly to reduced events of injury.  

A child has died tragically at a day care, from a day care provider's neglect. This is wrongful death. The Keane Law Firm represents children that have been catastrophically injured from neglect by day care providers. Please call us, the child injury law firm for a timely case evaluation at 888-592-KIDS or 415-398-2777.  You may visit our website at www.keanelaw.com – we will determine the facts of the case and file a claim to hold those responsible to pay for the damages. In a child death lawsuit, we will recover for our clients.  

http://www.keanelaw.com/
Phone# 415-398-2777
Address: Keane Law Firm, 530 Jackson Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Email: grace@keanelaw.com

Thirteen-year-old Jonathan King threatened suicide and new stories report that Alpine Program’s attorney Phil Hartley claims it was just “an effort to get attention”.

If what news stories are reporting is true about Phil Hartley's statements, then it is evident that Attorney Hartley lacks insight into behavioral disorders in children and how it impacts the teenager, otherwise he wouldn’t make irresponsible statements to the press for nationwide distribution.  Or were his alleged statements reflective of his personal thoughts or that of his client, the Alpine Program? This Georgia case involves the suicide of Jonathan King at the Alpine Program facility in Gainesville, a north Georgia educational school. Jonathon was a 13-year-old boy with behavioral problems that was repeatedly placed in a seclusion room that resembles a prison room. His alleged crime was an indigenous chemical imbalance of which he had no control over. Who, if managed properly, would have survived and benefited from the medical advances in the treatment of behavioral disorders and would have went on to learn to deal with his problems and lead a productive life as an adult.    

Of note, the Alpine Program in Gainesville does not have to re-invent the wheel or look very far with regard to developing policies and procedures for managing behavior, utilizing seclusion methods or the use of restraints. Consulting with health care providers that have clearly defined safety guidelines already in place at every healthcare institution that treats mental illness across the country would be the most expeditious method to get in line with how to treat human-beings with behavioral disorders.

Managing children with behavioral disorders within an institutional setting is very challenging. And there is no excuse and no room for undefined, unregulated institutional policies and procedures with regard to managing behavior in an institution of this nature.  To not have safety guidelines that are strictly enforced with well-trained staff at these institutions constitutes a violation of basic human rights of these minor-children confined within their walls and deprives them of protection from bodily harm and having their basic human needs met.  Educators are mandated reporters and are required to report when they see or suspect child abuse to authorities. Locking a child in a seclusion room for extended periods of time is child abuse (false imprisonment). If a parent were to do this to a child within a home child protective service agencies would be investigating the matter.  Every educator in that facility was breaking the law when they did not report a colleague's abuse of this Jonathan King. Perhaps these educators were discriminating against this student because he had behavioral problems, and looked the other way when his punishment was excessive and abusive.  The very act of locking this child in a seclusion room was a physical barrier between him and the people that could have helped him. This act prevented him from getting the medical attention he needed for suicide ideation.      

The behavioral problems, and the medical diagnosis of suicide ideation should be managed within the same well-established framework regardless of the institution, whether it is a school or mental health facility. Professionals should be held to the same standards. Is it reasonable on an ethical level for Mr. Hartley to argue that because this case involved educators that the standards for conduct in the care and treatment of Jonathan King are expected to be lower? 

To name a few well-known approaches to managing acute depressive behavior in an individual similar to Jonathan, we give you the following pearls:  

1)  With regard to seclusion - never give the person having an acute episode of aggressive depression a “cord” to hold up his pants, especially when that person has verbalized suicide ideation.  

2) Never assume someone that is verbalizing thoughts of suicide is just saying it for attention.   

3) Always screen for suicide ideation when an individual with depression is acting out and symptomatic.  

4) Document the stepwise approaches that have failed with a description of why they failed and the decision tree to go to the next level of behavior management.  

5) Document every fifteen minutes the individual’s behavior, intervention needed, and how the issues of hydration, nutrition, toileting and avoidance of self-harm were addressed.      

There are many things wrong with was happened to Jonathan King. Proving the alleged reckless, irresponsible behavior of the educators in this case will not be a difficult task. Proving how Jonathan King may be alive today had he been managed by knowledgeable professionals will not be a difficult task either.   

This child has died from the reckless management of his case by an institution. The Keane Law Firm represents children that have been catastrophically injured. Please call us, the child abuse law firm for a timely case evaluation at 888-592-KIDS or 415-398-2777.  You may visit our website at www.keanelaw.com – we will determine the facts of the case and file a claim to hold those responsible to pay for the damages to the family. In a child abuse lawsuit, we will recover for the damages suffered by the family and the victim.    

Anthony and Marsha Springer have been arraigned on manslaughter and child abuse charges stemming from the death of their daughter Calista Springer.

In Michigan, Anthony and Marsha Springer have been arraigned on manslaughter and child abuse charges stemming from the death of their daughter 16-year-old Calista Springer. Authorities admit the manslaughter charges are for her death and the first-degree child abuse charges are related to her treatment prior to her death.  

Chaining a child to a bed is against the law. 

DO YOU HAVE A SERIOUS OR CATASTROPHIC INJURY, SPINAL CORD INJURY, BRAIN INJURY, BURN, SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME, WRONGFUL DEATH OR CHILD ABUSE CASE OR LAWSUIT AND NEED A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER OR ATTORNEY FOR A CHILD OR CHILDREN?

Please contact the Keane Law Firm for a timely expert review of your case. We review cases nationwide. You may contact Attorney Christopher Keane at:

http://www.keanelaw.com/
Phone# 415-398-2777
Address: Keane Law Firm, 530 Jackson Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Email: ckeane@keanelaw.com or grace@keanelaw.com  

Attorney Christopher Keane has devoted his Bay Area practice to representing children whose lives have been irrevocably altered by abuse, neglect, injury, or death. He is a member of the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center (SFCAPC), and is currently serving as the co-Vice President on their Board of Directors. The prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers has awarded Christopher Keane a top rating and, reflecting his dedication to professional excellence. In addition, Mr. Keane is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum Top Trial Lawyers in America, listed in the top 500 Plaintiff's attorneys in America by Lawdragon.com and as a principal member of Keane Law has acted as lead plaintiff’s lawyer on a number of successful multi-million dollar cases.

The Sheboygan City Attorney will decide whether the landlord will be fined for not having working smoke detectors in his rental property that burned resulting in an infant’s death.

In Sheboygan, MI - A four-month old infant girl died from injuries sustained in a house fire. The Sheboygan City Attorney is in the process of deciding whether the landlord will be fined for not having working smoke detectors in hi s rental property. The upstairs tenants were forced to jump from the second story window to escape because the stairway was engulfed in flames when they realized there was a fire. The infant girl died and her father was severely injured.  

A rental property without working smoke detectors is a violation of city ordinance. The city ordinance requires landlords to provide operating smoke detectors.

Announcement by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: IKEA Home Furnishing is conducting a voluntary recall of their products named IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that IKEA Home Furnishing is voluntarily recalling their products that go by the names IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds due to one child death in Greenwich, Connecticut. The blinds have been sold in IKEA stores nationwide between July 2005 and June 2008. Tragically, the deceased child was found strangulated  and partially suspended in the inner cord of the blinds. Approximately 670,000 of these blinds have been sold in the United States. For additional information you may contact IKEA (888) 966-4532 or go to their website – www.ikea-use.com.  

To report a dangerous product, you may reach the CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or visit their website at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. You may obtain a copy of this recall information at www.cpsc.gov.   

Four month-old girl died from injuries sustained during a house fire in an upper flat of a duplex rental with no working smoke detectors.

In Sheboygan, a father is in critical condition and his infant daughter is dead after jumping out of a second story window during a raging house fire. During the early morning hours of November 21, 2008, police were notified of the smell of smoke in the neighborhood. They quickly located the home on fire and notified the occupants in the lower flat. They were unable to reach the upper flat due to the fire. Shortly after arriving to the burning home, witnesses heard glass breaking and noticed the Isaacson family had jumped from the second story to escape. Witnesses to the tragedy say that the fire engulfed the stairway that Isaacson and Stelling needed to use to escape the house. So the family jumped from the second story window. The residents from the lower flat escaped unharmed.  

According to news stories, the duplex at 2314 Indiana Avenue had no working fire detectors when it caught fire. Neighbors say that Charles Isaacson, Arin Stelling and their daughter Cheyenne Isaacson had just moved in the upper flat of the rental on the previous day. The initial investigation reveals the fire started in the upper flat kitchen which is located between the bedroom and the stairway in the rear part of the home.  

The incidence of house fires increases during the Christmas holiday season. Please make sure you have working fire detectors in your home.  

Storm Bratchett died after he was hit in the chest by an arrow yesterday.

In Ohio, Storm Bratchert was struck in the chest by an arrow. He was taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center by private vehicle and died at approximately 11:00 a.m. The incident happened at a friend’s house in the morning between classes. Investigators will determine whether this shooting is accidental. Storm Bratchett attended Portsmouth High School and played football.  

Call 911 in the event of an emergency, so emergency medical personnel can stabilize the situation and transport without further injury occurring.     

Brett Inman, father of Cole Bernadi, spoke at a news conference on October 24, 2008.

In Dallas, Brett Inman, father of Cole Bernadi, spoke at a news conference on October 24, 2008. According to news stories, Mr. Inman said he doesn’t understand why the Dallas Police Department decided to release the October 17, 2008 dash cam video clip of his son getting hit and killed by a police cruiser before first showing the video to the family. The cruiser was traveling at a high-rate of speed down a dark single-lane road and did not have lights and sirens on at the time of the accident. Mr. Inman felt that releasing the video to the public before showing the family could have been handled better and with more respect for the family’s grief.      

Approximately 25% of our drive time is in the dark on average.  But 50% of the fatal accidents occur at night. Most pedestrian and cyclist fatalities occur between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm.

Cole Berardi was struck and killed by a police cruiser traveling at a high-speed.

In Dallas, Dallas Police have announced a change in departmental policy about responding to Code 3 police calls. This departmental policy change comes at the heels of a tragic accident involving the death of ten-year-old Cole Berardi. Cole was riding his bike across the street by his house when he was struck by a police cruiser that was responding to a Code 3 police call. The accident occurred at the 2600 block of Belt Line Road shortly before 8:00 pm.  

The Keane Law Firm joins the community in offering their condolences to the family and friends of Cole Berardi.  

One year-old Kirstian Blockinger died in a medical helicopter crash with the rescue staff.

Family and friends of the Kirstian Blockinger are mourning the loss of their baby loved-one. She died while riding in a medical helicopter. The helicopter was en route to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago on October 15, just before midnight.  

The investigation so far reveals that a radio tower wire was involved.  The helicopter was a Bell 222 run by Air Angels, Inc.  

News stories report this is the second crash in five years for this company. There have been a total of six fatal medical helicopter crashes this year.

Infant Death Prompts Recall of Convertible Cribs by Playkids USA; Crib Poses Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Infant Death Prompts Recall of Convertible Cribs by Playkids USA; Crib Poses Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Playkids U.S.A. of Brooklyn, N.Y. is announcing today a voluntary recall of about 2,000 convertible cribs. The sides of the convertible crib are made of a mesh that expands, creating a gap between the mattress and the side through which an infant can slip. This poses suffocation and entrapment hazards for young children.

CPSC is aware of the death of a 5-month-old child on August 31, 2008 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The child became entrapped between the mattress and the stationary side rail of the convertible crib and suffocated.

This recall involves the Playkids U.S.A. convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PLK-909. “Playkids U.S.A.” can be found on the packaging and on a label sewn into the side of the crib. The model number can be found on the packaging. The convertible cribs have a drop side rail, a stationary side rail, a canopy assembly, and a bassinet. The sides of the convertible crib, the mattress support, the bassinet, the canopy and the bedskirt are covered in fabric and mesh. The fabric and the mesh come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The convertible cribs, which were made in China, were sold in juvenile product retailers in New York from March 2007 through September 2008 for about $100.

Consumers should stop using the recalled convertible cribs immediately and contact Playkids USA to receive a full refund.

For additional information, consumers should contact Playkids USA collect at (718) 797-0302 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Kimberly Robinson and Taliyah Banks were killed by Ellis Haywood during a tragic drunk driving accident.

In Texas, Kimberly Robinson, 38 year-old grandmother to Taliyah Banks, was killed while walking with her granddaughter, Taliyah, on the 3900 block of Overton Road in Dallas. Witnesses report that Ellis Haywood, 54 year-old, drove up onto the sidewalk and hit Ms. Robinson and young Taliyah as they were walking. Witnesses were instrumental in making sure Mr. Haywood did not leave the scene of the accident before police arrived.  The tragic accident involving Ms. Robinson and Taliyah Banks occurred on Saturday, October 4, 2008 around 7:30 pm.  

Do not drive impaired. Alcohol, drugs, fatigue, medication, and extreme anxiety are some examples of conditions that impair drivers. You don’t want to injure someone or inflict the worst grief a family can experience-by killing someone, just because you didn’t adjust your social life, wait to drive, get someone else to drive for you or just avoid alcohol before driving. 

In Ohio, Tyler Hadler, 20 year-old, is charged with murder for the death of Patrick Smith.

In Ohio, Tyler Hadler, 20 year-old allegedly struck Patrick Smith with his car and pinned him against a garage on September 23, 2008. The incident occurred on the corner of North Ogden Avenue and Grace Street. Hadler allegedly drove down a one-way street heading in the wrong direction to carry out this crime. News stories report that witnesses say that they witnessed Hadler intentionally chase Smith down to run him down. Patrick Smith was taken emergently to Mount Carmel West Hospital in critical condition where he died several hours later.  

Hadler was arrested and charged with murder. Allegedly drugs were found in his car after police arrived to the scene.  

According to the State of Ohio, Office of Criminal Justice Services, young males are much more likely to be victims of homicide than any other age group. In 2004, there was an increase in homicides for three months of summer with the highest incidence occurring during the month of September. Three quarters of the victims are male in early adulthood, generally between the ages of 16 – 30 years of age. White males make up 42% of the male victims of homicide. Male homicide offenders outnumber female offenders 6:1. Demographics for homicide offenders are similar for homicide victims. Few homicides are random. The victim usually knows the offender. Cars are not commonly used as weapons in homicide. 
 

Infant fell out of apartment window while in the care of his father.

In Boston, a nine month-old infant boy fell out of his apartment window from the fourth floor. The infant sustained fatal head trauma. The name of the deceased baby has not been released. The baby was pronounced dead after arrival to Boston Medical Center. He died on the morning of Thursday, September 18, 2008. The mother of the baby was out of town when the accident occurred. The father was with him at the time of the tragedy.  

According to Burns, et al, the seventh leading cause of death in infants includes accidental injuries. Accidents are responsible for approximately 67% of the external causes of infant death. Of injury-related deaths in infants, suffocation, motor vehicle accidents and drowning were the leading causes of death. With regard to infant death with all causes included, mortality rates have declined. According to Kliegman, there has been a decline in overall infant mortality rate since 1980. Estimated reduction in infant mortality rate is reported as high as 46% reduction since the early 1900’s. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, the most recent decline of 10% in infant mortality is from 1995 to present. According to the CDC database, presently the infant mortality rate is just under 7 for every 1,000 births including all causes of death. 

Falls: It is important to rule out intentional versus non-intentional injury in infants. The CDC statistics show that approximately 22 out of every 100,000 infants die from accidental causes. The version of events provided by parents or caregivers should accurately reflect the developmental level of the child. Falls do occur more commonly after an infant reaches four months of age, because an infant can roll over and fall from elevated surfaces.   

Prevention of falls: Falls may occur at any time, but become more common when the infant learns to roll over. It is important to never leave an infant unattended on an elevated surface that does not have rails along the sides to prevent falling.  When ever the infant is in a crib, keep side rails secured in the up position. If an infant is in an infant carrier, keep the infant strapped in the chair for safety. Place the infant seat on the floor or in a play pen.  If the infant is in high-chair, stroller, or carriage keep the infant restraint on the baby. Keep the floor free of obstacles, puddles and debris. Lock all windows. Do not leave windows with low window sills open while the infant explores the room. Polished floors and floor rugs may contribute to falls. Place baby gates across stairways or close doors when baby starts to explore.   

Elisa Skinner-Bell, 16 years-old, was killed while performing community service with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Youth Mentoring Program.

Elisa died on June 27 from severe injuries sustained while beginning work on a highway beautification project. She was exiting from the passenger side of a MDOT van when the vehicle was struck as it was parked on the side of the road. The tragic accident occurred on I-696. The Michigan State Police investigation reveals that the driver of the Ford Excursion that hit Elisa, and others, fell asleep at the wheel. One teen-ager remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Others were injured, but did not sustain serious injuries from the incident.  

Police report that alcohol and drugs was not a factor in the accident. The Oakland County Prosecutors Office will review the matter to determine if charges will be pressed against the 60 year-old driver of the vehicle that hit Elisa and the group she was with. 

Accidents result when one or more drivers are not paying attention. Driving is an important responsibility, as the driver is controlling a machine that weighs thousands of pounds. In the wrong hands, an automobile becomes a deadly weapon. Accidents are more like to occur close to home because drivers are familiar with their environments and feel comfortable enough to allow distractions while driving, such as talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, looking in the mirror, day dreaming or looking through a purse rather than paying attention to the traffic around them. Don’t let your mind get distracted.    

In Carter County, Raymond, a toddler in foster care dies from a tragic accident. Dale Owen and his family, Heath Claburn and Raymond’s family are grieving.

Nineteen month-old Raymond, a toddler in foster care with the Owen family, died from injuries sustained on Friday when Heath Claburn, a family friend, accidentally ran over Raymond with his truck. Dale Owen, Raymond’s foster father, says that he prays for Heath Claburn because Heath is devastated by this tragedy. Tyson Owen, Raymond’s young foster brother, was overwhelmed with tears when he was asked about Raymond by Meredith Saldana. During Ms. Saldana’s interview with the Owen family, Dale Owen fondly recalled that Raymond would play for hours with a toy tractor that Heath Claburn had given him.   

On Friday, the family was together at the pond, enjoying the outdoors. Raymond and his foster brothers had been at the pond swimming for about an hour and one half when the accident took place. Dale Owens said Raymond was at his side and the accident happened so fast, “within seconds”. 

The Owen family has provided foster care for a decade, providing a home for over 50 foster children. They have three adopted children presently. 

Back-over injuries refer to injuries sustained by a child when a vehicle strikes or runs over a child while in reverse motion. Run-over injuries occur when a child is struck by a vehicle in forward motion. A majority of child victims are male. The younger the child, the more likely the child is to sustain injury to the head, face and neck. The older the child, the more likely the child is to sustain injury to the legs. The degree of severity level in internal injury and fracture statistically decreases with the increased age of the victim. Children that are pedestrians are at six time’s greater risk of being a victim in back-over accidents than children riding tricycles or bicycles. The majority of back-over accidents generally occur at home in a driveway. The locations with second highest risk for back-over accidents are parking lots. The CDC reports that fifty percent of child fatalities related to back-over accidents occurred at home in the driveway. Toddlers may be hit and killed in their own home environments because they are too small to be seen by a driver that is backing up a vehicle. These types of accidents generally involve a family member, family friend or neighbor.  

In Illinois, the Will County coroner, Patrick O’Neil ruled that Richard Fonesca-Hernandez died of blunt-force trauma.

On April 15, 2008, nine-month-old Richard Fonesca-Hernandez died. The coroner’s office states the child died as a result of homicide. The Will County Sherriff’s office is currently investigating the matter.  

Richard’s family lives in Crystal Lawns subdivision outside of Joliet. He was taken emergently to Povena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet when he became unresponsive under the care of a baby sitter. New stories say that Richard was at the home of the baby sitter when his condition deteriorated. According to details released to the media, the baby sitter called 911.   

Monitor strangers around your child. Look for signs that the caregiver delayed in seeking help for an injury or potential injury. Have a high-index of suspicion for an individual providing an inconsistent history about the mechanism of injury. Suspect intentional injury when the injury is inconsistent with the child’s developmental capabilities.  Well adjusted care giving styles are learned behaviors. Good child care is not instinctual. Abusive adults are generally grown abused children with poor coping skills. That is not to say that all abusers were abused and all abused children will be abusers. Some people that were abused as children do not abuse children. And some children that were not abused as children grow up to be abusive parents. However, the likelihood of being an abuser increases significantly if an individual was abused as a child. While women are more likely and more frequently to be the abusers, men abuse more severely. Children under the age of three years old are the most likely victims of abuse, because the toddler stage is a very trying time for child care providers. Child care providers with unrealistic expectations and poor coping skills are most at risk for engaging in abusive behavior. Physical abuse is the most overt form of abuse. Physical abuse can result in brain injury, fractured bones, soft tissue injuries, bruises, cuts and burns.  

Just outside Turlock, man is shot to death by police as he is beating toddler to death at the roadside.

News stories report that on June 14^th, witnesses phoned police when they saw a 27 year-old man beating a toddler while parked on the side of West Bradbury Road, just outside of Turlock around 10:00 p.m. Despite poor lighting a few of witnesses saw the tragic attack unfolding and notified authorities. A witness at the scene tried to stop the man from beating the child but was not successful. 

The deceased child remains unidentified at this time. Investigators will have to confirm identity with DNA testing, as the toddler was beaten beyond recognition. The information about the mother is not known as of the posting of this story.  

A Sheriff’s Department helicopter landed near the crime location in a cow pasture allowing a flight officer to approach the assailant on foot. When the assailant continued to beat the toddler despite a police order to stop, the office shot a killed the assailant at the scene. Rescuers tried to resuscitate the toddler, but he died en route to the hospital.   

Adults with unrealistic expectations and poor coping skills are most at risk for engaging in abusive or homicidal behavior. While women are more likely (and more frequently) to be the abusers, men abuse more severely. Children under the age of three years old are the most likely victims of abuse.

Kevin Hernandez is pronounced dead at Sharp Grossmont Hospital after drowning in a back yard pool.

On June 10, Kevin Hernandez died at the young age of 16 months of age. His mother found him drowned in a back yard pool located on San Altos Place in Lemon Grove. EMS was notified and took Kevin emergently to Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Kevin was pronounced dead after measures to resuscitate him failed.  

Lapses in adult supervision, even while parents were home, are very common features of drowning accidents. Unlike adults, young children do not call out for help while in distress, they generally drown silently. The major causes of injury and death are related to environmental factors, such as hazardous structures and pools of water. Because of a toddlers’ lack of judgment, they are at high risk for drowning accidents. For every child that drowns there are approximately five near-drowning episodes in children. Drowning is the second highest cause of injury-related deaths in children between the ages of one and nine years old.   

A tragic accident takes the life of young Daniel Pan in San Francisco. The Keane Law Firm joins the community to offer condolences to his family during their time of grief.

Daniel Pan, 11 years-old, was killed while riding his bike home from school on Friday, March 21^st. Apparently he rode his bike into the path of an oncoming bus that was carrying developmental disabled passengers. The investigation is ongoing and the bus driver has not been charged in this case. Witnesses say the bus stopped at an intersection and proceeded to make a turn. The tall hedges obscured the view on this corner and young Daniel Pan was hit while crossing the street.   

As a child grows from infancy, starts to walk, ride a bike, and drive a car; the child’s risk for injury and death changes with the child’s developmental stage and lifestyle. With the exception of infants, accidents are the number one cause of modern mortality in children. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 – 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents. Sixty-five percent of child pedestrians killed are male. Most pedestrian fatalities occur between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm. A greater incidence of these injuries occurs in the spring as compared to the winter months. The Keane Law Firm supports your efforts to keep children safe.  Please see our website for tips on child safety.

Young Aizik Buno has died. The Keane Law Firm joins the community of Santa Clara County in offering of condolences to the family of this young child.

The two-year old toddler that was found by family members nearly-drowned at Oak Hill Memorial Park has died. He was taken off life support, his heart had stopped. Physicians had declared he was brain-dead prior to his passing.

Young Aizik Buno was found unconscious in man-made pond located on the grounds of the funeral home. He was last seen playing with other children. His family was attending an afternoon funeral service for his great-grandfather. He was rushed emergently to the hospital where ultimately he succumbed to his injuries.

Grieving mother, Sonja Cobb loses son. Young Darnell Cobb choked and died on school bus, no other adult supervision for the children riding on the bus while the bus driver drives the bus

http://wbztv.com/local/school.bus.death.2.642231.html

This five year-old boy died on a school bus while on the way home from school. He choked on a small metal tack commonly used in school materials. The bus driver did not have adult assistance on the bus. There were no other adults to supervise the children while the bus driver drove the bus. How much delay was there as this child choked? Are other small children expected to understand when to call for help? And was the driver able to hear their cries while she was driving? How long did it take for this driver to pull over and call for help? Who initiated CPR or tried to manage this child's airway in the meantime?  See the story for details, there are a lot of unanswered questions.