Mother kills 5 year old daughter raped by her boyfriend
Big News Network.com Saturday 31st October, 2009

A South African woman has been charged with murdering her two children, a girl and a boy aged 5 and 3.
A South African woman has been charged with murdering her two children, a girl and a boy aged 5 and 3.

The murders are believed to have been carried out to protect the 24-year-old woman's boyfriend, who last month raped the 5 year old at the family's home in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, kraal.

The woman, Zanele Mngadi, covered up the rape however her family learned of it on Sunday and reported it to police.

The man accused of the rape appeared in court on Monday. The woman went to the court to support her friend and returned home to her children. The following day she allegedly murdered the children so that in her view there would be no evidence to convict her friend.

Police opposed bail at Friday's hearing.

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PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 19 PA-CHOP-carseats-stdy

Boosters especially effective in side impact crashes

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A study released today in Pediatrics by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers updated evidence that children ages 4 to 8 who are restrained in the rear seat of a car in a belt-positioning booster seat are 45 percent less likely to be injured in a crash compared with children using a seat belt alone. Furthermore, the study showed there was no difference in the level of protection offered by backless versus high back booster seats. Of those riding in booster seats, children involved in side-impact crashes saw the greatest reduction in injury risk.

Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Injury Research and Prevention studied more than 7,000 children ages 4 to 8 involved in real-world crashes between 1998 and 2007.

"We wanted to take a fresh look at booster seats' effectiveness to reduce injury among this age group, because when we first evaluated the protective benefits of booster seats in 2002, most children using them were 4 and 5 years old," explains lead researcher Kristy Arbogast, Ph.D., Director of Engineering at CHOP's Center for Injury Research and Prevention. "Since then, usage rates among older kids ages 6- to 8 have tripled, and we wanted to be sure these older kids were as well-protected by booster seats as the younger ones, now that we had more data. We found that injury reduction offered by booster seats remains significant even when a greater proportion of older children are included in the study."

Researchers attribute the sharp increase in booster seat use among older children, in part, to many states passing upgrades to their child restraint laws that require booster seats for children older than age 4. The upper age limit of these booster laws varies by state and ranges from 6 through 8 years. Passage of these laws is associated with a nearly 40% increase in child restraint use among children up to age 8. While 47 states have booster seat laws, only 25 states and the District of Columbia require booster seats for children up to at least age 8. Florida, Arizona, and South Dakota have no booster seat law. The CHOP researchers recommend policymakers work to close these gaps in the laws to cover children to at least age 8 so that parents have the best information to protect their children.

"Based this new analysis of a decade's worth of data on children involved in crashes, policymakers, pediatricians and health educators should continue to recommend as best practice the use of belt-positioning booster seats once a child outgrows a harnessed based child restraint until he/she is at least 8 years of age," says Dennis Durbin, M.D., M.S.C.E., Co-Scientific Director of The Center for Injury Research and Prevention and study co-author. "Additionally, these results can give confidence to parents and health educators that choosing between a high back versus a backless booster seat for their child does not represent a compromise in safety."

More information about this study, along with videos and fact sheets for parents about how to choose and install the right child restraint for your child and you vehicle are available at www.chop.edu/carseat. Additionally, an up-to-date chart of state booster seat laws and information is available at http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric health care professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

About The Center for Injury Research and Prevention
The Center for Injury Research and Prevention (formerly TraumaLink) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was established in 1998 to advance the safety of children and young adults through science. Operating with the central belief that children are not small adults, the Center's multidisciplinary team of researchers work to reduce injuries- the leading cause of death and acquired disability among the young. The Center's research is organized around three disciplines: epidemiology/ biostatistics, engineering, and behavioral science. Based on the research questions at hand, the Center draws from CHOP and University of Pennsylvania-based expertise in emergency medicine; pediatric trauma; surgery; nursing; social work; pediatric and adolescent medicine; epidemiology and biostatistics; bioengineering; computational engineering; psychology; behavioral science; communications; and health education. Center findings are published in scientific journals and translated into recommendation and education tools for parents, educators, policymakers and product manufacturers. For more information on the Center and its research initiatives, visit www.chop.edu/injury.

CONTACT: Dana Mortensen
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
mortensen@email.chop.edu
267-426-6092

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

children, safety, parenting, health

He is the beautiful baby boy she feared she might never live to see.

When Sharon Pentleton was five-months pregnant, a virulent case of swine flu left her fighting for life.

Plunged into a coma, the 27-year-old was airlifted abroad for emergency treatment. The prospects for her and her unborn baby were bleak.

Sharon Pentleton pictured with baby son, Spencer

Miracle: Sharon Pentleton holds Spencer, the son she feared she would not meet

But yesterday, after an amazing fight back to good health, the proud new mum welcomed her son Spencer home for the first time.

Beaming with joy, she said: ‘I can hardly believe  he’s here.’

Only four months ago, Miss Pentleton was fighting for her life after becoming one of the highest-profile victims of swine flu.

Suddenly struck down by the disease, she was rushed to Sweden for specialist treatment to keep her body working as the infection ravaged her lungs.

Her terrified family could only hope and pray after Miss Pentleton went into a coma for two weeks.

They waited at her bedside to see whether doctors could save her – and whether there was any hope of protecting her unborn child.

In the darkest hour, medics warned that the outlook was bleak. The family was told Miss Pentleton might not survive – and, even if she did, her baby might suffer either because of the disease or because of the extreme treatment she was undergoing.

But, this week, Miss Pentleton gave birth to Spencer, a healthy boy weighing 6lb and 141⁄2oz.
Brian Muirhead and Sharon Pentleton with their baby son Spencer

Then there were three: Brian and Sharon cuddle baby son Spencer

Last night, as she took him to the home she shares with partner Brian Muirhead, she said: ‘He’s the beautiful baby boy I thought I’d never live to see. I feel great to be home with him – I can hardly believe he’s here. Having Spencer home makes all that happened seem like a nightmare that is all in the past now.’

And Mr Muirhead, 30, said: ‘I’m just so happy that they’re home and everything’s OK.

‘There was a point when I thought neither of them would make it – it’s just amazing they’re here now.’

Read more here

This story made me happy especially after all the sad and horrific news going on in the world, like my previous post on Michael Brewer, the teen who was burned by his peers.

h1n1, swine flu, pregnancy, motherhood, children

(CBS) The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was set on fire by his classmates said on "The Early Show" that violence among children needs to stop.

Valerie Brewer said what happened to her son Michael Brewer is "disgusting."

"Our country, our world, needs to wake up and see what is going on with our children," she said. "They need to do something. This has got to stop. It's not just my son. It's everybody's children. This could happen to somebody else and God forbid -- I don't wish this agony and torture on anybody. We have got to do something to make this violence stop today."

Five Charged With Setting Teen on Fire

Michael has burns on 65 percent of his body after he was doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire. Five boys, who are all 13 to 15 years old, have been charged in the attack.

Broward County police say Michael owed one of the suspects Matthew Bent $40 for a video game. When he didn't pay up Bent allegedly tried to steal a $500 custom bicycle, belonging to Brewer's father. And when Brewer called the cops, police say, Bent wanted revenge.

Sheriff Al Lambert said, "This group of kids thought, that because the kid may have snitched him out, and turned him in because they were trying to steal his dad's bike, they felt in their mind, it was OK to set him on fire."

Fifteen-year-old Denver Jarvis is accused of dousing Brewer with rubbing alcohol. Jesus Mendez, also 15, is accused of flicking the lighter.

Detective Steve Feeley said, "(One suspect) told him pour it on him, pour it on him at which time a second suspect poured it on, then a third suspect lit him on fire."

Brewer ran and jumped into a pool, but it took a man with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Authorities say Bent and Jarvis laughed when they were questioned about the attack.

Sherry Jarvis, the suspects' mother told CBS News, "They're good kids, they have good grades, no problems in school. Wrong place, wrong people."

As for Michael Brewer, he is fighting for his life in Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he's expected to remain for months. Michael's doctor, Dr. Nicholas Namias, the director of the Burn Center at Jackson Memorial, said Michael is "doing as well as we could hope someone could do with this condition."

Read more on this tragic story here and listen to the interview with his mom.

I am so disheartened and saddened by this story, though it's not the first time teens have been known to set one another on fire or bludgeon one another to death. The worst thing is that these kids were supposedly 'good kids'. What happened and what were they thinking when they chose to set one of their peers on fire with alcohol?? Don't they have a sense of respect?? Weren't they taught compassion?? You don't have to love or even like someone, but the golden rule should always apply in any situation, whether someone owes you money or not, there is never an excuse to treat a fellow human being, or animal for that matter, like this!

God forbid this child dies, but he has a long way to go now to recover with 65% of his body having burns. Four out of the five teens who were responsible may be tried as adults from what I understand, which means they could face imprisonment for life in an adult facility rather than a juvenile facility. I agree whatever the punishment in this case, they deserve at least life in prison for this unacceptable behavior. Parents need to remind their kids nothing is more valuable than life itself, money and things are never worth the life of another and their own life or freedoms.

The scary thing is, this could happen to any child, any parent and family can suffer from this sort of tragedy. Somehow we must instill morals and values upon our kids that reflect the importance of life. Our culture is too supportive of a culture of death, when we legalize the murder of babies in the womb as a form of birth control or a 'choice' to end an unwanted pregnancy. Rather than teaching that it is a 'choice' to abort a baby why not teach about responsibility, self control, self respect and appreciation for life and others??

If you would like to help Michael Brewer and his family, go to CBS 4's Neighbors 4 Neighbors.

Related:

Listen to the frantic 911 call (heartbreaking, you can hear the screams in the background, such a cute kid, this should not have happened, should never happen to anyone's child!!) Listening to this call with this sweet boy in the background just breask my heart over and over....I pray to God he will overcome this tragedy.

My thoughts and prayers are with Michael and his family. How tragic, I hope and pray he recovers and lives to see those who did this to him punished.

burn victim, teen, parents, news

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

First grader Zachary Christie was recently suspended for bringing a Cub Scout camping utensil with him to school. The utensil combines a fork, spoon and a knife into one tool and Christie wanted to use it at lunchtime. His school has a "zero-tolerance" policy on weapons and the camping tool violates the district's rule. He is facing 45 days in the district's reform school. Did school officials go too far?

Read more 6-Year-Old Scout Suspended for Bringing Knife-Fork-Spoon Utensil to School

I would say the school district definitely needs to review these cases on a case by case basis, sure the tool could have gotten into the wrong hands, but the intent of the child was not to harm anyone. If it had gotten into the wrong hands or if it were used to harm someone or threaten someone then some sort of reprimand might be necessary,but to enforce this no tolerance policy on this innocent six year old who may not have even understood the rule is outrageous, this punishment does not fit the crime.  What are your thoughts, please share below in the comments and take the related poll here.

Thankfully,since first writing this earlier in the week, it appears the media and public outcry has caused the district to reconsider their 'zero tolerance policy'.  Zachary was able to return to school this week. In another related case,there is a Rough Road Ahead for New York Eagle Scout as School District Won't Budge on Pocketknife Suspension. In this case, the teenager had survival gear locked in his car, which included a pocketknife. Somehow they found out about it and now he is at risk of losing acceptance to West Point, a lifelong dream.

Once again the school policy is extreme and the punishment does not fit the crime. He received a 20 day suspension, but it will also go on his academic record ruining his acceptance to West Point.

From twitter:
via@TimOwensby Another example of government school stupidity! http://bit.ly/kwyLu and you want them to control #healthcare too? #ocra #hcr #hc09 PLS RT!

• N&O (local newspaper) printed my letter to the editor about Cub Scout Zachary Christie -- http://bit.ly/Ta7EH

  CBurkeBtB

• 

  Spoon-Wielding Boy Scout Goes Back to School: Zachary Christie returns to school today after being suspended. http://bit.ly/DT5td

  WADC_news

• 

  Spoon-Wielding Boy Scout Goes Back to School: Zachary Christie returns to school today after being suspended. http://bit.ly/kRcdO

  NBCConnecticut

• Boy suspended over utensil gets reprieve: First-grader Zachary Christie loves his Cub Scout camping utensil so .. http://bit.ly/soDaA

  msnbc_msn

• 

  Zachary Christie suspended for bringing boy scout 'eating' utensil to school..Hello, anyone paying attention to what's happening in Chicago?

  SeanRConrad

• 

  http://bit.ly/SNRed CUB SCOUT ZACHARY CHRISTIE will be allowed back in school. On the other hand, here’s another idioti…

  SayfieNewsRed

• 

  CUB SCOUT ZACHARY CHRISTIE will be allowed back in school. On the other hand, here’s another idioti…: CUB SCOUT.. http://bit.ly/15RBfY

  instapundit

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ATLANTA (AP) — As the first wave of swine flu vaccine crosses the country, more than a third of parents don't want their kids vaccinated, according to an Associated Press-Gfk poll.

Some parents say they are concerned about side effects from the new vaccine — even though nothing serious has turned up in tests so far — while others say swine flu doesn't amount to any greater health threat than seasonal flu.

Jackie Shea of Newtown, Conn., the mother of a 5-year-old boy named Emmett, says the vaccine is too new and too untested.

"I will not be first in line in October to get him vaccinated," she said in an interview last month. "We're talking about putting an unknown into him. I can't do that."

The AP poll found that 38 percent of parents said they were unlikely to give permission for their kids to be vaccinated at school.

The belief that the new vaccine could be risky is one federal health officials have been fighting from the start, and they plan an unprecedented system of monitoring for side effects.

They note that swine flu vaccine is made the same way as seasonal flu vaccines that have been used for years. And no scary side effects have turned up in tests on volunteers, including children.

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appealed for widespread inoculation against swine flu, vouching unconditionally for the vaccine: "We know it's safe and secure."

The AP poll, conducted Oct. 1-5, found 72 percent of those surveyed are worried about side effects, although more than half say that wouldn't stop them from getting the vaccine to protect their kids from the new flu.

Giving flu shots to schoolchildren is also an idea many parents are still getting used to. It was only last year that the government recommendation kicked in for virtually all children to get it. Seasonal flu vaccination rates for children last year ranged from about 48 percent for toddlers to about 9 percent for teens.

Read more

Related links:
Remembering the Swine Flu "Debacle" of 1976
Health Departments Deciding Who Gets First Swine Flu Vac
Wary Americans Told: H1N1 Vaccination Is Safe, Get It
Wife Of H1N1 Flu Victim Says He Was Healthy
Mohave County reports its first swine flu death
Parents: Have Questions About H1N1 Vaccine?
How to tell if you've got swine flu
Swine Flu? Check Your Symptoms
Parents of boy who died from H1N1 speak out

vaccination, swine flu, h1n1, safety, parents, awareness, health care

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education, government, politics, parents