January 7-8

I've been off for a bit, but am not wavering on this job.


Again, we see our main themes:

Adults who do not see the inappropriateness of relationships with teens
Leroy Kuffel, 52, a former Round Lake Beach police officer had a sexual relationship with a 16-year old girl (the former girlfriend of his son) (Jan. 7)

In Gainesville, Florida Kerrie Jermaine Bennett, 24, was arrested for the sexual battery and child abuse of an 11-year old girl. The girl reported that Bennett was her "boyfriend." (Jan. 8)


Parents under the influence
Jeffrey Scott Detlefs, 57, was driving drunk with his three children in his car (Jan. 7)

Outrageously -- a case worker for the Children, Youth and Families Department in Las Vegas, New Mexico, has been charged with child abuse. Police found cocaine, crack, marijuana, drug parphernalia and several firearms in 27-year old Justina Romero's home -- within easy access of her 2,5, and 11 year old children. On a side note, the CYFD organization fired its deputy director several months ago for having child pornography on his home computer. (Jan. 8)

Overwhelmed, under-prepared parents/caregivers
Brandy Michelle Wellman, 30, dropped her 3-year old daughter off along a US Highway in Michigan. (Jan. 7)

Matthew Ray Peele, 23, out of Tampa, Florida, who threw a two-year old against a bed frame and dropped her on the floor when she wouldn't stop crying. (Jan. 7)

In Kansas City, Ralph L. Willis, 27, was convicted of the murder of a child in his care. He dropped the child and struck him twice because he "wouldn't stop crying." (Jan. 8)

Cara LeBlanc, 31, from New Hampshire beat her stepdaughter for nine-hours, leaving the girl with broken bones and organ damage. LeBlanc was sentenced to a minimum of six years in state prison. The girl's biological father, Daniel LeBlanc, is also charged with using a piece of wood to beat his daughter and waiting two days before seeking medical treatment for the girl after the beating. (Jan. 8)

In West Virginia, 27-year old William Echard and 22-year old Amber Messenger of Clarksburg were indicted on charges of murder and neglect after throwing their 4-month-old girl against a wooden deck and shaking her to death. (Jan. 8)

Out of El Paso County, Texas, 390-year old Jeremiah Lovato severly beat his 15-year old son. (Jan. 8)

the truly sick
In Lonaconing, Maryland a 27-year old man was arrested for sexual abuse of a 6-year old child. (Jan. 8)

the inexplicable
A 13-year old teen is charged in a gang-rape of an 8 year old girl in Phoenex, Arizona. (Jan. 7)

and the idiotic
In Lincoln, Nebraska -- 24 year old Justin Clark faces charges of abuse after giving illegal tattoos to four teen girls. (Jan. 8)