Officer offers revealing look into child abuse (Milam County, Texas)

I would never be foolish enough to say that mothers never abuse or neglect children. Of course they do, and there are many blogs and websites that report that abuse. Dastardly Dads reports on fathers because father-committed child abuse tends to be limited to local reporting and under-reported in general, while crimes by mothers are highly sensationalized (Susan Smith and Andrea Yates have their own Wikipedia pages. Can you think of any murderous fathers that do?). In general, abuse by fathers also tends to more violent and more likely to be fatal than the abuse committed by mothers, though you would never know this from the national media coverage on these issues.

Take careful note of all the cases cited by this police officer in Milam County. Do you see a pattern? Interesting that of all the cases that come to his mind--which would tend to be the worst cases--he would recall the abuse committed by fathers. Even though in general, fathers have far less day-to-day contact with children than mothers.

http://www.cameronherald.com/articles/2010/04/15/news/news01.txt

Officer offers revealing look into child abuse
By SONYA CAMPBELL

So far in 2010, there have been 84 confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect Milam County, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles pertaining to child abuse and neglect.

One case of child abuse that stands out in the mind of Cameron Police Lt. Kris Stringer involved the death of a baby girl, who was wrapped in a blanket and beaten for crying too much.

The child suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, he said.

Although attempts were made by emergency responders to save her life, their efforts were unsuccessful.

The child’s father now is serving a lengthy prison sentence, according to Stringer.

That was one case. But there are many others, such as the one involving three siblings who were repeatedly beaten with extension cords.

Stringer said the scar tissue on the youngsters’ legs and back showed the maliciousness of past beatings.

The father in that case also is doing time behind bars.

In general, the officer said, he receives calls each week about children who are suspected of being abused and/or neglected.

As someone who has worked in law enforcement for the past 11 years and the father of six children, he said it is difficult to cope with some of the abuse cases he’s seen — children of all ages with broken bones, spiral fractures and bruises.

“It does take a toll on you emotionally,” he said.

Neglect is another common problem, he said, describing one case where a father got tired of watching his young children and left them at home alone.

In that case, a child, estimated at 2 years old, was found wandering in a street by the grandmother. A younger sibling also was found in the home unattended, Stringer said.

Malnutrition and a lack of cleanliness also are indicators of neglect.

Sexual abuse among children also is common.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s Web site, there are 96 registered sex offenders in Milam County, including 22 in Cameron — many of whom have been convicted of crimes against children.

First on the list is a Cameron man who sexually assaulted a 4-year-old.

Stringer said although the district attorney’s office does a good job of prosecuting such cases, the community needs to do a better job of reporting them.

“Some people don’t want to get involved in other people’s business,” the officer said.

But he noted there is a hotline people can call anonymously to report possible instances of child abuse and neglect — 1-800-252-5400.

Calling that number will allow callers to remain anonymous while still getting help for children who might need it.

That same number can be used to report elderly abuse, Stringer said.