Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Congressman Ron Paul's bill—The Parental Consent Act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft1RDGVq2LA&feature=player_embedded
State settles suit over boy's death for $2.1 million
State settles suit over boy's death for $2.1 million
The state has agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the father of a 3-year-old boy who was beaten to death by his stepfather despite complaints to Child Protective Services.
By Jill Kimball
Seattle Times staff reporter
The state on Friday agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the father of a 3-year-old boy who was beaten to death by his stepfather despite complaints to Child Protective Services.
The boy's father, Michael Ravenell, claimed in the lawsuit that Child Protective Services failed to follow up on his warnings that the child was in danger.
About a month before the death of Michael Kekoa Ravenell, the child's father reported his suspicions of abuse to the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS), which oversees Child Protective Services.
He told DSHS he suspected Michael's stepfather, Noah Thomas, had abused the boy after finding bruises on his son's arm.
Thomas later admitted to police that on May 28, 2008, he punched, choked and threw his stepson against the wall and against a metal bed frame.
Thomas said he was frustrated that Michael would not eat his cereal.
By the time a doctor saw Michael at the hospital, he was dead from blunt-force trauma and swelling of the brain.
DSHS said the social worker in charge of the case did not alert police or investigate the abuse claims — something they are required to do after abuse is reported — due to inadequate training.
The social worker also did not run Thomas' name through the department's computer to check his criminal history, which included multiple felony arrests on child-abuse charges.
In 2009, Thomas pleaded guilty to homicide by abuse and is serving a 50-year prison sentence.
Ivory Wong, the boy's mother, did not face criminal charges but was a co-defendant in the civil case.
DSHS spokeswoman Sherry Hill said the social worker in charge of the case was new and had taken on 30 cases — more than twice the maximum amount social workers are supposed to oversee.
At the time of his death, Michael was the fifth child in six months to die under the watch of the Tacoma office of Child Protective Services and the 18th to have died under the watch of CPS in the past five years.
Hill said Child Protective Services has improved its operations in light of the recent child deaths, now taking more care to evaluate parents and other adults in children's lives.
The settlement will be divided among Michael's father, his younger sister and an estate set up in his name.
Jill Kimball: 206-464-2136 or jkimball@seattletimes.com
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012376827_dshslawsuit17m.html
The state has agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the father of a 3-year-old boy who was beaten to death by his stepfather despite complaints to Child Protective Services.
By Jill Kimball
Seattle Times staff reporter
The state on Friday agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the father of a 3-year-old boy who was beaten to death by his stepfather despite complaints to Child Protective Services.
The boy's father, Michael Ravenell, claimed in the lawsuit that Child Protective Services failed to follow up on his warnings that the child was in danger.
About a month before the death of Michael Kekoa Ravenell, the child's father reported his suspicions of abuse to the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS), which oversees Child Protective Services.
He told DSHS he suspected Michael's stepfather, Noah Thomas, had abused the boy after finding bruises on his son's arm.
Thomas later admitted to police that on May 28, 2008, he punched, choked and threw his stepson against the wall and against a metal bed frame.
Thomas said he was frustrated that Michael would not eat his cereal.
By the time a doctor saw Michael at the hospital, he was dead from blunt-force trauma and swelling of the brain.
DSHS said the social worker in charge of the case did not alert police or investigate the abuse claims — something they are required to do after abuse is reported — due to inadequate training.
The social worker also did not run Thomas' name through the department's computer to check his criminal history, which included multiple felony arrests on child-abuse charges.
In 2009, Thomas pleaded guilty to homicide by abuse and is serving a 50-year prison sentence.
Ivory Wong, the boy's mother, did not face criminal charges but was a co-defendant in the civil case.
DSHS spokeswoman Sherry Hill said the social worker in charge of the case was new and had taken on 30 cases — more than twice the maximum amount social workers are supposed to oversee.
At the time of his death, Michael was the fifth child in six months to die under the watch of the Tacoma office of Child Protective Services and the 18th to have died under the watch of CPS in the past five years.
Hill said Child Protective Services has improved its operations in light of the recent child deaths, now taking more care to evaluate parents and other adults in children's lives.
The settlement will be divided among Michael's father, his younger sister and an estate set up in his name.
Jill Kimball: 206-464-2136 or jkimball@seattletimes.com
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012376827_dshslawsuit17m.html
Former foster son testifies about 'tickling' by Salinas man
Former foster son testifies about 'tickling' by Salinas man
By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Salinas Bureau
Posted: 07/16/2010 05:49:53 AM PDT
Updated: 07/16/2010 05:49:54 AM PDT
An 11-year-old boy Thursday unflinchingly faced the adoptive father he says molested him and his younger brother after they came to him as foster children.
The boy, who was removed from the home of his biological mother because of a prior molestation, said he first enjoyed living with Brett Passineau and his wife. There was a big backyard and toys to play with, he said.
But on a father-sons camping trip in 2005, Passineau initiated "the tickle game," he said.
Identified as Caleb, the boy has assumed a new name and lives in another county with his aunt and brother.
Leaning forward to speak directly into the microphone, the slender boy said Passineau initiated the mutual touching game on multiple occasions, sometimes focusing more on his brother.
That, he told prosecutor Gary Thelander, made him "kind of jealous, because I liked doing it, but I don't like it now."
Passineau, 48, is charged with eight felony counts of committing lewd acts with the boys, who were 6 and 4 at the time. He faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.
Salinas police began investigating the case in 2005, after the boys' aunt, who is now their legal guardian, reported that the boys told her about the molestations. The children lived with her after they were removed from their mother's home, but she released them to foster care because of health problems.
In his opening statement to the jury early Thursday, defense attorney Eugene Martinez
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said the boys had been talking about their prior molestations. He asserted that the aunt, who was allowed regular visitation, made a false, delayed report to police to prevent Passineau and his wife from moving the children to a ranch they bought in Oregon.
As a result of the charges, Martinez told jurors, his client lost the children, the ranch in Oregon, his marriage and a successful business. His Salinas home is nearing foreclosure, he said.
Martinez will continue the cross-examination of Caleb this morning, but has been prohibited from questioning him, or anyone else, about the prior molestations.
Under an agreement between Martinez and Thelander, the jury was told only that the crimes occurred.
Virginia Hennessey can be reached at 753-6751 or vhennessey@montereyherald.com.
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_15531219?nclick_check=1
By VIRGINIA HENNESSEY
Herald Salinas Bureau
Posted: 07/16/2010 05:49:53 AM PDT
Updated: 07/16/2010 05:49:54 AM PDT
An 11-year-old boy Thursday unflinchingly faced the adoptive father he says molested him and his younger brother after they came to him as foster children.
The boy, who was removed from the home of his biological mother because of a prior molestation, said he first enjoyed living with Brett Passineau and his wife. There was a big backyard and toys to play with, he said.
But on a father-sons camping trip in 2005, Passineau initiated "the tickle game," he said.
Identified as Caleb, the boy has assumed a new name and lives in another county with his aunt and brother.
Leaning forward to speak directly into the microphone, the slender boy said Passineau initiated the mutual touching game on multiple occasions, sometimes focusing more on his brother.
That, he told prosecutor Gary Thelander, made him "kind of jealous, because I liked doing it, but I don't like it now."
Passineau, 48, is charged with eight felony counts of committing lewd acts with the boys, who were 6 and 4 at the time. He faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.
Salinas police began investigating the case in 2005, after the boys' aunt, who is now their legal guardian, reported that the boys told her about the molestations. The children lived with her after they were removed from their mother's home, but she released them to foster care because of health problems.
In his opening statement to the jury early Thursday, defense attorney Eugene Martinez
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said the boys had been talking about their prior molestations. He asserted that the aunt, who was allowed regular visitation, made a false, delayed report to police to prevent Passineau and his wife from moving the children to a ranch they bought in Oregon.
As a result of the charges, Martinez told jurors, his client lost the children, the ranch in Oregon, his marriage and a successful business. His Salinas home is nearing foreclosure, he said.
Martinez will continue the cross-examination of Caleb this morning, but has been prohibited from questioning him, or anyone else, about the prior molestations.
Under an agreement between Martinez and Thelander, the jury was told only that the crimes occurred.
Virginia Hennessey can be reached at 753-6751 or vhennessey@montereyherald.com.
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_15531219?nclick_check=1
Ex-DCF Worker Charged With 2 Felonies FDLE: Child Protective Investigator Falsified Records, Led To Child's Abuse
Ex-DCF Worker Charged With 2 Felonies
FDLE: Child Protective Investigator Falsified Records, Led To Child's Abuse
POSTED: Friday, July 16, 2010
UPDATED: 4:29 pm EDT July 16, 2010
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A former child protective investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families' Jacksonville office was arrested Friday on two felony charges, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24285141/detail.html
FDLE: Child Protective Investigator Falsified Records, Led To Child's Abuse
POSTED: Friday, July 16, 2010
UPDATED: 4:29 pm EDT July 16, 2010
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A former child protective investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families' Jacksonville office was arrested Friday on two felony charges, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24285141/detail.html
Leechburg couple sues over removal of children
Leechburg couple sues over removal of children
Richard Gazarik is a Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 724-830-6292 or via e-mail.
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A former Vandergrift couple claims the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau violated their civil rights last year when the agency forcibly removed their four children without legal cause.
Carrie and Jeremy Richard, who live in Leechburg, filed suit Friday in federal court in Pittsburgh against the agency, caseworkers Nicole Williams and Melissa Melville and Vandergrift Borough.
Attorney Alexander Lindsay charged that the caseworkers removed the children from the Richards' home in July 2009 and then filed a criminal charge against Carrie Richard to justify the removal.
The suit charges the defendants with negligence, civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution and inflicting emotional distress.
The suit contends that the bureau held the children in protective custody for 24 hours without a court order and failed to schedule a formal hearing within the required 72 hours.
Lindsay maintains the bureau failed to keep the report confidential as required by law and did not place the children in an "appropriate" foster home.
Williams and Melville went to the Richards' home to investigate a report that Carrie Richard had given a pill prescribed for her son to her daughter, according to the lawsuit. The next day, the caseworkers returned with a police officer and took custody of the children. On July 23, police filed a felony child endangerment charge against the Richards.
"These charges were filed without probable cause and without any reasonable basis and filed solely to support the illegal seizures of the children in question ... ," Lindsay wrote.
The district attorney's office eventually dismissed the charge.
Lindsay said the investigation should have concluded when the caseworkers learned the charge was unfounded.
In August, the former husband of Carrie Richard was awarded custody of three children; her mother was granted custody of the fourth.
County attorney Mark Geselman declined to comment.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_690771.html
Richard Gazarik is a Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 724-830-6292 or via e-mail.
By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A former Vandergrift couple claims the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau violated their civil rights last year when the agency forcibly removed their four children without legal cause.
Carrie and Jeremy Richard, who live in Leechburg, filed suit Friday in federal court in Pittsburgh against the agency, caseworkers Nicole Williams and Melissa Melville and Vandergrift Borough.
Attorney Alexander Lindsay charged that the caseworkers removed the children from the Richards' home in July 2009 and then filed a criminal charge against Carrie Richard to justify the removal.
The suit charges the defendants with negligence, civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution and inflicting emotional distress.
The suit contends that the bureau held the children in protective custody for 24 hours without a court order and failed to schedule a formal hearing within the required 72 hours.
Lindsay maintains the bureau failed to keep the report confidential as required by law and did not place the children in an "appropriate" foster home.
Williams and Melville went to the Richards' home to investigate a report that Carrie Richard had given a pill prescribed for her son to her daughter, according to the lawsuit. The next day, the caseworkers returned with a police officer and took custody of the children. On July 23, police filed a felony child endangerment charge against the Richards.
"These charges were filed without probable cause and without any reasonable basis and filed solely to support the illegal seizures of the children in question ... ," Lindsay wrote.
The district attorney's office eventually dismissed the charge.
Lindsay said the investigation should have concluded when the caseworkers learned the charge was unfounded.
In August, the former husband of Carrie Richard was awarded custody of three children; her mother was granted custody of the fourth.
County attorney Mark Geselman declined to comment.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_690771.html
International class action Filed Please join-U.S IS Included!
International class action Filed Please join. Johnshow details 7:38 AM (4 hours ago)Ian Evans July 16 at 3:25pmDear All,
The Class Action has been filed in Courts now including the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court and the Supreme Court.
Now we need YOU to help us!! We are looking for more names to be added to the list (that is already into the hundreds) and for you to spread the word, outside facebook!!
Anyone can inbox either myself or James Moore to be included in this action, or email us via the website! Even if you just need to know what this action is all about, just ask us!
http://www.freedom-advocacy-law.co.uk/
We are doing everything to make this biggest fight for children and parents ever, but we need you to help! Its you who have the strongest fight for your children, so make it something they cannot ignore and join the Class Action.
Sam Hallimond. The U.S. IS included!
Freedom Advocacy & Law - Home
www.freedom-advocacy-law.co.uk
The Class Action has been filed in Courts now including the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court and the Supreme Court.
Now we need YOU to help us!! We are looking for more names to be added to the list (that is already into the hundreds) and for you to spread the word, outside facebook!!
Anyone can inbox either myself or James Moore to be included in this action, or email us via the website! Even if you just need to know what this action is all about, just ask us!
http://www.freedom-advocacy-law.co.uk/
We are doing everything to make this biggest fight for children and parents ever, but we need you to help! Its you who have the strongest fight for your children, so make it something they cannot ignore and join the Class Action.
Sam Hallimond. The U.S. IS included!
Freedom Advocacy & Law - Home
www.freedom-advocacy-law.co.uk
Friday, July 16, 2010
Universality of Grief Experienced by Mother's Who Lose Children to Adoption
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=129dddf26c94dbf8&mt=application/pdf&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D47167b6cfa%26view%3Datt%26th%3D129dddf26c94dbf8%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dattd%26zw&sig=AHIEtbQv9st4ad8Jva0TUgvO0x8B4Spbhw
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