Judge Denies Bail, Says OKC Sergeant Poses Threat To Public - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |
OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma County judge again denied bail for Sgt. Maurice Martinez, the Oklahoma City police officer who's accused of molesting his adopted son.
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
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Coon Rapids man accused of killing stepdaughter in Michigan for leaving home, not following Islam
Coon Rapids man accused of killing stepdaughter in Michigan for leaving home, not following Islam - TwinCities.com
WARREN, Mich. — A Twin Cities man is accused of killing his 20-year-old stepdaughter in Michigan because she left home and wasn't following Islam, police said Tuesday.
WARREN, Mich. — A Twin Cities man is accused of killing his 20-year-old stepdaughter in Michigan because she left home and wasn't following Islam, police said Tuesday.
Ex-foster father gets 12 years in prison for sexually abusing two boys in his care
Ex-foster father gets 12 years in prison for sexually abusing two boys in his care - TwinCities.com
Two say they were abused as boys
He took young children into his home as a foster parent.
Then he abused them.
A former St. Paul foster father pleaded guilty Monday to sexually abusing two boys in his care.
Two say they were abused as boys
He took young children into his home as a foster parent.
Then he abused them.
A former St. Paul foster father pleaded guilty Monday to sexually abusing two boys in his care.
Father setnenced to 119 years for abusing adopted son
Father setnenced to 119 years for abusing adopted son | colorado, abusing, lovato - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO
An El Paso County man was sentenced Monday to 119½ years to possibly life in prison for what a prosecutor called “horrific” beatings of his adopted son that spanned two years.
An El Paso County man was sentenced Monday to 119½ years to possibly life in prison for what a prosecutor called “horrific” beatings of his adopted son that spanned two years.
Studies: Public favors equal custody for children of divorce
Studies: Public favors equal custody for children of divorce
Contact: Carol Hughes
carol.hughes@asu.edu
480-965-6375
Arizona State University
Studies: Public favors equal custody for children of divorce
Public view favored by most fathers’ groups, say Arizona State University researchers
TEMPE, Ariz. – The public favors equal custody for children of divorce, according to findings in a pair of studies by Arizona State University researchers that will appear in the May 2011 journal Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.
The authors cited polls and ballot initiatives that showed there was great public support for equal custody. But the new research goes further by showing that in a series of hypothetical cases those surveyed had a strong preference for dividing the child's time equally between mother and father, and that was so even when there were high levels of parental conflict for which both parents were equally to blame.
Equally shared custody arrangements are advocated by most fathers' groups, according to the authors, who concluded: "The striking degree to which the public favors equal custody combined with their view that the current court system under-awards parenting time to fathers could account for past findings that the system is seriously slanted toward mother, and suggests that family law may have a public relations problem."
The lead author, Sanford L. Braver, a professor of psychology in ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the studies were conducted as part of an undergraduate honors thesis in psychology by co-author Ashley M. Votruba, under the director of Braver and the other co-authors, Ira Mark Ellman, a professor in ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and William V. Fabricius, an associate professor of psychology. Votruba is now a graduate student in both psychology and law at Arizona State University.
Those responding to the surveys in the studies were from a Pima County jury pool in Tucson, Ariz. Of 643 jurors present throughout the times of the two surveys, altogether 367 chose to participate.
Survey participants in the first study were asked to imagine they were a judge deciding a series of hypothetical cases. In one case vignette, the mother provided 75 percent of the couple's pre-divorce child care-giving duties. In another vignette, the father provided 75 percent of the couple's pre-divorce child care-giving duties. And, in the third vignette, the parental couple was described as having divided the pre-divorce child care 50-50.
"It is important to note that all three vignettes specified that neither parent wanted equal custody, but were instead each requesting 'as much living time with the children' as possible because each now genuinely feels the children would be better off mostly in their care and not so much in the care of the other parent," wrote the authors.
In the scenario where the parental couple split child care 50-50 before the separation or divorce, some 69 percent of respondents thought living time should be divided equally between the parents, and almost all the rest responded: "Live with mother, spend a lot of time with dad."
Braver said he "was surprised that exactly equal time with each parent was also the most preferred alternative in both 75-25 scenarios, selected by just less than half the respondents in each case, and there was no difference between male and female respondents in their judgment of what should happen in these cases."
Respondents also were asked what they thought would happen if the three situations described in the survey questions involved real families "in today's courts and legal environment." Under those parameters, respondents believed the cases would come out differently than they would prefer. Only 28 percent thought the parents in an actual case would be allocated equal living time, even when they had divided child-care duties equally before the separation or divorce. Most predicted the mother would get most of the time with the child in all three vignettes.
"So, our respondents seemed to believe that the legal system was gender-biased," said Braver.
"This perception of what the legal system would do is important because a party's litigation choices might well be based on what they or their lawyers believe courts will do, regardless of whether those beliefs are accurate," according to the authors.
In the second study, one scenario was described as a fairly amicable divorce, while a second case depicted that both parents became extremely angry at each other after the separation, and remained so.
Imagining they were the judge, some 66 percent of the respondents chose an equally shared living arrangement for children in the low-conflict case, nearly identical to the first study. Yet almost as many, 64 percent, made the same choice in scenarios where there was a mutually high conflict situation. Braver noted that "this is far different than what actually happens. High parental conflict is perhaps the most important circumstance that would keep real decision-makers from awarding equal custody. Instead, they'd try somehow to make a choice between the two parents, and limit the time of the other parent with the child."
According to the authors, "in both studies, the public's inclination to favor equal time custody awards survived factual elaborations that would cause most courts and custody evaluations to reject them."
In the report, titled "Lay Judgments About Child Custody After Divorce," the ASU researchers stated that these studies "yield several findings with important implications for family law," including:
In most of the custody cases they were asked to decide, the survey respondents made the judgment that equal custody was strongly preferred, a preference that current law does not generally allow unless the two parties agree.
There apparently is widespread belief that the legal system will fashion custody awards far more favorable to mothers than the respondents believe appropriate.
"Decision-makers need to recognize the widespread opposition to the current standards that award equal custody only rarely. If they think those standards are nonetheless necessary, they need to be more active in defending and justifying their preferences to the public," Braver said.
The studies were conducted in May and June 2008. Females comprised 55 percent of the responding sample, 60 percent were currently married, 36 percent had been divorced, 65 percent had children, and the median age was 51. Some 19 percent of the sample had no more than a high school graduation, while 20 percent had more than a college degree. The median household income was $45,000.
###
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (www.asu.edu)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (http://clas.asu.edu)
Department of Psychology (http://psychology.clas.asu.edu)
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (http://www.law.asu.edu)
Tempe, Arizona USA
Contact: Carol Hughes
carol.hughes@asu.edu
480-965-6375
Arizona State University
Studies: Public favors equal custody for children of divorce
Public view favored by most fathers’ groups, say Arizona State University researchers
TEMPE, Ariz. – The public favors equal custody for children of divorce, according to findings in a pair of studies by Arizona State University researchers that will appear in the May 2011 journal Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.
The authors cited polls and ballot initiatives that showed there was great public support for equal custody. But the new research goes further by showing that in a series of hypothetical cases those surveyed had a strong preference for dividing the child's time equally between mother and father, and that was so even when there were high levels of parental conflict for which both parents were equally to blame.
Equally shared custody arrangements are advocated by most fathers' groups, according to the authors, who concluded: "The striking degree to which the public favors equal custody combined with their view that the current court system under-awards parenting time to fathers could account for past findings that the system is seriously slanted toward mother, and suggests that family law may have a public relations problem."
The lead author, Sanford L. Braver, a professor of psychology in ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the studies were conducted as part of an undergraduate honors thesis in psychology by co-author Ashley M. Votruba, under the director of Braver and the other co-authors, Ira Mark Ellman, a professor in ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and William V. Fabricius, an associate professor of psychology. Votruba is now a graduate student in both psychology and law at Arizona State University.
Those responding to the surveys in the studies were from a Pima County jury pool in Tucson, Ariz. Of 643 jurors present throughout the times of the two surveys, altogether 367 chose to participate.
Survey participants in the first study were asked to imagine they were a judge deciding a series of hypothetical cases. In one case vignette, the mother provided 75 percent of the couple's pre-divorce child care-giving duties. In another vignette, the father provided 75 percent of the couple's pre-divorce child care-giving duties. And, in the third vignette, the parental couple was described as having divided the pre-divorce child care 50-50.
"It is important to note that all three vignettes specified that neither parent wanted equal custody, but were instead each requesting 'as much living time with the children' as possible because each now genuinely feels the children would be better off mostly in their care and not so much in the care of the other parent," wrote the authors.
In the scenario where the parental couple split child care 50-50 before the separation or divorce, some 69 percent of respondents thought living time should be divided equally between the parents, and almost all the rest responded: "Live with mother, spend a lot of time with dad."
Braver said he "was surprised that exactly equal time with each parent was also the most preferred alternative in both 75-25 scenarios, selected by just less than half the respondents in each case, and there was no difference between male and female respondents in their judgment of what should happen in these cases."
Respondents also were asked what they thought would happen if the three situations described in the survey questions involved real families "in today's courts and legal environment." Under those parameters, respondents believed the cases would come out differently than they would prefer. Only 28 percent thought the parents in an actual case would be allocated equal living time, even when they had divided child-care duties equally before the separation or divorce. Most predicted the mother would get most of the time with the child in all three vignettes.
"So, our respondents seemed to believe that the legal system was gender-biased," said Braver.
"This perception of what the legal system would do is important because a party's litigation choices might well be based on what they or their lawyers believe courts will do, regardless of whether those beliefs are accurate," according to the authors.
In the second study, one scenario was described as a fairly amicable divorce, while a second case depicted that both parents became extremely angry at each other after the separation, and remained so.
Imagining they were the judge, some 66 percent of the respondents chose an equally shared living arrangement for children in the low-conflict case, nearly identical to the first study. Yet almost as many, 64 percent, made the same choice in scenarios where there was a mutually high conflict situation. Braver noted that "this is far different than what actually happens. High parental conflict is perhaps the most important circumstance that would keep real decision-makers from awarding equal custody. Instead, they'd try somehow to make a choice between the two parents, and limit the time of the other parent with the child."
According to the authors, "in both studies, the public's inclination to favor equal time custody awards survived factual elaborations that would cause most courts and custody evaluations to reject them."
In the report, titled "Lay Judgments About Child Custody After Divorce," the ASU researchers stated that these studies "yield several findings with important implications for family law," including:
In most of the custody cases they were asked to decide, the survey respondents made the judgment that equal custody was strongly preferred, a preference that current law does not generally allow unless the two parties agree.
There apparently is widespread belief that the legal system will fashion custody awards far more favorable to mothers than the respondents believe appropriate.
"Decision-makers need to recognize the widespread opposition to the current standards that award equal custody only rarely. If they think those standards are nonetheless necessary, they need to be more active in defending and justifying their preferences to the public," Braver said.
The studies were conducted in May and June 2008. Females comprised 55 percent of the responding sample, 60 percent were currently married, 36 percent had been divorced, 65 percent had children, and the median age was 51. Some 19 percent of the sample had no more than a high school graduation, while 20 percent had more than a college degree. The median household income was $45,000.
###
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (www.asu.edu)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (http://clas.asu.edu)
Department of Psychology (http://psychology.clas.asu.edu)
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (http://www.law.asu.edu)
Tempe, Arizona USA
15 Ritalin Facts Every Parent Needs to Know
15 Ritalin Facts Every Parent Needs to Know
Published on Monday May 2nd , 2011
Ritalin has been the prescription drug of choice for ADD and ADHD patients for decades now, and has been considered overall safe for use among those prescribed. However, not all parents, doctors, and professionals agree that Ritalin is perfectly safe or effective. Read on to learn about important Ritalin facts and controversies.
Ritalin use is growing rapidly: The number of children taking Ritalin is doubling every two years, and two million take Ritalin today. Production of Ritalin has increased by nearly 500% in recent years.
Ritalin is not a quick fix: Ritalin takes several weeks to begin working, and it should be used in conjunction with corrective behavioral techniques.
Ritalin can slow your child's growth rate: The use of Ritalin may affect your child's growth rate, weight, and final adult height, especially if your child is 6 years or less. You may have to temporarily stop using the medication from time to time.
With supervised use, Ritalin can help with more than school: Ritalin is typically prescribed for help at school, but teens with ADHD can benefit from the drug in reducing smoking, drinking, injuries, and accidents.
Ritalin can be dangerous with antidepressants: When combined with antidepressant drugs, Ritalin may lead to dangerous reactions including hypothermia, hypertension, and seizures.
Once you start Ritalin, it's difficult to stop: Many children who have started taking Ritalin suffered from side effects, and parents want to take them off. But parents may be targeted for child abuse and neglect when making this decision.
There are resources beyond Ritalin: For those who are not eager to begin a Ritalin treatment, there are other therapies.
Ritalin may not have long term benefits: Ritalin has not been shown to offer patients long term benefits or adjustments such as improvement in social skills or academic achievement.
Abusing Ritalin is very dangerous: Children and adults who abuse Ritalin long term at high doses can suffer from increased heart rate and blood pressure, mood changes, delusions, tremors, and other side effects.
Mentally unstable patients should proceed with caution: If your child exhibits emotional instability, especially drug or alcohol abuse, beware, as they may unnecessarily overuse Ritalin which can lead to dependence, abnormal behavior, or a reduced drug effect.
Children have died from taking Ritalin: Ritalin is safe for many of its users, but it does have serious side effects that can result in death for some children.
When abused, Ritalin can become addictive: Children and teens who overuse Ritalin can become addicted, however, with normal use, the risk for addiction is low or nonexistent.
Ritalin can cause psychosis: Taking Ritalin may result in serious mental or mood changes, especially if your child abuses or overuses it.
There's a Ritalin black market: Even if your child needs Ritalin, he or she may not be taking it, and selling it for profit instead. And it's often not their idea-many are approached by others who want to find out if they'll sell or trade their medication.
Ritalin must be gradually withdrawn: Stopping Ritalin suddenly can be dangerous and lead to unwanted side effects, so it's important to be sure it's right for your family before beginning a Ritalin treatment.
Published on Monday May 2nd , 2011
Ritalin has been the prescription drug of choice for ADD and ADHD patients for decades now, and has been considered overall safe for use among those prescribed. However, not all parents, doctors, and professionals agree that Ritalin is perfectly safe or effective. Read on to learn about important Ritalin facts and controversies.
Ritalin use is growing rapidly: The number of children taking Ritalin is doubling every two years, and two million take Ritalin today. Production of Ritalin has increased by nearly 500% in recent years.
Ritalin is not a quick fix: Ritalin takes several weeks to begin working, and it should be used in conjunction with corrective behavioral techniques.
Ritalin can slow your child's growth rate: The use of Ritalin may affect your child's growth rate, weight, and final adult height, especially if your child is 6 years or less. You may have to temporarily stop using the medication from time to time.
With supervised use, Ritalin can help with more than school: Ritalin is typically prescribed for help at school, but teens with ADHD can benefit from the drug in reducing smoking, drinking, injuries, and accidents.
Ritalin can be dangerous with antidepressants: When combined with antidepressant drugs, Ritalin may lead to dangerous reactions including hypothermia, hypertension, and seizures.
Once you start Ritalin, it's difficult to stop: Many children who have started taking Ritalin suffered from side effects, and parents want to take them off. But parents may be targeted for child abuse and neglect when making this decision.
There are resources beyond Ritalin: For those who are not eager to begin a Ritalin treatment, there are other therapies.
Ritalin may not have long term benefits: Ritalin has not been shown to offer patients long term benefits or adjustments such as improvement in social skills or academic achievement.
Abusing Ritalin is very dangerous: Children and adults who abuse Ritalin long term at high doses can suffer from increased heart rate and blood pressure, mood changes, delusions, tremors, and other side effects.
Mentally unstable patients should proceed with caution: If your child exhibits emotional instability, especially drug or alcohol abuse, beware, as they may unnecessarily overuse Ritalin which can lead to dependence, abnormal behavior, or a reduced drug effect.
Children have died from taking Ritalin: Ritalin is safe for many of its users, but it does have serious side effects that can result in death for some children.
When abused, Ritalin can become addictive: Children and teens who overuse Ritalin can become addicted, however, with normal use, the risk for addiction is low or nonexistent.
Ritalin can cause psychosis: Taking Ritalin may result in serious mental or mood changes, especially if your child abuses or overuses it.
There's a Ritalin black market: Even if your child needs Ritalin, he or she may not be taking it, and selling it for profit instead. And it's often not their idea-many are approached by others who want to find out if they'll sell or trade their medication.
Ritalin must be gradually withdrawn: Stopping Ritalin suddenly can be dangerous and lead to unwanted side effects, so it's important to be sure it's right for your family before beginning a Ritalin treatment.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
War Turning Mexican Kids Into Targets — Or Killers
War Turning Mexican Kids Into Targets — Or Killers : NPR
In Mexico's drug war, children are getting increasingly sucked into the violent narcotics trade. Middle school-age kids are working for the cartels as couriers, lookouts and even assassins. Others are being killed, injured or orphaned in the crossfire.
In Mexico's drug war, children are getting increasingly sucked into the violent narcotics trade. Middle school-age kids are working for the cartels as couriers, lookouts and even assassins. Others are being killed, injured or orphaned in the crossfire.
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