Archive for the 'Child Abuse' Category

Another Dead 2 Year Old

Another two-year-old Oklahoma child has died and allegedly at the hands of someone that was supposed to care for him.
The latest victim of alleged child abuse is Kelynn Eric Byrd, of Coweta, Oklahoma.

Reportedly the boy’s mother and her live-in-boyfriend Michael Hernandez, 23, got into an argument and the mother left to visit a neighboring apartment, [...]

5 Yr. Old Boy Shot Dead

Five-year-old Austin Haley was shot in the head and killed Friday night when a Noble, OK police officer shot at a snake killing it and apparently the five-year-old. The boy was fishing at a pond nearby with his grandfather Jack Tracy at the time.
Speaking of the 9mm bullet, Tracy said, “It went right through [...]

Raye Dawn Smith Guilty

Raye Dawn Smith, charged with child abuse/permitting child abuse, in the death of Kelsey Smith-Briggs, age 2, was today found guilty of enabling child abuse by a Creek County jury in Bristow.
The jury recommended a 27 year prison sentence.
Formal sentencing is currently set for August 23rd.
News media coverage:
Mother guilty in Kelsey Briggs abuse case
Mother Convicted [...]

Raye Dawn Smith Trial Starts

The trial of Raye Dawn Smith, accused with child abuse/permitting child abuse, in the death of Kelsey Smith-Briggs, age 2, is set to start today in Creek County District Court in Bristow. The trial was moved to Bristow owing to concerns over finding an impartial jury in Chandler.
The prosecution will be led by Richard [...]

Felons As Foster Parents

Yesterday the Oklahoma Supreme Court temporarily blocked media access to the identities of foster parents.
This after the Department of Human Services argued it would deter felons from seeking to care for foster children.
Say what?
Yes, you read that right.
DHS does NOT want to DETER convicted felons from being foster parents.
Who wants convicted felons to be foster [...]

DHS Horror Stories

Newsok.com coverage of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services continued on Sunday with two interesting reports.
The first DHS slow to close day cares lays out the crux of the problem while the second Examples of day cares that stayed open a while despite serious problems should send a cold chill down the spine of anyone [...]