Internet Blamed for Child Neglect

[ratito921]

Can you believe this crap? Some people just shouldn't be able to reproduce. :curse:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070716/ap_on_re_us/neglect_internet_addiction


RENO, Nev. - A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.

The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence.

Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care.

"They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games," Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.

Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.

The Straws have been given public defenders. Jeremy Bosler, head of the county public defender's office, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Saturday.

Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency doing warehouse work, according to court records. He received a $50,000 inheritance that he spent on computer equipment and a large plasma television, authorities said.

While child abuse because of drug addiction is common, abuse rooted in video game addiction is rare, Viloria said.

Last month, experts at an American Medical Association meeting backed away from a proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder, saying it had to be studied further. Some said the issue is like alcoholism, while others said there was no concrete evidence it's a psychological disease.

Patrick Killen, spokesman for Nevada Child Abuse Prevention, said video game addiction's correlation to child abuse is "a new spin on an old problem."

"As we become more technologically advanced, there's more distractions," Killen said. "It's easy for someone to get addicted to something and neglect their children. Whether it's video games or meth, it's a serious issue, and (we) need to become more aware of it."

[angela256z]

Yes I read this crap. I know that I waste time on the internet, but if I had a child that would not happen how can you not give you child food? I don't see that happening.

[hectorswife]

This is crazy!! I just don't understand some parents these days, it seems like more and more of these stories are coming out!! Being on the internet is one thing, but letting your little girl's hair get matted with cat urine (the fumes alone could be toxic) and your baby boy's muscles deteriorate... Rediculous!

[Marie]

oh my gosh, how could they let that happen to their children? I mean you know the kids were crying :(

[egonzalez1975]

It's a pathetic excuse for these parents. These poor children were neglected not only physically but emotionally and their parents should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. What is happening to people these days???

It's so sad. I just want to take them home, feed them, and give them lots of hugs. Poor babies!!!! :sad:

[ARodrigues]

Insane...the 11 month old baby weighed 10 lbs..My 2 month old weighs almost 15..

This stuff bothers me so much more now that I have a child of my own.

[ratito921]

yeah and it's sad to say but there are people out there who would be wonderful parents and can't have children and then there are people like this who take it for granted. I hope they get the full 12 year sentence. Just unbelievable

[DaveH]

Deport them both to a desert island.

[egonzalez1975]

Hey DaveH it looks like you have a plane or at least know how to fly. You should offer to take them there!!!! :bounce:

I had to edit that because it almost sounded like I was trying to be a smart arse!!! It wasn't meant in a negative way!!!

[arcoiris]

LOL! A desert island sounds like a dream vacation to me. I hear Johnny Depp owns an island.

[Lachulagreeneyes]

That is just sick! And a maximum 12 month sentence? :curse:

[egonzalez1975]

That is just sick! And a maximum 12 month sentence? :curse:


I was freaking out with you Lachulagreeneyes but it say that it's 12 years. I was about to throw a fit if it was only 12 months. :curse: I'm with you on that one.

[ratito921]

LOL! A desert island sounds like a dream vacation to me. I hear Johnny Depp owns an island.

I personally volunteer to go to his island! So long as he shows up alone! :wink:

[egonzalez1975]

WOW Ratito!!!! LMFAO

[arcoiris]

and in his Captian Jack Sparrow costume. Otherwise, he should just stay home.

[ratito921]

and in his Captian Jack Sparrow costume. Otherwise, he should just stay home.

costume or not I'm so there! yowza!!!

don't worry ellie hubby knows :wink:

[arcoiris]

LOL! Ol' Johnny's been around forever, but when he put on that pirate suit and some mascara he wins sexiest man of the year! So bizarre.

Also, it's so much more adventuresome if you can say "Well, I was on this desert island and then I was ravaged by a pirate. So there. Have some coconuts."

[ratito921]

I love the eyeliner mascara bit. Not many men can pull it off, but that man. Oh good lord help me. That man is so sexy with dreadlocks and mascara and messed up teeth. savvy?

I'd enjoy a good ravaging or two! lol

[nsoto]

Pathetic!!!!

[arcoiris]

Back on the topic, I never knew how stories like this would bother me after having my own son. I never knew I could hurt so deeply. As a parent, I see a world full of babies just like mine, not matter their age. Fortunalty for these two children, they were rescued in time. They will suffer long lasting damage, no doubt, but they at least have the opportunity to thrive. There are so many cases like these splattered acrossed the news, the Dua Khalil Aswad video, man drops 5 year old in the Everglades to be eaten by alligators, ect...
It seems like these stories were few and far between a few years ago, now they are as common as the weather report and garner almost as much attention.
I have always had a major problem with video games. I know most people enjoy them and are hopefully able to separate a game from reality. I can't help feeling that kids (and adults) have been terribly desensitized to killing for sport with no reprecussions. Heck, the military commercial lately show 2 teenagers playing a violent video game, the asks "So you want a real adventure?" In my opinion, that's saying "So you like killing folks? Here's your chance to do it for real." Not excactly peacekeeping material.
Ok, I've ranted quite enough for so early in the morning.

[ratito921]

rant away! It just hurts me that people can treat their children this way. Their own flesh and blood. These children didn't ask to be born, but by having them and keeping them they took that responsibility so why hurt them and abuse them? It's just not right.

[arcoiris]

It's an age old problem, not likely to ever be solved. We will never be able to stamp out parental irresponsibility. Just now on CNN, a newborn baby was found a few hours old in a dumpster. Luckily, an observant resident heard the baby and wrapped it up immediatly. Officals expect it to survive. It was a 7 lb 8 oz healthly little thing. I think all cities have safe drop off points, such as fire stations and hospitals. You know, I'd die a thousand deaths for my son. Even as a teenager, I would have worked my fingers to the bone to keep a baby, had I had one that young. I just can't wrap my head around throwing a baby in the trash, when there are so many outlets for help and opportunity.
I was so impressed with a young teenage mom who gave her child up to a family member of mine. It was a step I'm not sure I could make. However, when the child was born he had all manner of illegal drugs in his system. That was the reason she never went to her dr. appts. Forutnatly, he's a fat, happy, healthy boy meeting all of his develpmental milestones in time. I just never thought that anyone would knowingly take drugs while pregnant. I suspect that is the root cause of cases like these. The stigma of an unwed teenage mother is not there anymore as it once was. They can get free housing, free medical assistance, food assistance, all sorts of things. Why on earth kill a baby like that?

[DaveH]

EGonz, Your right I do. I would be more than happy to drop them out the door from a few thousand feet up. Oops, I'm sorry, the parachutes, what parachutes?

[egonzalez1975]

Exactly!!!! And, if you want I could take the ride with you and push them out!! Just to make sure they don't attack the pilot or anything. :bounce:

[ratito921]

EGonz, Your right I do. I would be more than happy to drop them out the door from a few thousand feet up. Oops, I'm sorry, the parachutes, what parachutes?

:lol:

[arcoiris]

Don't litter up my island!

[ratito921]

Don't litter up my island!

no it will most definitely be a different island :innocent:

[Lachulagreeneyes]

no it will most definitely be a different island :innocent:

Watch Out! That desserted island has cameras! :bleh:

[princesa]

Could we just think they made it to the island and it actually just be the middle of the ocean?? I have 3 boys and I can't imagine ever hurting or "ignoring" them. My world revolves around them and of course this whole visa thing right now.

[jazzette]

I posted twice and need your help but my posts have not shown up so I change my postinging profile and this is a test

[ratito921]

Watch Out! That desserted island has cameras! :bleh:

that's why we'll stay in the hut! lol

[arcoiris]

Stupid cameras. I'll tear them all down.

[ratito921]

Stupid cameras. I'll tear them all down.

such hostility....but for Johnny....anything! :innocent:

[arcoiris]

I have a great hatred for technology at times.

[ratito921]

I know that's right!