Investigation: Moms who fail to report child abuse
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — During 2010, nine children in Kern County died at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them. All were under 4 years of age.
In an Eyewitness News review, the child in just about every case had been subjected to ongoing abuse by their mother's boyfriend or a stepfather.
"We have seen that moms in these situations have failed to protect their children," said Karen Cooley with the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council. She's also executive director of Haven Counseling Center.
The most recent child abuse death drawing community outrage is that of 3-year-old Trinity Hanna of Taft. Eric Foster is the suspect charged with her torture and death. Foster is the boyfriend of the child's mother.
Court documents allege that Foster had been abusing Trinity for weeks, including burning her with scalding hot water in the shower. Yet, Angelina Hanna did not report the incident to police and told hospital staff the burns on her daughter were an accident.
The case has people in Taft and elsewhere thinking that the mother must have known something was going on and asking why no steps were taken to protect the girl.
Kern County Assistant District Attorney Scott Spielman couldn't say exactly how often mothers are prosecuted in such cases but said it does happen.
"I've had several times where I have charged both parents, both caregivers," said Spielman.
In order to prosecute a mother for failing to report abuse, the law says a mother must have known that someone else was hurting her child and that the mother still left the child in that person's care.
"That would be permitting a child to be in a situation that could lead to great bodily injury or death, and they can be charged with child endangerment, " said Spielman.
The reasons why some women allow the abuse to continue are many, said Guadalupe Medina.
For 14 years, Medina and her six children were subjected to physical and mental abuse by her ex-husband.
"It's very tough being in a situation like that, because you don't see reality, " said Medina. "You're in your own world."
There is help for women in these situations. The problem is getting them to seek the help they need.
The Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault can help. Its 24-hour hotline number is (661) 327-1091.
In an Eyewitness News review, the child in just about every case had been subjected to ongoing abuse by their mother's boyfriend or a stepfather.
"We have seen that moms in these situations have failed to protect their children," said Karen Cooley with the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council. She's also executive director of Haven Counseling Center.
The most recent child abuse death drawing community outrage is that of 3-year-old Trinity Hanna of Taft. Eric Foster is the suspect charged with her torture and death. Foster is the boyfriend of the child's mother.
Court documents allege that Foster had been abusing Trinity for weeks, including burning her with scalding hot water in the shower. Yet, Angelina Hanna did not report the incident to police and told hospital staff the burns on her daughter were an accident.
The case has people in Taft and elsewhere thinking that the mother must have known something was going on and asking why no steps were taken to protect the girl.
Kern County Assistant District Attorney Scott Spielman couldn't say exactly how often mothers are prosecuted in such cases but said it does happen.
"I've had several times where I have charged both parents, both caregivers," said Spielman.
In order to prosecute a mother for failing to report abuse, the law says a mother must have known that someone else was hurting her child and that the mother still left the child in that person's care.
"That would be permitting a child to be in a situation that could lead to great bodily injury or death, and they can be charged with child endangerment, " said Spielman.
The reasons why some women allow the abuse to continue are many, said Guadalupe Medina.
For 14 years, Medina and her six children were subjected to physical and mental abuse by her ex-husband.
"It's very tough being in a situation like that, because you don't see reality, " said Medina. "You're in your own world."
There is help for women in these situations. The problem is getting them to seek the help they need.
The Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault can help. Its 24-hour hotline number is (661) 327-1091.
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