Child Abuse

A Severn couple already facing drug and weapons charges after rescue workers and police were called to their house for a report that their child accidentally took methadone are now also under indictment on child abuse and neglect counts. Paul Kristopher Brooks Sr., and his wife, Kimberly Brooks, both 28, are facing 12-count indictments, that include child abuse, firearms and drug charges, a spokeswoman for Anne Arundel County prosecutors said Friday. All charges stem from an incident Sept.

In response to the story about alleged child abuse at John Archer School ("John Archer parents address abuse allegations," March 14), it's unbelievable something like this could happen in Harford County. If the school's teachers are at fault they should be punished severely. If the county board of education doesn't take this seriously, it could happen in other schools. The idea that special needs children allegedly were restrained in chairs for hours is absurd. What has this world come to, and what's next?

Former swimming coach Rick Curl turned himself in to Montgomery County police Thursday morning on a charge that he abused one of his students. Curl, 63, of Vienna, Va., founder of the suburban Washington Curl-Burke Swim Club, allegedly began to sexually abuse his victim when she was 13 in the early 1980s, police said. The sexual abuse progressed from inappropriate touching to a sexual relationship while the victim was age 15 to 18. Police said the abuse occurred throughout Montgomery County, including Curl's former residences in Rockville and Darnestown and the swimming facilities at the Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda.

Children need protection from adults who sexually abuse them, and adults should report abuse when they suspect it ("A better way to help kids," Feb. 6). It should be as simple as that. But although Maryland law requires everyone to report suspected cases of abuse - not just educators, health practitioners and social workers - unlike 47 other states, there is no penalty for failure to meet this important obligation. Those of us on the front lines in investigating child abuse cases see a need for significant penalties for failing to report child abuse.

The Baltimore Sun has, along with other media, followed closely the trial of two brothers accused of animal abuse ( "Mistrial in case against twins accused of burning pit bull," Feb. 8). The pictures of the badly burned dog have generated outrage by concerned citizens throughout our community. The same response occurred recently when cats were also intentionally injured. Our previous mayor created a Task Force on the Prevention of Animal Abuse. While this is an important problem in our community, a far greater problem is the abuse of children of all ages.

Many Maryland lawmakers want to get tougher on people who are required by law to report possible child abuse and neglect. Last week the Senate passed a bill that would impose criminal penalties for failing to report. Although the sentiment is understandable, it may be more important to increase training so that workers responsible for children and families in the child welfare system and their mandated helpers can do their jobs effectively. Maryland is one of about 18 states that requires everyone to report suspected child abuse, according to a legislative audit.

KEONNA EMMONS was shaken so hard that the toddler wound up hospitalized, in critical condition, with severe head injuries. Bernice Gilmore, the Baltimore woman who was caring for Keonna and pleaded guilty in June to assaulting her, had previously lost custody of her son for throwing him against a wall. Keisha L. Carr, a depressed 23-year-old, broke the arms and legs of her eldest son, and within a year brutally killed the boy's infant brother. Sheila Avery lost custody of her son Travon because of neglect, and within a month of his return to her, she thrust the 5-year-old into a scalding bath, killing him. Five months after child-welfare workers took Sierra Swann's oldest child from her because of abuse and neglect, the runaway foster teen was charged with murdering her newborn twin daughters.

Educators, health practitioners, social service workers and police officers are required under Maryland law to report suspected child abuse to local authorities and to their bosses. But the state has no power to prosecute when the law is not followed. That puts Maryland out of step with the majority of states, most of which classify failure to report abuse as a criminal misdemeanor. Arizona, Florida and Minnesota treat failure to report more serious abuse as a felony. Following the scandal that has devastated Penn State University, some Maryland lawmakers and child advocates want to establish criminal penalties for failing to report child abuse.

Police testified Tuesday that a Severn man, whose 5-year-old son lost consciousness last September after drinking methadone that the father acknowledged buying, waited more than an hour after the boy initially became ill to call for help because he "was scared. " The remark came as the trial of Paul K. Brooks Sr., 28, opened in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Brooks is facing child abuse and related charges. Three other charges in the case were dropped last month. In opening statements, defense attorney Peter S. O'Neill conceded neglect and "poor judgment," but said Brooks was not guilty of child abuse.