Why is compression asphyxiation in the news about this 3-year-old boy?

Compression asphyxiation is in the news as the cause of death of a 3-year-old infant who was sleeping in a metal futon-style bed, became trapped and was later discovered. The matter was ruled an accident and a preliminary autopsy report found the boy died as a result of compression asphyxiation, also called chest compression. He must have gotten caught between the rails, was unable to breath and to free himself which obstructed his breathing causing the death.

Nanny Cams and Daycare Abuse

Here is the story from the Des Moines Register. On September 25^th 2009 police charged Melissa Watts with felony child endangerment in a case involving the brain injury of 4 month old Emiliano Ramirez of Urbandale. Allegedly, Watts is not a licensed day care provide. Allegedly, Emiliano was taken to Blank Children’s Hospital on September 15^th 2009 after his grandmother picked him up and noticed that he looked pale, further tests revealed that the child had bleeding of the brain along with retinal hemorrhages. The condition was monitored for several days before the doctors had to drill into the child’s skull to relieve pressure on the brain. According to popular theory the injuries suggest that Emiliano was either shaken or slammed into a soft surface. You can draw your own conclusions.

On the same day another baby was taken to the hospital under similar circumstances. Arayu Rieman was also charged with child endangerment following a similar investigation. Doctors discovered bleeding on the baby’s brain and additional tests found previous similar injuries that were allegedly caused by shaking and were in different stages of healing.

The question of the day is how mothers and fathers can check up on the day care caretakers or the babysitter before the child’s life is endangered? The difficulty of checking-up on what goes on in the center versus what occurs in your home are very different. 

How do you know if the babysitter or someone in your house might be causing injury to your child?

A note of caution is in order for babysitters in your home. I've seen those reports where a parent sets up a video camera and surreptitiously records the image and voice of the babysitter and catches them red handed slapping or tossing the baby around.  That may seem like an easy way to catch the sitter but it may be illegal. I have no time today to research this issue in every state across the nation, so if you plan on doing it call a local lawyer. There is both state and federal legislation on this issue involving electronic surveillance.

NANNY CAMS

Generally speaking it’s illegal to record a voice between two or more people when at least one hasn’t given permission for the recording. Normally this type of “secret” recording has the voice recorder on one of the persons; the person who is authorizing the recording. But when a camera is set up and you’re not home, then there is no person present who has authorized the recording. I know, I know it’s your home and your baby and you’ve given permission for the baby but the baby is too young to give permission and even though technically the parents may be able to give permission as if they were the child, you don’t want to be making that argument in a criminal court.  I’m trying to keep you out of criminal trouble. For you to do this you need to get permission from the babysitter or daycare center person or you need to shut off the sound recording. Another way you could do it is to have the babysitter sign a form giving permission to have their movements and voice recorded. It would have the added benefit of making the babysitter cautions that their behavior with your child may be recorded.

 

Nine more melamine trials in China

Can you imagine a civil justice system where a milk producer would be allowed to manufacture infant baby formula so poisonous that your infant would develop kidney stones or go into kidney failure and the Courts would dismiss your case; or the government that is supposed to protect your child, orders the responsible companies to pay you a measly $290.00 USD (2,000 Yuan) or if your child was really sick with kidney failure $4,350.00 USD (30,000 Yuan).

This is pathetic. Chinese lawyers sued 63 defendants seeking 14 million Yuan in compensation ($2,030,000.00 USD) and the Chinese Courts dismissed the case. The Associated Press reports the following:

“Lawyers seeking to bring a lawsuit against the companies involved say they understand that most children who suffered kidney stones from the tainted milk would get 2,000 yuan ($290), while sicker children would be paid 30,000 yuan.

Chinese courts have rejected all claims filed by the victims' families, including a lawsuit initiated this month by lawyers representing 63 defendants that sought nearly 14 million yuan in compensation from Sanlu.”

This is exactly the system tort reformers want you to buy into. Whether it’s the American Tort Reform Association, What is Tort Reform, Anyway or the American Chamber of Commerce if left unchecked they would do exactly what the Bush Administration did to the banking regulatory system in this country.