Tag Archives: PhysicalAbuse

Child Abuse, Child Exploitation, Child Predator, Child Sexual Abuse, Family Secrets, Physical Abuse, Sexual Assault

SANFORD FOSTER PARENT SENTENCED TO 170 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION OFFENSES

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U.S. Attorney’s Office
Middle District of Florida

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Justin Dwayne Johnson, Sr. (48, Sanford) to 170 years in federal prison for four counts of production of child sexual abuse material, one count of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sex abuse material. Johnson had pleaded guilty on July 7, 2022.

According to court documents, in January 2022, an investigation was initiated into Johnson after Child Protection Services was alerted that Johnson was secretly recording his foster children. Johnson disclosed to an acquaintance that he had cameras in his home to record the children in the nude and that he had videos of him touching the children. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized several devices belonging to Johnson. Forensic examinations of Johnson’s cellphone and other electronic devices revealed numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material. Specifically, the evidence showed that Johnson used the children under his care to produce depictions of sexually explicit conduct. Johnson’s cellphone also contained numerous visual depictions of child sex abuse material depicting young children. So far, the FBI has identified at least 18 victims that were sexually exploited by Johnson.

“Protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation is one of the highest priorities of my office,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “This defendant victimized children who were especially vulnerable because they needed the protection of the foster care system. I am proud of the outstanding work by our local and federal law enforcement partners and my office that brought this predator to justice.”

“Instead of offering a haven for foster children, this predator betrayed the children with a home of horrific abuse,” said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker. “The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force is committed to identifying, locating, and recovering the innocent victims of sexual abuse and ensuring their abusers are brought to justice.

“Johnson’s crimes are particularly disturbing, in that he was in a position that is expected to provide protection and care to already vulnerable children, and he exploited that role and further victimized these young children,” said Chief Cecil Smith of the Sanford Police Department. “I hope his sentence brings some comfort to those who he has abused.”

“As you can imagine, investigations of this nature can present overwhelming challenges,” stated Seminole County Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma. “However, the dedication of our teams, their diligence, and the collaborative efforts of the law enforcement professionals assigned to this case resulted in a successful prosecution and a sentence that sends a strong message that there are severe consequences for those who prey upon and exploit the most precious members of our community.” 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Richardson-Jones and Ilianys Rivera Miranda.

This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

Child Abuse, Physical Abuse

$5,000 Bond for Kicking Infant????

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Indifference toward Child Abuse
There is no excuse for Indifference toward Child Abuse

Daycare worker charged after video captures kicking

HOLIDAY, Fla. (AP) — A daycare worker on Florida’s Gulf Coast faces child abuse charges after authorities say video captured her kicking a 16-month-old girl several times.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reports 49-year-old Linda Klemm was supervising children Saturday at Kids Stop-N-Play in Holiday when surveillance video captured Klemm kicking the top of a sleeping child’s head and then dragging the bottom of her foot across the left side of the child’s face. About 10 minutes later, after the child falls back asleep, Klemm is seen forcefully kicking the child.

The child’s mother reportedly noticed abrasions when she picked the girl up later and called authorities. Deputies responded and reviewed the surveillance video.

Klemm was jailed Saturday and then released Sunday on a $5,000 bail. It wasn’t clear if she had an attorney.

Child Abuse, Parenting, Physical Abuse

Second-degree Aggravated Assault????

Mother throws baby into ocean

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Police have charged a 23-year-old woman with second-degree aggravated assault for allegedly throwing her 1-month-old Baby into the ocean in Atlantic City.

Sgt. Monica McMenamin tells The Press of Atlantic City that “Patricia Shurig was seen throwing the infant into the water Sunday afternoon near the end of Pacific Avenue in the city’s Inlet section, then Shurig jumped in”.

Bystanders plunged into the water and pulled the two to shore, and a fisherman gave the

Performed CPR on Baby
Dove into Cold Water and Saved Baby and Mother

Baby CPR. Both were treated at a hospital.
Shurig is being held on $100,000 bail. It was not immediately known if she has a lawyer.

McMenamin praised the “bravery of those men who jumped into the ocean to rescue Shurig and the Baby”.

Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse

Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths Hit 30 Year High Last Year in Illinois

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Child Abuse on the Rise in Illinois

PEORIA, Ill. — Child deaths caused by Abuse and Neglect hit a 30 year high last year, according to the Illinois Department of Children and family services.

But there’s a local organization stepping up to help those children.

The Pediatric Resource Center in Peoria sees an increase in Child Abuse cases every year, both Physical and Sexual Abuse. Already in 2014, they have 10 percent more cases than last year.

“It’s hard for our case coordinators to keep up, it’s hard for the medical staff to keep up. We’re seeing difficulty with DCFS and law enforcement, for them to keep up as well,” said Dr. Channing Petrak, the Medical Director for the Pediatric Resource Center.

When a Ahild Abuse case is reported and a referral is made to the Pediatric Resource Center, the child is given a complete physical, a head to toe exam and any necessary tests. Then that child’s full medical history is reviewed.

“We need to make sure that the child doesn’t have injuries that are unnoticed and that they have testing done for infections that might be unnoticed as well, for their long-term health,” Dr. Petrak said. “It’s also important for the child to know that they’re healthy and they’re okay. That’s very important for the child.”

Officials say the high numbers don’t necessarily mean there are more cases of abuse, it could also mean more people are recognizing the signs of an abused child.

“As the numbers are increasing, we are hopeful that the number of cases that are unreported is decreasing,” said the President of the Pediatric Resource Center Community Advisory Board, Kathy Miller.

The center is funded entirely through grants and private donors. And with the increase in cases means the center needs additional staff to handle it.

“Child abuse is hard to talk about, it’s hard to even think about,” Miller said. “But I believe every child deserves a life that is safe from Physical and Sexual Abuse.”

The Pediatric Resource Center’s “Harvesting Hope” fall fundraiser is Saturday, Oct. 25 at the the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center in Peoria. The event includes live music and a live and silent auction.

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