New kind of child abuse.

grannyshirl · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 05:39 PM

This makes me sick to think about!

I can think of some good things to do to this couple!!

Quote:

Nev. Couple Blame Internet for Neglect
By Associated Press
Sun Jul 15, 7:11 AM

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."

bingding · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 06:25 PM

makes me sick to my stomach!!!

sexysmurf · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 07:32 PM

That's just so sick

aryia · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 07:40 PM

That is awful. I love my online video games, but my kids come first and i only play when my kids are in bed.

refundsrus · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 07:56 PM

there is just no excuse

jeanief · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 09:18 PM

The sad thing is, they will probably be getting those kids back.....

daltonmama · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 11:33 PM

you are probably right...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanief

The sad thing is, they will probably be getting those kids back.....

Plain out disgusting to put it nicely

Addison · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 11:52 PM

I cannot believe that 2 people in this world could watch those children starve to death because of a game!!! 2 of them they had to give each other permission to not take care of those babies. I cannot believe that there are people this sick!!!! I feel guilty if my kids don't get fruit with a meal. Oh boy people are sick. I can't stand it. Those poor babies.

grannyshirl · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

The sad thing is, they will probably be getting those kids back.....

I hope not!

If they do we have to wonder about our legal system!!!!

annadrose · #10 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 10:36 AM

I hate to tell you guys this but there are thousands of situations like this and some right in your own neighborhood. People are idiots and whether video games or stamp collecting either you are a parent or not.

BrendaRawson · #11 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annadrose

I hate to tell you guys this but there are thousands of situations like this and some right in your own neighborhood. People are idiots and whether video games or stamp collecting either you are a parent or not.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cougarskies · #12 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addison

I cannot believe that 2 people in this world could watch those children starve to death because of a game!!!

Me ,either and I wonder if that was really the reason. Video game addiction sure makes a lot better legal defense than plain neglect, though.

jtolpin · #13 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 12:52 PM

I just saw this on yahoo.

Quite sad. Some folks are not deserving to be parents.

Jason

cjs216 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 01:00 PM

In the "not deserving to be parents" category, I nominate:

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=259769

Be sure to read the very last paragrah to get the full effect of this dysfunctional family....

crzy4cpns · #15 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 01:18 PM

This is horrible!!! I am not going to defend drug use as a form of child abuse, but drugs DO alter your brain and mental capacity. I do NOT believe video games do this. I would be willing to guarantee you that the adults were NOT MALNOURISHED and dehydrated which meant they had enough sense to leave the games to tend to themselves!!! There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for this type of child abuse!!!

jtolpin · #16 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjs216

In the "not deserving to be parents" category, I nominate:

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=259769

Be sure to read the very last paragrah to get the full effect of this dysfunctional family....

I just don't get it. A woman (with baby) on the OUTSIDE of the car, while HE drives...

Shes holding onto the baby AND the car...?

Shes LAYING on the baby?

Umm... I'll withhold my judgement on this whack-job until the facts are out. But WTH is she DOING...???

(sigh)

Jason

cjs216 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtolpin

I just don't get it. A woman (with baby) on the OUTSIDE of the car, while HE drives...

Shes holding onto the baby AND the car...?

Shes LAYING on the baby?

Umm... I'll withhold my judgement on this whack-job until the facts are out. But WTH is she DOING...???

(sigh)

Jason

Well, she needed the car to get to work, of course.

grannyshirl · #18 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crzy4cpns

This is horrible!!! I am not going to defend drug use as a form of child abuse, but drugs DO alter your brain and mental capacity. I do NOT believe video games do this. I would be willing to guarantee you that the adults were NOT MALNOURISHED and dehydrated which meant they had enough sense to leave the games to tend to themselves!!! There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for this type of child abuse!!!

I agree!

Quote:

Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine.

I had to wonder if they fed the cat????

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode