coment

Minggu, 06 Januari 2013

Town launches website amid rape case

The website is meant to combat false information about the case Steubenvillefacts.org includes background information on city officials Throngs of protesters gathered at courthouse in support of alleged victim Steubenville, Ohio (CNN) -- Amid social media pressure and allegations of a cover-up, leaders in Steubenville, Ohio, have launched a website to keep the community updated on a rape case that has consumed the small Ohio town. "With looking at the facts of the case, the rumors, the social media ... we proceeded in setting up SteubenvilleFacts.org that will present only the facts and provide information on the government of the city, as well as the transparency and the timeline of the evidence," City Manager Cathy Davison said at a news conference Saturday. Davison said the website is meant to combat the perception that "everyone in Steubenville is acting or is like the individuals that are involved in the case. That we are a community that is run by football. That is not the case." Two 16-year-old members of the town's high school football team are charged with raping a girl in August. Special prosecutors from the state attorney general's office allege the teens sexually assaulted the girl while she was unconscious. Opinion: Teach young men to treat women with respect var currExpandable="expand16"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2013/01/05/nr-steubenville-alleged-rape-case-savidge-candiotti-update.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130105075729-01-ohio-rape-0105-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand16Store=mObj; Social media, hackers play role in case var currExpandable="expand26"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='crime/2013/01/04/ac-harlow-steubenville-rape-case-updated.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130104120940-steubenville-ohio-aerial-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand26Store=mObj; Steubenville divided by alleged rape var currExpandable="expand36"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2013/01/05/ac-tuchman-ohio-rape-case.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130105022938-ac-tuchman-ohio-rape-case-00004526-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand36Store=mObj; Questions for Steubenville football coach var currExpandable="expand46"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2013/01/05/ac-walter-madison-ohio-case.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130105021324-ac-walter-madison-ohio-case-00025427-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand46Store=mObj; Lawyer: Steubenville photo out of context var currExpandable="expand56"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='crime/2013/01/05/ac-candiotti-non-rape-text-message.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130105022803-ac-candiotti-non-rape-text-message-00000814-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand56Store=mObj; Alleged text: I know you didn't rape me The case gained national attention after The New York Times published a lengthy piece on it in December and the activist hacker group Anonymous posted a video of teenagers in the Ohio River valley town cracking jokes about it. Anonymous and other critics have accused community leaders of trying to paper over rampant misconduct by team members and have suggested that other students took part in the assaults or failed to do enough stop them. Authorities have declined to say whether anyone else could be charged. 'Arcane' 1872 California law cited in overturning rape conviction Some residents have accused outsiders of trying to ruin the reputation of the town's high school football team. Speaking alongside Davison, Police Chief William McCafferty said that several Steubenville residents, despite having no connection to the case, have been harassed and received multiple phone calls because of misinformation. "I have to protect our citizens," he said. Opinion: End culture of rape in 2013 The website includes background information on city officials, noting that most of those directly involved in the investigation didn't go to the same high school as the suspects. "The Chief of Steubenville Police has been in this position for 13 years and is not a graduate of Steubenville City Schools," the site says. "His child attends another school district." The website also addresses the issue of the 12-minute video of the teens making jokes about the incident. "Nothing in Ohio's criminal statutes makes it a crime for someone to ridicule a rape victim on a video or otherwise say horrible things about another person. Further, nothing in the law allows someone who says repugnant things on Twitter, Facebook, or other Internet sites to be criminally charged for such statements," according to the site. "Steubenville Police investigators are caring humans who recoil and are repulsed by many of the things they observe during an investigation. Like detectives in every part of America and the world, they are often frustrated when they emotionally want to hold people accountable for certain detestable behavior but realize that there is no statute that allows a criminal charge to be made." Surviving rape: iReporters speak out On Saturday, throngs of protesters returned to Steubenville in support of the alleged victim and to protest the town's handling of the case. A similar rally was held last month. Several demonstrators donned Guy Fawkes masks, considered symbolic of Anonymous. One protester held up a sign reading "I'm not against Big Red, I'm against rape," a reference to the high school's nickname. Earlier this week, the group announced that it was planning the protest to "help those who have been victimized by the football team or other regimes." Opinion: Why don't some boys see it as rape? if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();}

The Missoni family empire

Honduras sacks envoy after wild party

Ambassador Carlos Rodriguez gave his resignation after it was demanded An employee close to Rodriguez is reported to have thrown the party, attended by prostitutes The scandal follows the U.S. Secret Service prostitution scandal last year (CNN) -- Honduras fired its ambassador to Colombia and said it was investigating reports of an out-of-control party at its embassy in Bogota. Ambassador Carlos Rodriguez was let go to "safeguard national interests and good relations" with Colombia, the Honduran Foreign Ministry said in a statement released Saturday. The ministry demanded his resignation and he gave it. Citing unnamed sources, the El Heraldo newspaper in Honduras reported an employee close to Rodriguez threw a party at the embassy on the night of December 20 that was attended by prostitutes. Amid heavy drinking, party-goers trashed the facility, the newspaper said, reporting that computers and cell phones were stolen. Rodriguez is not thought to have been at the party. The Foreign Ministry said a group charged with looking into what happened will have a report ready no later than Monday. Last year, about a dozen U.S. Secret Service agents hit the clubs of Cartagena, Colombia for a night of drinking that ended with them bringing women back to their hotel rooms. Some of the women received money, and others did not ask for any, but in one case, an agent refused to pay, and the woman summoned a police officer. The agents were part of an advance detail ahead of President Obama's arrival for the Summit of the Americas. if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();} Journalist Elvin Sandoval contributed to this report from Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

When food is a weapon

Studies show that many kids with food allergies are bullied About 8% of U.S. kids have at least one food allergy Talk to your allergist to develop an action plan (CNN) -- In kindergarten, Owen Kellogg came home sobbing one day because another boy at school had told him that he had a peanut, and that he was going to force Owen to eat it. Owen, now 7, is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, said his mother, Haylee Kellogg of Cedar Hills, Utah. In reality, the taunting boy did not have a peanut, but Owen didn't know that -- he just knew that eating a peanut could make him stop breathing. It's hard for parents of food-allergic children to keep them safe at school when there are so many opportunities to eat snacks and meals with unsafe ingredients. For some kids, just touching a certain food or inhaling particles of it could cause a reaction. But on top of the safety question is a social one. A study released last week suggests that almost half of children who have food allergies have been bullied -- sometimes by having food thrown at them. "Clearly, it's an issue for these school-aged children in terms of how they interact with their peers," said Dr. Clifford Bassett, an allergist in New York. "Immediately, when there's a diagnosis of food allergy, there's a little bit of a stigma." The new study furthers the mounting evidence that many kids with food allergies may endure social ostracism while also trying to eat safely. A 2010 study in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology said that 35% of kids over age 5 with food allergies have endured bullying, teasing or harassment. Parents of children with food allergies reported in the study that these incidents -- both physical and verbal -- happened because of food allergies. Food allergy is a growing problem in young people. As many as 8% of children in the United States have at least one food allergy, according to research data. There is no cure for food allergies. The only way to stop a life-threatening reaction, called anaphylaxis, is an epinephrine auto-injector, which allergists recommend that everyone with severe food allergies should carry. Allergists offer skin or blood tests to see what specific foods may cause reactions, but they cannot know how severe those reactions will be -- some people may have only mild symptoms, while others may stop breathing. How to ensure no schoolchild dies of an allergy attack Negotiating school safety Owen's family moved nearly 30 miles from Spanish Fork, Utah, to Lehi, Utah, when Owen was in kindergarten, so that they could live in a school district with some peanut-free accommodations. Peanut products aren't sold at lunch at Owen's school, said Kellogg. When Kellogg learned about the peanut taunting incident, she went to see the school principal. The result was that the other boy, who had also been bullying other kids, was moved to a different classroom. At the bus stop, Kellogg met the woman partly responsible for food allergy awareness at Owen's school: Jessica Norton, whose 11-year-old daughter Grace is allergic to peanuts, soy and various kinds of beans. Grace is the only one of three siblings who has food allergies; so is Owen. When Grace was in first grade, she had to eat her lunch in the principal's office on days that the school served peanut butter, to avoid a reaction from coming into contact with it. This solution was not optimal, in Norton's view. She petitioned the school district to stop serving peanut products, and was successful. John and Jessica Norton, with their children Grace, Emma and Jack. Grace, on the left, has food allergies. Like Owen, Grace also experienced bullying because of her allergy. A boy would often chase Grace around with peanut butter in hand -- once, he touched her face with it, making her break out in hives. She only told her parents a couple of months after it stopped happening. These days, she doesn't get picked on that way, Norton said. "I think she can, kind of, stand up for herself now, and will stand up for herself now," Norton said. Standing up to other adults Norton was surprised by the negative reactions reflected in the CNN.com reader comments about provisions for allergic kids in schools. In a story about the recent bullying study, user "Brad Heddan" wrote, in response to one reader, "how about you keep your sickly kid home? That is what homeschooling is for. (...) we don't have to accommodate your sick kid." And "lorie" wrote, "Many allergies can be life threatening. It is completely unfair and ridiculous to expect 400 other families to change their eating habits because you can't teach your kid not to touch someone else's food." These sentiments were also seen on the comment board on a 2010 story about food allergy bullying. At that time, Norton chimed in explaining Grace's school's situation and adding, "My only thought is this, teaching children compassion for others is a good thing. And frankly, it seems a lot of adults that have made comments on here could use a little compassion too.' Norton has not felt that level of backlash from her efforts to keep Grace safe in her own community. A few parents have made remarks of the "Why do we have to accommodate your daughter?" variety, but generally everyone has been kind and supportive. "We're talking about life and death here," says Norton. "If it were their child's life, they would do everything they could to make sure their child's life is protected." Making people understand Communication with teachers, administrators, coaches, and the school nurse is key to ensuring that a food-allergic child does well, in terms of staying safe from allergens and psychologically speaking, Bassett said. It's also important to talk to a child about bullying, which can have serious psychological consequences, such as anxiety, Bassett said. It's harder to get teenagers to not take risks when it comes to avoiding problem foods and always carrying the epinephrine auto-injector, Bassett said. "Unfortunately the adolescent and child psyche is very sensitive to what people think and say and do," he said. Kellogg is proactive about getting Owen's peers to understand his situation. Every school year, on the first day, Kellogg takes a book called "Allie the Allergic Elephant: A Children's Story of Peanut Allergies." The teacher reads this book to the children in the class so that they better understand what it means to have food allergies. She also brings allergy-safe treats to keep in the classroom so that Owen can have them if someone brings in unsafe sweets to celebrate a birthday. He carries an epinephrine auto-injector with him. "School is the scariest thing for me because a lot of people just don't understand how serious it could be," Kellogg said. Norton also has a routine for the beginning of Grace's school year: Talking to the teacher about foods and determining where the epinephrine auto-injector should be kept. The classroom policy is that if kids ate peanuts for lunch, they are supposed to wash their hands. She and her husband John told their son Jack, who is Owen's age, to keep an eye out for Owen when they were attending the same school -- to tell a teacher if he were being teased. Jack and Owen are still friends. "I just didn't want anyone picking on him and if you have friend who will stand up for you, it makes a big difference," Norton said. Food allergy treatment shows promise A table of their own? When it comes to what the best course of action is in terms of protection from allergens, the plan should be individualized, Bassett said. You want to shield children from harm, but you also want to let kids be kids, he said. The Kelloggs moved to Cedar Hills in May. At Owen's new school, there is a special table where children with common allergies can -- in theory -- sit together for lunch, isolated from kids who bring food that would be unsafe for the allergic group. Owen sat at the table for the first couple of days of school this year, alone. Back that the regular lunch table, Owen takes several precautions. He owns his own lunch box and doesn't put food on the table. He has antibacterial napkins so he can wipe contaminants off the area where he sits. And he knows what peanut butter looks like and smells like, so he can avoid it. However, Kellogg said she believes Owen's school can do more to raise awareness and practice caution regarding food allergies. "I'm going to have to be the Jessica Norton in this school, and go in and make it known that they have to do a little bit more to protect these kids," Kellogg said. When Valentine's Day is dangerous for kids Does your child have food allergies? What's your strategy for allergy protection at school? if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();}

Sabtu, 05 Januari 2013

Child porn suspect ID'd by her tattoos

NEW: A second suspect is arrested NEW: The man is arrested in Tuscon It was the result of tips from the public, officials say Immigration agency's "Operation Sunflower" identifies 123 child victims of pornography, abuse Washington (CNN) -- A high-profile appeal for help from the public to solve three child pornography cases has led to the arrest of two suspects, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Friday. ICE said it took Lance Robert Fries, 43, into custody Friday afternoon at his attorney's office in Tuscon. He faces potential federal charges of production of child pornography and is espected to make his initial appearance in federal court Monday, ICE said. Thursday night, Letha Mae Montemayor, 52, was arrested outside a Los Angeles apartment building after law enforcement officials received multiple tips and located her, authorities said Friday. She is charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography. The two arrests came after ICE asked for the public's help in identifying four suspects in three unsolved child pornography cases. Montemayor, previously known as "Jane Doe," was allegedly involved in one of the cases along with an unidentified man. 245 arrested in U.S.-led child sex abuse operation Fries, called "John Doe" until he was identified, was allegedly involved in a second case, ICE spokeswoman Gillian Christensen said. The suspect in the third case is still unidentified, she said. According to ICE, Montemayor was identified as a suspect through the tattoos and her facial appearance and was arrested less than 10 hours after the appeal for tips. Montemayor is expected to have an initial court appearance Monday. CNN was unable to learn whether she has a lawyer. "This arrest would not have happened without the public's help, and it demonstrates how much individual citizens can do to help law enforcement attack crime," ICE Director John Morton said in a statement issued Friday. Her case involves the alleged sexual molestation of an unidentified girl. Investigators believe the abuse took place about 11 years ago when the girl was around 13 years old, but the pornographic images were widely circulated. ICE posted pictures on its website of an unidentified woman and man suspected of abusing the girl. The woman had very distinctive tattoos visible in the pictures. A criminal complaint alleged the woman is seen in about five images sexually abusing the girl. So far, law enforcement officials have not learned the name or location of the man suspected in the Jane Doe abuse case, and they are still seeking the public's help in finding him. The girl whom the pair allegedly abused also has not been identified. ICE officials said they believe she is now an adult. Nationwide child porn investigation leads to couple's arrest in Oregon Morton made the appeal for identifying the suspects at a news conference Thursday in Washington, when he announced the results of Operation Sunflower. It is an international operation aimed at child pornography and sexual abuse in which 245 suspects were arrested and 123 victims of child exploitation were identified. Late Thursday night, special agents received a call to the ICE tip line regarding John Doe's possible identity. That case involved the sexual exploitation of a pre-pubescent boy by an adult male. Investigators were able to identify the victim and confirm that the boy is now safe. In order to protect the victim's privacy, ICE said it would release no details about his identity or relationship to the suspect. The pornographic images involving the girl were first discovered by ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents in Chicago in 2007. The pictures were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Child Victim Identification Program. ICE determined the images were not related to any known case and the victim hadn't been identified. Through forensic analysis, agents determined the images were taken in the Los Angeles area. A 2001 wall calendar was visible in some some pictures, helping officials determine the abuse happened 11 years ago. In the John Doe case, HSI special agents first discovered the images in Portland, Oregon, in 2006. The material was submitted to the Child Victim Identification Program, which determined the victim had not yet been identified and was not linked with other known child pornography images. "This is truly a remarkable turn of events and it again demonstrates the collective power that can be brought to bear when law enforcement and the public team up to combat the sexual exploitation of children," Morton said. "Those who produce and trade child pornography over the Internet believe they're protected by the anonymity of cyberspace. Through our collective efforts, we're proving these predators wrong and gaining justice for their innocent victims." 18 rescued in child pornography raids, feds say if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();} CNN's Melissa Gray contributed to this report.