WELCOME LEIGH ANN ERDMAN

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is proud to announce Leigh Ann Erdman as their new Executive Vice-President. Leigh Ann accepted this position effective today, February 28th. Leigh Ann has very impressive credentials and we are very honored that she has accepted this position. She will be a huge asset to our Board of Directors.

Leigh Ann’s credentials are quite extensive. She is a graduate of Chapman University Master with a degree in Healthcare Admin; graduate of Troy State University with a Bachelor of Science Resource Management; Board Certified in Emergency Management; Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (2005-2006); Victim’s Advocate (2012- present); and 30-years in the USAF (1984 – present).

Leigh Ann has also spent a great majority of her spare time as a Small and Large Animal Rescue Transporter (1999 – present). She is an active child and animal abuse advocate and has a dream to start a therapeutic equine riding ranch for abused children in the near future.

Welcome Leigh Ann!

VIDEO OF ASSAULT WAS SHARED ON FACEBOOK

The Orangeburg County Sheriff was alerted to a video shared on Facebook depicting a toddler performing a sexual act on an Orangeburg teenage girl. The report from Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell says that a number of area law enforcement agencies received calls regarding the video. Orangeburg Deputies followed up on a tip from one concerned citizen that provided the identity of the teen and location of the incident, and did place the 14-year-old girl under arrest for criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Sheriff Deputies say the video was recorded by the girl, and then sent to a male friend. READ MORE HERE

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — A woman is charged with murder after police say she held her young daughter under water in a bathtub and drowned her two days before Christmas. Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday on reports of a 6-year-old who had drowned in a bathtub. When squads arrived they found a female later identified as the child’s mother standing by a fire truck. When they approached her the woman, 25-year-old Kayla Marie Jones, threw her hands up in the air as if she was surrendering. As an officer arrested Jones and put her in the back of a squad car, she noticed the suspect’s clothes were soaking wet. READ MORE HERE

MOTHER CLAIMS THEY WERE ABDUCTED

The body of an infant was found in Yolo County Wednesday morning by investigators searching for a missing 20-day-old boy. The body was found at about 9:50 a.m. in a thicket on the south bank of Ridge Cut Slough west of Knights Landing by deputies with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office marine patrol search and rescue unit. Investigators have not identified the body as that of Justice Rees, who had been reported missing Monday along with his mother, 23-year-old Samantha Green. READ MORE HERE

LIBERTY, Missouri – A little boy says he was beat up so badly at school that police had to be called. His mom says she’s now scared for both her kids and the response from viewers has been incredible. The Kitchen family sends two boys to school at Liberty Middle School. There are anti-bullying signs everywhere, they said, but that wasn’t enough to stop what happened to their youngest son. Blake Kitchen, 12, has been through a lot this week. He won’t be in school for a while after an assault last Thursday landed him in the hospital for five days. READ MORE HERE

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A mother accused of brutally stabbing her 4-year-old son outside a northwest Harris County home is behind bars while her son is fighting for his life. Jenea Mungia is charged with felony injury to a child. The attack happened at a home in the 14900 block of James River at Arcadian Shores Drive. READ MORE HERE

Texas 4-year-old critical after mom allegedly stabbed him

Mugshot released of mom accused of stabbing 4-year-old son

Man wanted for death of child

Montgomery, Alabama – A man who served prison time for setting his dog on fire is now accused of killing a child. Montgomery police say Juan Daniels drove his SUV through an apartment at the Plaza at Centennial Hill on Feb. 12 following a dispute with another man. In the process, Daniels hit 6-year-old Aiden Howard who was visiting the apartment with his mother. Aiden suffered severe injuries and died at an unspecified local hospital 10 days later, according to police. READ MORE HERE

DOC responds to Juan Daniels’ past as massive search continues

Paul Byrd must register as a sex offender every 90 days for life

FRANKLIN, Ohio —A Franklin man has been sentenced for sexual battery. Paul Byrd, 64, pleaded guilty to sexual battery and gross sexual imposition involving a child under 13. According to officials, Byrd had sexual contact with the victim December of 2013. READ MORE HERE

GEORGETOWN, Colorado — An Idaho Springs woman and her boyfriend have been charged with child abuse resulting in death. In May, Haley Stanfield is alleged to have shook her 15-month-old baby and neither she nor her boyfriend Joshua Olsen pursued medical care for the little boy for three days despite witnessing signs of medical problems, according to the Clear Creek District Attorney’s Office. The boy, Logan Borchik, later died. READ MORE HERE

KENTWOOD, Michigan— Police are investigating the death of a 3-month-old baby who may have died at a Kentwood home child care center.

Cooper Fales died Thursday evening. Kentwood police say the cause of his death has not been determined. Grand Rapids police were called to Cooper’s home at around 6 p.m. on Feb. 19. Investigators say Cooper’s father picked him up at Bridges Day Care, LLC on Pinetree Ave. SE in Kentwood. The infant had already been placed in his carrier with a cover over the top to keep him warm.

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania –  A 22 year old Lancaster City father is charged with Child Abuse after allegedly breaking his 7 month old child’s arm. City police and EMS responded at about 1:23 pm Wednesday to 102 Locust Street, Apartment 3 for a report of an injured child. They found the infant suffering from an apparent arm injury.  The child was transported to Lancaster General Hospital, where it was discovered that the child’s arm was fractured. READ MORE HERE

How to Spot A Sex-Offender 101

The information that I want to share was gathered in a five-year “field study” in which I lived with, worked with, socialized and shared daily therapy with hundred of sex-offenders. This information is not born of debate or ivory tower theories, but from experience, including my own journey, which I published in book form, with the blessings of those men who shared. The basis of this disorder is trauma; the nature of it is insidious, widespread, dangerous and often subtle. A combination of behaviors in certain settings, in context, can provide a signal, a warning – a discordant note – possibly saving the innocence of a child without destroying all innocent bystanders. These are the common themes, and certainly not all offenders fit them. Offenders often appear normal and blend into mainstream society. My intent is to shine a light on these individuals while at the same time not casting dispersion on innocent people.   This is a start in prevention. READ MORE HERE

Steven C. Dykes is suspected of murdering his 3-month-old daughter

Florida authorities are continuing to investigate the death of a 3-month-old girl who was allegedly held by her feet and beaten by her father. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the infant’s father, 44-year-old Steven Dykes, was caring for the child while her mother was away for a job interview on February 18. When the mother returned home that evening, the infant was already asleep, according to police. The parents went to bed at 7 p.m. and were awakened by the crying infant around midnight, authorities said in a news release. READ MORE HERE

HARRISON, N.Y. – A retired officer’s suicide note indicates that the killing of his teenage daughters in their beds was a premeditated act, a suburban New York police chief said Monday. Former White Plains Officer Glen Hochman had no known health or psychiatric problems and there were no indications of alcohol or drug use. Interviews with people who knew him, including former police colleagues, found no one had an inkling that “Mr. Hoffman would have committed this heinous crime,” said Harrison police Chief Anthony Marraccini. READ MORE HERE

Glen Hochman slayings: Suicide note said girls ‘taken away’

Ex-White Plains cop shot daughters while they slept

Ex-cop killings: Couple discussed separation

Glen Hochman, retired officer, apparently killed 2 daughters