Reward Offered for Most Wanted Sex Offender from San Antonio, Jose Julio Arce Jr.

AUSTIN, TEXAS- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Jose Julio Arce Jr., 56, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list, and a cash reward up to $3,000 is now being offered for information leading to his capture. Arce is wanted for failure to register as a sex offender. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

Arce has ties to San Antonio (his last known address) and Laredo. In 1999, Arce was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl in Bexar County and sentenced to 10 years in prison. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, see his wanted bulletin at: http://www.dps.texas.gov/Texas10MostWanted/SexOffenderDetails.aspx?id=350.

Arce is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 250 pounds. He has a mole on the right side of his forehead and multiple tattoos, including on his shoulders, arms, right hand and right wrist. He has prior work history in automotive services as well as landscaping and irrigation services. Arce was previously affiliated with the Texas Mexican Mafia gang and may be known as “Laredo.” READ MORE HERE

PIERCE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A man being sought in a child rape case in Pierce Township has previous addresses in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, police said Monday. Officials are searching for Luis Gonzalez, 34. Clermont County officials said Gonzalez carried on a 4-month relationship with a child under the age of 13. The relationship began in September, officials said. Gonzalez faces one count of rape and one count of disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile. Investigators said he has previous addresses in Cincinnati, Newport and Covington. He has also live in New York and Florida, and there are open warrants for his arrest in Florida. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police. READ MORE HERE

Making the decision to call Child Protective Services because you believe a child has been abused is never an easy decision to make. You don’t want to accuse an innocent parent, but if you really believe that the child has been mistreated then you really should do something to help that child.

Here are some tips to help you deal with Child Protective Services.

What Are The Signs To Look Out For?

Firstly, you want to make sure that you have some sort of evidence to back up your suspicion. Tell-tale signs that a child is being abused or neglected include:

• You have seen constant bruising on the child
• The child cringes, hides or raises an arm defensively for no good reason
• The child becomes withdrawn
• The child experiences a loss of appetite or looks malnourished
• The child’s school work begins to suffer or they become uncontrollable in the classroom
• You are aware that the child is left at home alone or unsupervised for a long period of time
• You have evidence of drug or alcohol use by the parents (especially in front of the children)
• An unsafe or extremely dirty home environment

What Does Not Constitute Child Abuse?

The following situations are not reason enough to call Child Protective Services:

• A parent not vaccinating their child
• Home-schooling
• Custody battles
• A child playing unsupervised in their own yard
• A parent spanking a child (within reason)
• Parents yelling at children
• A one-time accident that causes injury to the child

What Happens After Child Protective Services Receive a Call?

You can make a call anonymously, but even if you give your name and contact information, this is never released to the family involved. After you make the call, Child Protective Services must follow up on it.

They will organize a social worker to visit the family and talk to the parents. This may be done on two separate occasions. After the visit, they will need to review the case and call references. They must then decide whether there is any need for further action.

If not, there will be no record of the call kept on file. If further action is needed, an investigation will be opened. In most cases, Child Protective Services do not wish to remove the children from their home. This is usually only done in extreme cases, where the child’s safety is in jeopardy.

If protecting children is something that you are very passionate about you may like to consider studying for a masters in political science online at a prestigious institution such as George Washington University. An online masters in political science will allow you to get involved with the rules and regulations that govern organizations such as Child Protective Services.

Another option that you have if you suspect a child is being abused is to simply call the police. They will then go and investigate and decide whether Child Protective Services need to be involved.

If you truly believe that a child is being abused or neglected, don’t hesitate to contact either the police or Child Protective Services.

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Best interests – If needed, you can phone Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) before filing a report. These counselors can help with the situation you’re experiencing and provide resources. Keep in mind that CPS is designed to operate with the child’s best interests in mind.

What Happens After I Call? — Child Abuse Reporting

What to do if CPS or DHS won’t help an abused child you’ve reported?

First and foremost, take photos and/or video of the abuse you have witnessed or seen. This will be valuable evidence to substantiate the abuse you are reporting. Also, the more reports that are submitted about the same abused child, the more chances something will be done quicker. Have the child’s teacher, neighbors, friends, church folks or whoever has any contact with the child, start complaining LOUDLY and OFTEN.

1) Contact LEGAL AIDE and find legal representation — your case should be tried in a court of law to petition the court for an abuse or neglect investigation, temporary guardianship, and/or full custody.

2) Contact the NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE — make a national abuse report. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD

3) Call the police or dial 911 directly – especially if the child is in immediate danger! If the child has current immediate/obvious bruising, abuse, neglect or any signs that the police or EMS workers can visibly see, I guarantee CPS will be forced to step in after they contact them. (Having police reports to coincide with CPS reports helps to bring the case immediate attention!!)

4) Contact the CPS office and ask to speak the the SUPERVISOR—report the worker behind the recommendation. You probably initially spoke to an intake worker. Next time ask to speak to the Intake Worker’s supervisor (they are who decides whether a case is accepted or not). There are two types of investigations: a GPS case/investigation- General Protection Services (and) a CPS case/investigation – Child Protection Services.

5) Contact the child’s school and speak directly to his teacher, principal, coach or school counselor. They are mandated reporters and can help to bring attention to the child’s abuse.

6) Document, document, document. Take pictures. Tell the children that if they are hit they are to call the police IMMEDIATELY and reassure them that you will never get angry at them for calling the police. Tell them that if they become that afraid, they are to run to a neighbor’s house and call the police. Police take that kind of stuff very seriously BECAUSE of the number of children who have been seriously injured or worse because of neglect and abuse that went unpunished. Record and document everything—-keep a journal with dates, times, notes. Write down in detail what the child did to be “punished” for, when and where thy were hit and with what object, etc… Remember to take pictures and/or video of any/all abuse. This is crucial!! If possible, install a “nanny or spy cam” to catch the abuse on tape.

7) If all else fails, please contact your state governor’s office and speak to the commission’s office!!! They will record an “in-take” report and investigate. Contact your state legislature/governor’s office/District Attorney and ask for assistance. Report the CPS office that is behind this unacceptable recommendation. Do not take no for an answer…be persistent. Call them, write them, go in person to their offices and tell them you need help.

NOTE: The laws state that parents are allowed to parent as they see fit provided the child isn’t being physically/emotionally/mentally abused nor neglected to the point that it puts the child’s life in danger. Physical abuse is the easiest to prove in a court of law. Emotional/Mental Abuse is about impossible to prove with a younger child, especially if there aren’t other kids in the home displaying the same behaviors and if the behaviors aren’t extreme. Spanking isn’t illegal, spanking with an implement is highly frowned upon, but if it isn’t causing severe pain, bruising or impairment, it’s not (technically) illegal….Just morally and ethically wrong.

Lastly, CPS or DHS should be utilized only to protect children in danger. It should never be used for individuals who do not agree with the way a family or other parent is raising the child. DHS is always going to try to rehabilitate the parent. Jurisdictions vary, but you need to keep reporting to DHS (CPS or whatever it is called where you live) EVERY TIME. They have to come out and investigate each report by law. Stay in close touch with the school counselor and make sure the children know that the counselor is someone to be trusted and they will NEVER be in trouble for telling the counselor the truth.

Here are more articles on steps you can take to protect your child:

UK: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/help-and-advice/for-parents-and-carers/guides-for-parents/sexual-abuse/sexual-abuse-2-pdf_wdf92436.pdf
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ARTICLE:
The Shame of Governmental Child Protection — with “Melody,” a former CPS worker

IF YOU ARE “FALSELY” ACCUSED OF ABUSE BY CPS:

http://www.govabuse.org/

http://fightcps.com/

http://www.massoutrage.com/

The Gaslighting Campaign has been created to bring international awareness to the complex issues surrounding child poverty, youth offending and abuse. The campaign goal is to create change using dramatic films based on true events. Gaslighting is one of two films to be utilized by our national affiliates for awareness and educational purposes.

THIS FILM CONTAINS SCENES THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND DISTURBING.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FILM “GASLIGHTING”

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FOR SUPPORT AND ADVICE PLEASE CONTACT

U.K. – CHILDLINE 24HR ON 0800 111

U.K. – NSPCC 24HR HELPLINE ON 0808 800 5000

U. S. – Child Helpline 1-800-4-A-CHILD

NOTE: Please leave a review when you have finished watching the film.

DURANT, Oklahoma – Police continue their search for a Durant couple after a child was discovered to be severely abused. Warrants for Jarrod Cothrum, 37, and wife Christina Cothrum were issued last week. According to reports, a toddler was brought to a Durant hospital back in October with several bruises on his face, head and back. Police said the mother told them she had recently had a miscarriage and her husband blamed the child and beat him. Authorities say she told her other children not to talk to police about the abuse or they would be taken away from her. READ MORE HERE

Advice for Child Abuse Survivors: How to Overcome Social Anxiety at College

Social anxiety can be a result of many things, and is often seen in adults or young people who suffered from abuse or bullying as a child. For students with social anxiety, getting a college degree can be a lot more difficult, as for them, simply going to class could be something that makes them feel like having a panic attack. However, along with the right treatment and support, there are many things that you can do in order to make college easier on your social anxiety. Use college to your advantage in order to overcome social anxiety and achieve your college degree.

Online Classes

Many colleges offer online classes as an alternative to classes on campus. The best thing about studying online for your degree is that you can do it on your own, from the comfort of your own home. Although it’s good to get as used to being around other people as much as possible in order to help you overcome your anxiety problems, having the option of online classes for when you’re having a particularly bad day can be comforting. Online classes are available for a range of different degree topics, for example this master of science in nursing at Bradley University.

Counseling

Many colleges will have free counselling and therapy services which students are welcome to attend. Although you may also be getting counselling from a therapist or other health professional recommended by your doctor, it’s also a great idea to take advantage of any free additional counselling services offered to you by your college. College counsellors are specifically trained to help students in situations such as yours.

Making Friends

Social anxiety can make you become your own worst enemy when it comes to making friends. However, true friends will always stick by you even when your anxiety is bad, and they won’t judge you or make fun of you for it. College is one of the best times in your life when it comes to making friends, and with so many people there, it’s no surprise that most people meet their best friends for life when they’re studying for a college degree. Don’t worry about ‘fitting in’ – simply be yourself, and you’ll attract the right friends for you.

Relaxation Therapies

When it comes to managing social anxiety at college, there are plenty of things that you can do at home. Therapies such as mindfulness meditation have been proven to be highly effective when it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress problems, and can help you to regain control. Along with that, art and music therapies are also becoming more and more popular when it comes to managing anxiety issues, for example adult coloring books, which can provide you with a great distraction when you need to relax and wind down. These can be very useful if you’re doing a stressful course, such as a masters of science in nursing.

College can be a stressful time in the life of any young person, but if you have social anxiety, it can be even more difficult. Thankfully, your college years are the best time to work on overcoming your social anxiety for good.

Sexual abuse survivors often begin the healing process during college

College-student survivors of incest and other child sexual abuse

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — The body of a Rowan County girl who was last seen in November 2011 has been located, according to Capt. John Sifford with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. In August 2016, investigators with the sheriff’s office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtained information that confirmed Erica Parsons was likely deceased. On Tuesday, Rowan County detectives and special agents with the FBI recovered skeletal human remains of a young girl who was identified as Erica. READ MORE HERE

How police found Erica Parsons

Sheriff: NC girl was likely dead long before she was reported missing

Erica Parsons Updates | Facebook

Shocking Photo of Child Wrapped in Duct Tape Circulating Online

A shocking photo has been submitted to Fugitive Watch of a little girl wrapped induct tape, with tape across her mouth. The photo appears to be from a Facebook account with the name Carlos Bautista. The post is written in Spanish saying the girl is 12 years old and is being offered for as a servant or sex slave. It also appears to say she cleans and mops and is good for other things. READ MORE HERE

Jacob Wetterling’s Remains Found 27 Years After Disappearance

An Open Letter to NY Times Public Editor Liz Spayd, from Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse and Advocates

“The voiceless have a voice. A journalist’s job is to amplify it.”

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, Inc. is honored to have our organization included in this open letter to The New York Times Public Editor, Liz Spayd, as we stand in full support of this much needed movement to create change. On behalf of the Peaceful Hearts Foundation, we are listed as one of 38 Child Sexual Abuse Survivors, Organizations and/or Advocates, urging Liz to cover the Child Victims Act of New York. We would like to personally thank Nancy Levine for all of her hard work, effort, and dedication to this important issue. Please join us, along with the 43 million plus survivors of child sexual abuse in the United States alone as we work to create change, break the silence, and bring light to this epidemic plaguing our nation.

READ THE OPEN LETTER HERE

Can we, the community of survivors of child sexual abuse and advocates, count on The Times to elevate its editorial sensitivity to covering news that affects us? Would you be willing to address questions about The Times’ absence of recent coverage of the Child Victims Act and an appearance of a conflict of interest?

• List of 38 Child Sexual Abuse Survivors, Organizations and/or Advocates Supporting This Movement

  Matthew Sandusky, Executive Director, Peaceful Hearts Foundation
  Phil Saviano, Boston survivor and activist portrayed in the movie Spotlight
  Peter Brooks, Horace Mann Action Coalition, Interschool Network Against Sexual Abuse
  Mike Pistorino, child abuse survivor and advocate
  Gary A. Greenberg, Fighting for Children PAC, Protect NY Kids
  Andrew Willis, Co-Founder and CEO, Stop Abuse Campaign
  Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, President and Co-Founder, Road to Recovery, Inc.
  John Salveson, President, Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse
  Ronald Savage, survivor and Founder, United Coalition Association
  Kristen Houser, MPA, Chief Public Affairs Officer, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
  Sandra Potter, CEO and Founder at Dreamcatchers for Abused Children
  Pamela Pine, Founder and CEO, Stop the Silence, Stop Child Sexual Abuse
  Christopher M. Anderson, Executive Director, MaleSurvivor
  Blair Corbett, Founder and Executive Director, Ark of Hope for Children
  Whitney Gabriel, Board Member, Child Molestation Research & Prevention Institute (CMRPI)
  Sara Kabakov, survivor, advocate
  Judy Mitzner, survivor, advocate
  Ana Wagner, Organizer, Brooklyn Bridge Walk for a Window
  Bill Murray, CEO and Founder, NAASCA (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)
  Jill Jones-Soderman, Executive Director, The Foundation for the Child Victims of the Family Courts
  Catherine Goodwillie, Executive Director and Board Chair, We are SAFE (Sexual Abuse Forever Ending)
  Lisa Newman, President and Founder, LIFE Keys Child Project
  Sheri Rettew, Executive Director, Hope Clinic
  Charmill D. Vega, survivor advocate and Founder, Prevent 5Kids, Inc.
  Shane McNamara, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Survivors & Mates Support Network
  Yerachmiel Lopin, Founder and Proprieter of anti-abuse website, Frum Follies
  Rabbi David Ingber, Founder and Spiritual Director, Romemu
  Rabbi Jill Zimmerman, Founder, The Jewish Mindfulness Network
  Billye Jones, LCSW, Adjunct Faculty, NYU Silver School of Social Work
  Marti Leimbach, survivor and author of Age of Consent: A Novel
  Rachel Thompson, author, advocate, entrepreneur, mother, Founder, #SexAbuseChat (Twitter)
  Elizabeth C. Sorvillo, attorney, advocate
  Michael Dolce, survivor, attorney, activist
  Michael Broussard, Theatre Artist and Survivor Advocate
  Cliff H. Mason II, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Mason Report®
  Nikki DuBose, Executive Board Member, Peaceful Hearts Foundation
  Melanie Blow, COO, Stop Abuse Campaign
  Tammy Lerner, Vice President, Foundation to Abolish Child Sexual Abuse

Survivors, supporters, and anyone who cares about eradicating child sexual abuse are encouraged to join community leaders in inquiring about The Times’ absence of coverage of the Child Victims Act of NY and appearance of a conflict of interest. Contact Public Editor Liz Spayd at public@nytimes.com or Twitter: @spaydl

Accused child rapist arrested after 23-years on the run

A former Dorchester man accused of raping two young boys in the early 90s was arrested in North Carolina Wednesday, after authorities said he spent 23 years on the run. John Joseph Hartin, 46, was taken into custody without incident at his Walkertown home, according to an FBI statement. The arrest comes after a four-year multi-state media campaign from the bureau, offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to Hartin’s capture. READ MORE HERE

URGENT! An international hunt has been launched for an Indian-origin man found guilty of repeatedly raping a six-year-old child in the UK. Pedophile Vijesh Kooriyil fled to India earlier this week, just a day before his trial was due to commence in Oxford on Tuesday. The 29-year-old business manager boarded a plane to Delhi on Monday night and was unanimously convicted of two rapes and sentenced in absentia to an extended prison term of 18 years at Oxford Crown Court on Friday. READ MORE HERE

UK launches global hunt for Indian-origin child rapist

UK launches global hunt for Indian-origin child rapist

Police seek public’s help in finding boy’s killer

TEXAS – Houston police are calling on the public to help find the man who fatally stabbed an 11-year-old boy as he walked home from school this week, and the reward for information in the case has risen to $15,000.  “The murderer is still on the loose at this point,” Houston homicide Lt. Robert Blain told reporters Friday after the surprise announcement that charges had been dropped against the initial suspect, Che Lajuan Calhoun.  “It is very important we get this suspect off our streets before he commits another senseless crime ,” Herman said in a release.  Police are seeking a black man with a tall thin, build. He was seen wearing black pants and a black shirt, with a green jacked over his shoulders. He would have been covered in blood from the brutal attack, Blain said. READ MORE HERE

Hundreds pay their respects to Josue Flores

Man falsely accused in boy’s stabbing hopes police find Josue’s killer

Boy’s death strikes fear in northside neighborhood

Wake to be held for 11-year-old murder victim, Josue Flores