FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man and his girlfriend are behind bars for child abuse and neglect charges. The State Police arrested Eric Harris, 30, and Jessica Swift, 27, after Harris’ daughter showed up to school with a black eye. According to the criminal complaint, state police began its investigation after receiving a call from Marion County Child Protective Services.

A report from the Iowa Department of Human Services shows cases of child abuse rose by 69 percent in Muscatine County and 50 percent in Louisa County from 2009 to 2010. Counselors at the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center in Muscatine offer care for children who have been abused. They say they are concerned about the rise in reports but say it also means that people are doing a better job when it comes to reporting child abuse.

A German man whose stepdaughter bore eight of his children has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. “This is about a pitiless egoist. He viewed his family as his property,” Judge Winfried Hetger said. According to ABC News, the defendant, a 48-year-old unemployed truck driver identified only as Detlef S., sat emotionless as he was convicted of 162 counts of sexual abuse.

The upcoming death penalty trial of crime boss Vincent (Vinny Gorgeous) Basciano may bring to light the gangster’s darkest secret – he was the victim of child abuse. Basciano’s lawyers have informed federal prosecutors of plans to raise the issue as a mitigating factor against executing the former boss of the Bonanno crime family if he’s convicted of ordering a murder.

As the cases of child abuse continue to flood the headlines, many are wondering if there will ever be a world where the mistreatment no longer exists. In an effort to push others to be proactive in the fight against child abuse, some residents have chosen to speak out about the accounts they’ve witnessed, indicators individuals should be aware of and how they can take action.

The Beatrice Daily Sun reports that authorities believe John Hintz forced the child to do push-ups with closed fists on rocks while Hintz placed his foot on the child’s back. That was after learning the boy had stolen a candy bar. Authorities say when the child could no longer do push-ups, Hintz forced him to run laps until he had blisters on both feet.

CENTER, TX – Center police officers have arrested a 63 year old local man on five felony warrants relating to sexual abuse of a child. On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Center Police Department officers executed five felony warrants for Mark Gilbert Cameron, 63, Center.

Circuit Judge Elijah Smiley sentenced Thomas Everitt Brown IV on Tuesday to life in prison, and 30 years in prison, for first-degree felony murder and aggravated child abuse for beating to death his son Peyton Aaron Brown. Brown, 24, was convicted at trial March 11. The 30-year sentence will run concurrently with the life sentence.

TEXAS–A memory ride and candlelight vigil on April 3 will remember the 242 Texas children who died of child abuse and neglect in 2010. People who would like to participate with show cars and motorcycles will gather at 3:30 p.m. at Mackenzie Park, 600 E. Broadway, for a police-escorted ride to the candlelight vigil.

A Galveston County jury took three hours Monday to decide Travis James Mullis should be executed for crushing his 3-month-old son’s head beneath his foot to make him stop crying. Mullis betrayed no emotion as the verdict was announced.

Two parents and a live-in caregiver are in jail in connection with a sex-abuse case in Cochise County. Clayton and Elizabeth Cherry are charged, along with caregiver Rachel Robinson, with multiple counts related to sexual abuse. Cochise County Sheriff’s deputies say the suspects abused three children – ages 3, 6 and 10.

Wilmington, DE — A Youth Pastor from Miracle Temple Holy Church as been arrested for third-degree rape of a member of his church. He had met the girl there little over a month ago. Robert Stoner, 38, came to the attention of police when a 15-year-old was reported missing by her mother after not returning home on a school night. Police were directed by the mother to check the youth minister’s home. No one answered the door.

BROOKLYN, NY — The boyfriend of a Brooklyn foster mother was arraigned Monday in connection with the vicious beating of a 17-month-old boy. Kysheen Oliver, 19, is charged with assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

NEW YORK (CNN) — Hall of Fame NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to six years probation during a court hearing Tuesday after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct with an underage girl. Taylor, who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges in the case in January, will also have to pay a $2,000 fine, Judge William Kelly said.