FL - child forced to kneel for 10 days

[Etilema]

Didn't the child welfare authorities break HIPPA laws by relating that info on the boy?

According to:

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html

Child protective service agencies are among the entities NOT required to follow HIPAA rules.

 

[Velouria]

According to:

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html

Child protective service agencies are among the entities NOT required to follow HIPAA rules.

Lovely.

They can comment on the child's medical and psychological history, just don't ask them any questions regarding their own investigation, employees, or the history of the child's guardian(s).

 

[southernnana]

Hello all,

Discussion on HLN Dr. Drew tonight with the Cusson's Atty saying "We don't know both sides of the story . . . don't jump to conclusions".

Transcript of Dr. Drew's Program on Monday, March 12

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1203/12/ddhln.01.html


I thought his program had an interesting guest line-up:

Grady Judd, Sheriff of Polk County, FL
Judge Karen Mills-Francis. Host of "Judge Karen's Court"
Lisa Boesky, Clinical Psychologist
Kevin Humpries, Atty for Albert and Nancy Cusson

The program transcript is informative and it isn't too long.


:twocents: :twocents: I noticed it is stated somewhere in the transcript that they have not been able to find the names of the parents of the 13-year old boy? Why can't the grandfather and grandmother .... who lives next door .... just tell the sheriff? My sleuthing today provided some names to check out but they were all dead ends. ullhair: I expect to post again later tonight with concerns and questions I have.

I will try different search engines as soon as I can .... my 4 and 5-yr old grandchildren will be with me tomorrow. They love :cupcake: :cupcake:

 

[southernnana]

News Release from Sheriff's Office

http://www.polksheriff.org/NewsRoom/News Releases/Pages/03-08-2012.aspx


This link has some updates from the previous ABC link - a video of grandmother and aunt being interviewed and it shows the neighborhood

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...fter-allegedly-forcing-a-boy-to-kneel-10-daya

IOW they aren't going to say how many times they left the kid with the grandparents, but they will give out his medical/mental health info in a heartbeat. (snipped)

I do wonder how much of his "mental health problems" stem from abusive grandparents and abandonment by the parents.

(snipped)

WHY don't people like this give the children up to the authorities if they don't want to care for them? Would they be getting some sort of support payments for the children that they didn't want to part with?

(snipped)

Lovely. They can comment on the child's medical and psychological history, just don't ask them any questions regarding their own investigation, employees, or the history of the child's guardian(s).

:twocents: :twocents:

Family/Domestic Court records are not available to the general public to view on-line in Florida. Some records may be available to view if you personally go to a courthouse and request to view them. Don't know, never had a reason to request. I do know that questions we hope to obtain answers to are probably available in those records. We will again depend on family, friends, and social media to help fill in the blanks.

We need to know:

What are the parental backgrounds/relationships? Where are they?

How many months, years has this child been subjected to his abusive GF?

Why did the relatives, who were aware of the neglect and abuse of the GS,
not feel more persistent responsibility to intervene with officials on his behalf?

The parents, grandparents, relatives and officials have all failed this boy.

I do not mean to ignore the 9-year old girl's abusive treatment. The poor little girl. How did she end up with them? I have no information on her.

:anguish: :anguish:

 

[BritsKate]

Department of Children and Family spokesperson Carrie Hoeppner would not comment on how many complaints have been filed on the Cussons but did reveal more information on their grandson.

"The child in this case has been diagnosed with some profound mental health issues," she said. "But regardless, there's no excuse."

In my opinion regardless of her stating there is no excuse she is minimizing the abuse these children have suffered and deflecting responsibility onto the children. This woman is a children's advocate...and so many wonder what's wrong with society.

May these little ones find a bright, pain-free, happy future with people who will love them for themselves. And may Ms. Hoeppner's career move onto to bigger and brighter venues - preferably without overseeing children's welfare. MOO

 

[southernnana]

Updates to court records for Albert & Nancy Cusson

http://www.polkcountyclerk.net/recordsearch.aspx?id=118


ALBERT MAURICE CUSSON

CASE NUMBER FILE
532012CF002103A000XX
[259389]

03/09/2012 CF CASE OPEN CF = CRIMINAL FELONY

LAST DOCUMENT DATE = COURT DATE FOR CHARGES 03/09/2012

001 82703 2A AGG CHILD ABUSE BY AGG BATTERY 03/08/2012 Charged
002 82703 2A AGG CHILD ABUSE BY AGG BATTERY 03/08/2012 Charged


NEXT DOCKET DATE JUDGE DOCKET TYPE

04/10/2012 08:15:00 WRIGHT, KARLA F ARRAIGNMENT


NANCY TAMARA CUSSON

CASE NUMBER FILE DATE CASE TYPE STATUS
532012CF002103A000XX
[259389]

03/09/2012 CF CASE OPEN CF = CRIMINAL FELONY

LAST DOCUMENT DATE = COURT DATE FOR CHARGES 03/09/2012

001 82703 2A AGG CHILD ABUSE BY AGG BATTERY 03/08/2012 Charged
002 82703 2A AGG CHILD ABUSE BY AGG BATTERY 03/08/2012 Charged

NEXT DOCKET DATE JUDGE DOCKET TYPE

04/10/2012 08:15:00 WRIGHT, KARLA F ARRAIGNMENT

:steamed: :steamed:

 

[southernnana]

:gavel:


Activity on the court docket since 3/12/12

http://www.polkcountyclerk.net/recordsearch.aspx?id=244


Basically the activity on the court docket was, a motion for modication for pretrial release as well as other motions with a hearing before the judge on 3/21, and notice to the court of their attorney representation, who is Kevin Humphries. This is the same attorney who was a guest on HLN's Dr. Drew program representing the Cussons a couple of weeks ago.

A written plea of not guilty for both Albert Cusson and Nancy Cusson was also presented to the court at the 3/21 hearing. None of the documents presented at court hearings are available for viewing in the public records at this time.

The Cussons were released on surety bond(s) on 3/12/12 until their arraignment hearing in court on 4/10/12. Many questions are still in my mind concerning the arraignment process. :book:

More on what to expect concerning the arraignment later.

 

[LolaMoon08]

I have always been so proud to live in Florida, but I am starting to reconsider now? So many cases of abused and murdered children? Just mind boggling how much goes on here? I know it happens everywhere, but it seem to happen more here for some reason?

 

[southernnana]

:anguish: for these two abused children!! :anguish:


DCF Responds to Child Abuse Investigation

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/state_news/030912-dcf-responds-to-child-abuse-investigation


Paraphrased:

Aunt of the victim, Lisa Nock, said "I can't believe it took this long because it's been over a year and I've had the sheriffs out here in a month's time, 6-7 times."

DFC spokesperson Carrie Hoeppner confirms investigators have visited the home last year and explained to the grandparents what actions were inappropriate .... as to whether or not the DCF caseworker would be disciplined for not spotting this type of behavior in the past ...."I think that's a stretch at this point. Right now, our obligation is to review the prior history."

The child was placed into his grandparents care, because his mother didn't want him. "We have a young victim who was struggling with severe behavioral as well as mental health problems," said Hoeppner. The grandparents should have asked for more help in dealing with the situation. :steamed: :steamed: :steamed: :steamed:

More to come!