GUILTY TX - Emma Thompson, 4, dies with STD, skull fracture, Spring, 27 June 2009

[CuriousTwo]

From the News Desk — Heartbreaking story raises tough questions for all

Published:
Friday, August 21, 2009 1:24 PM CDT

There seems to be concern that your local newspaper has not provided enough coverage regarding the tragic death of 4-year-old Emma Thompson.

It is a gut-wrenching story.

The story centered around the child’s death and the subsequent charges filed against her mother, Abigail Young, and her mother’s friend, Lucas Coe. Both have been charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The horrible treatment and subsequent death of Emma has been told many times, and there is no need to repeat it here.

Keep in mind that all of this sordid affair occurred in Montgomery County, near The Woodlands.

The connection to Brenham is this: the mother grew up here. Her grandmother still lives here.

That alone doesn’t make it a local story. We have Brenham natives who move away and do great things — and bad things — and we don’t cover it in The Banner-Press.

There are many reasons. First, Washington County is our beat. We don’t have the personnel to gather the necessary facts from areas outside our community.

What did make this a local story was when the child’s mother, a registered nurse, returned to Brenham and went to work for Trinity Medical Center for a brief period of time.

Shortly after she went to work for Trinity, we carried a story. It happened the day after charges were filed against Abigail Young and Coe.

Keep in mind that until Aug. 10, no charges were filed against anyone. Most would agree they were coming, but no one knew for sure.

This issue is further complicated by the fact that Emma’s grandmother works as executive director of Trinity Medical Center Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital.

The naysayers are quick to assume the hiring was an inside deal.

The hospital’s chief executive, John Simms, issued a statement following the arrest of Emma’s mother saying: 1) her record was clean when checked by the hospital, 2) normal hiring procedures were followed and 3) she had been in orientation for the short period of employment.

However, the newspaper, in representing the community, is seeking more information regarding the hospital’s hiring of Abigail Young during the tumultuous time of the investigation that led to charges being filed against her.

The question most asked is not whether the hiring was legal, but was it the safe and appropriate thing to do. Should someone who obviously had many gut-wrenching and heart breaking issues crossing their mind minute by minute, the most obvious is the horrible death of her daughter, be on the front line of delivering health care.

In full disclosure, this writer is a member of the hospital board, and has been off and on for the last 25 years. Also, this writer knows John Simms and Emma’s grandmother, Margie Young. And, without reservation, one can say they have given their all in making Trinity the wonderful community hospital that it is.

They are the kind of folks you want on your side when times are tough.

However, that does not entitle anyone to a free pass.

When it comes to the start-to-finish coverage of this story, The Houston Chronicle is doing an outstanding job. They are able to review the facts of Emma’s death, but the efforts of the Child Protective Service and the Montgomery County court system. What happened with Emma is not an isolated case in this state. It is a state-wide issue, and the Chronicle is seeking to make it a state-wide concern. And, rightfully so.

However, our attention is focused on our hospital, an institution that has been widely supported by the community through the years.

Residents need to know there was no undue influence regarding the hiring and of Emma’s mother as a nurse at Trinity. And, even if there was none, whether it be explained that she even should have been working in the area of nursing at that time.

http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/21/opinion/editorials/edit01.txt

 

[willow]

Please.

CYA. JMO

 

[CuriousTwo]

Hospital officials say no ‘red flags’ raised in nurse’s hiring

Published:
Saturday, August 22, 2009 9:52 AM CDT

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a response from John Simms, Trinity Medical Center’s chief executive officer, to a Friday column by Banner-Press editor/publisher Charles Moser and questions e-mailed to Simms by the newspaper.

The column and questions pertained to the hiring of Abigail Young, whose 4-year-old daughter Emma Thompson died June 27 under suspicious circumstances.

Young was hired to the hospital’s nursing staff after Emma’s death and was later charged (along with her boyfriend Lucas Ruric Coe) with felony injury to a child.

The death of Emma Thompson on June 27 was a tragic event that has affected this entire community, including those of us who work at Trinity Medical Center.

****
I know that many people in Brenham have concerns about the fact that Emma’s mother, Abigail Young, worked at Trinity Medical Center for a brief period of time before her arrest Aug. 10. I hope that this response will ease those concerns and answer your questions about this situation.

In July, Abigail Young submitted an employment application for a position as a registered nurse at Trinity. Trinity verified with the Texas Board of Nursing that Ms. Young had a current nursing license with no disciplinary action in her file.

On July 24, Trinity checked and received no negative references from Ms. Young’s previous employers, including her employer at the time, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Other pre-employment conditions required by all applicants such as a criminal history check, drug screen, back evaluation and physical examination, were successfully completed.

Ms. Young was then interviewed by several department directors for open positions within the hospital. The departmental directors consulted with the director of human resources and then offered Ms. Young an RN position at the hospital.

I have confirmed that Trinity Medical Center personnel were not pressured in any way to hire Ms. Young due to her family’s relationship with the hospital.

Ms. Young’s first day of work at the hospital was Friday, July 31. At that time, Trinity Medical Center employees were aware that there was an ongoing investigation into the death of Ms. Young’s child but did not know any details regarding that investigation.

Based on what we knew from the Houston newspapers, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department had not named any suspects at that point.

At all times during her employment at Trinity Medical Center, Ms. Young was under the direct supervision of other Trinity employees and did not provide independent patient care. For the first few days of Ms. Young’s employment, she attended new employee orientation, reviewed departmental policies and procedures, and worked in the sterile supply area.

On Monday, Aug. 10, Ms. Young was assigned to observe and assist an experienced nurse. Ms. Young was arrested at Trinity Medical Center toward the end of her shift that day. Ms. Young was immediately terminated as of Aug. 10.

Trinity Medical Center has cared for the citizens of Brenham and Washington County for more than 75 years. Our dedicated team of employees works day and night to be available to the residents of our community and we strive to provide the same level of care that we would provide to our own families.

The entire staff at Trinity Medical Center has been deeply affected by this tragic event and has extended its heartfelt sympathy to the family.

As Trinity’s CEO, it is a privilege and honor to serve with such a wonderful group of qualified health care professionals. I want to assure the Brenham community that Trinity’s board, physicians, nurses, and other qualified professionals are committed to caring for our patients, and we will continue to do our best each and every day to provide the highest possible level of care to you and your loved ones.

http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/22/news/news004.txt

 

[CuriousTwo]

LETTERS
Many people failed Emma

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 22, 2009, 9:15PM

Blame mother

Regarding “A case history of tragedy; ‘The system failed Emma' ” (Page A1, Aug. 16), all these things most certainly were failures leading up to the tragic end this innocent child came to, and I sincerely hope that these judges and prosecutors are scrutinized for their oversights and nonchalance. There was, however, a failure far greater than those listed: that of her mother to protect her and to put aside the mind-set of “I have to have a man no matter what.” Please do not publish her saying she did not know. We are all far too intelligent for that.

Absurd chain

The headline “The System Failed Emma” is misleading. The primary error was committed by the people involved in the system. State District Judge Marc Carter, the numerous prosecutors, the other judges involved and the probation officers are the responsible parties, first and foremost. Each and every one in the absurd chain of events that culminated in little Emma's gruesome death should be clearly identified and removed permanently from their positions, lest another innocent child be brutalized to death. Yes, the system also obviously needs to be improved, but let's pinpoint where the blame truly lies, and that is with those who made those pathetic decisions that killed 4-year-old Emma.

Not the system

With all due respect to Houston Victim Assistance Coordinator Andy Kahan, the system is not the primary failure in the death of Emma Thompson. The girl's mother is. I cannot for the life of me understand how the mother could find a man convicted of aggravated assault, a history of child abuse allegations and a penchant for flouting the law to be good boyfriend material. How is that kind of vacuity even possible?

Common sense

When are we going to start protecting our children? The very thought that Lucas Coe was “excused” on five occasions and not put behind bars is incredible. Certainly, the ability of Judge Marc Carter to make wise decisions needs to be reevaluated. But even more disturbing is the fact that Child Protective Services knew this baby had a sexually transmitted disease and sent her back home to live with a convicted felon. Where was the common sense? A person off the street would put the facts together — someone convicted of assault living with a 4-year-old with genital herpes? Protect the child first, then investigate. Why did they allow this innocent baby to go back into that home?

Not only the justice system but also the child- advocate system sided with the beast over the beautiful child. It isn't just unbelievable. It is insane. It is horrible. It is unforgivable.


CPS faulted

Where was the mother, Abigail Young, when Emma received 80 bruises? That didn't happen overnight. Where was she when Emma was raped and contracted a sexually transmitted disease? Where was Child Protective Services? It had the opportunity to step in and help this little darling; CPS staffers knew of the herpes. Why didn't CPS investigate further?


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6583454.html

 

[SondraK]

There are so many "coulda", "shoulda", "woulda" instances that failed to protect Emma..
My question is: What are we going to do better next time because that time is NOW.
I hope this will be a wake up call to all concerned, but my faith is limited.

 

[IWannaKnow]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
Emma case spurs new CPS guidelines
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6587297.html

First the good:

"CPS officials examined the investigator's work in Emma's case, and although they determined she did nothing wrong, the agency has issued new guidelines.

“The review identified additional steps that could be taken in future cases where the only evidence is a sexually-transmitted disease of unknown origin,” said Patrick Crimmins, CPS spokesman in Austin. The recommendations from the review will be given to all caseworkers.

If a suspected child abuse victim tests positive for a STD, all children in that victim's household will be tested as well. Any child who tests positive will have a sexual abuse exam and a more thorough “forensic” interview with child abuse specialists at a Children's Assessment Center."



Now the bad:
"Emma was originally scheduled to be examined at Children's Assessment Center but no interviewer was available. Instead, CPS and the child's pediatrician referred her to Texas Children's Hospital. Also, investigators have been told to aggressively pursue potential witnesses by interviewing neighbors in cases where a child tests positive for a STD. The CPS investigator in Emma's case did not.

Later, in a custody hearing involving Emma's sisters, a neighbor testified that she had confronted the girls' mother, Abigail Young, after seeing blood on Emma's panties the day before she died. Young told the neighbor Emma had scratched her vagina getting out of a pool."


I want to hurt that woman, reeeaaalllll bbbaaaadddddd.......

 

[joga]

just when i think i can't hate her any more...it's so mind boggling, how could she do that? i guess it doesn't make sense to us because there's just no making sense of it. the more that comes out, i do believe she will pay for her crimes, there were just too many things that happened for her to try to act like she didn't know. how i wish a journalist with some b$lls would interview her and just nail her to the wall. lay out all of the lies to CPS, her neighbors confrontations, her daughters injuries and they ask her point blank HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU SIT HERE AND SAY YOU DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING, YOU'RE A LIAR!...oh how she would squirm...

 

[kaas]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
Emma case spurs new CPS guidelines
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6587297.html

First the good:

"CPS officials examined the investigator's work in Emma's case, and although they determined she did nothing wrong, the agency has issued new guidelines.

“The review identified additional steps that could be taken in future cases where the only evidence is a sexually-transmitted disease of unknown origin,” said Patrick Crimmins, CPS spokesman in Austin. The recommendations from the review will be given to all caseworkers.

If a suspected child abuse victim tests positive for a STD, all children in that victim's household will be tested as well. Any child who tests positive will have a sexual abuse exam and a more thorough “forensic” interview with child abuse specialists at a Children's Assessment Center."
Yes, good news, though it shocks me that this type of response would not have already been in action .



Now the bad:
"Emma was originally scheduled to be examined at Children's Assessment Center but no interviewer was available. Instead, CPS and the child's pediatrician referred her to Texas Children's Hospital. Also, investigators have been told to aggressively pursue potential witnesses by interviewing neighbors in cases where a child tests positive for a STD. The CPS investigator in Emma's case did not.
No interviewer available, for a child diagnosed with a STD!!!

Later, in a custody hearing involving Emma's sisters, a neighbor testified that she had confronted the girls' mother, Abigail Young, after seeing blood on Emma's panties the day before she died. Young told the neighbor Emma had scratched her vagina getting out of a pool."
Scratched her vagina getting out of a pool. Wow, just wow.


I want to hurt that woman, reeeaaalllll bbbaaaadddddd.......

I truly do not understand this woman's thinking, as in many cases, making excuses in order to not recognize the nearly blinding signs of abuse,

 

[believe09]

locals, ya gotta go to this woman's hearings if at all possible. Some one has to take a stand for little Emma...

 

[CuriousTwo]

Updated: 11:11 AM Aug 26, 2009

4-Year-Old's Case Prompts New CPS Guidelines

The case involving the death of a Brenham nurse's 4-year-old daughter leads to new CPS guidelines.

HOUSTON (AP) - Additional steps will be taken by Child Protective Services in cases where alleged abuse victims have sexually transmitted diseases.

<snipped>

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/55022732.html

 

[Angels_Not_Forgotten]

you know...if someone scratches her vagina over and over with a rusty nail, I wouldn't shed a tear! and how did they do nothing wrong? the poor girl had an STD. and no exam was done? WTF?

 

[Boyz_Mum]

Emma, rest in peace. Praying that your passing has made a difference in child abuse cases in Texas and the nation.

 

[IWannaKnow]

"Outrage at judge is misplaced"
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/falkenberg/6588744.html

~snipped, BBM~
"Judge Marc Carter sat in his courthouse office one afternoon last week and described what it felt like to learn that Lucas Coe, one of the 1,800 probationers he oversees on any given day, had been charged in the death of 4-year-old Emma Thompson.

Emma was sexually assaulted and beaten to death in June.

“I had a knot in my stomach,” said the 50-year-old Republican judge, who has two daughters of his own. “You feel like you've been punched in the gut.”

A few days after the interview, while reading Sunday's letters to the editor berating him for ending Coe's probation months before Emma's death, the judge e-mailed: “Being held responsible for Emma's death is killing me.” "

 

[Lyn1001]

you know...if someone scratches her vagina over and over with a rusty nail, I wouldn't shed a tear! and how did they do nothing wrong? the poor girl had an STD. and no exam was done? WTF?

A physical exam was done, but no signs of sexual abuse were found.

From CuriousTwo's link:

"A pediatrician in early June contacted CPS after suspecting
blisters on the girl were genital herpes. Testing found the doctor
was correct, but the child was not removed from the home because a
physical exam found no evidence of sexual abuse."

 

[Boyz_Mum]

I hope that the judge can overcome his personal pain and help in some sort of reform of the laws that govern offenders like Coe. He is in a good position to initiate changes in a flawed system.

 

[SondraK]

If just one caseworker had gone to the home and visited with a neighbor, they would have probably discovered that there was a male living there, and if they cared could have then found out who he was. JMO

 

[Lyn1001]

If just one caseworker had gone to the home and visited with a neighbor, they would have probably discovered that there was a male living there, and if they cared could have then found out who he was. JMO

I have known caseworkers to go to homes, look through the bedrooms, look in the basement, etc.. If there are no male clothes there and no signs anyone else is living there, then there is nothing the worker can do. It turns into "he said, she said". Caseworker says "So and so says there's a man living here", mother says "No, there is no man living here, see, no evidence". At that point, what proof does the worker have other than what a neighbor said? If the kids deny it and mom denies it and there is no evidence there is no basis for removing the child. You would be amazed at the lengths people go to in order to hide who's living in the home.

 

[Paintr]

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1548045/North.Texas/New.Procedures.For.CPS.Child.Abuse.Cases

The new procedures come after CPS concluded a review into the death of Emma Thompson of Spring. The state agency had been contacted by a doctor who diagnosed Thompson with genital herpes. A further investigation turned up no evidence of abuse beyond the STD, which can be transmitted without sexual contact. And without additional evidence, CPS says the child could not legally be removed.

Patrick Crimmins: Somewhere along the line the abuse of this child was missed and she ended up dead. So the question that we ask ourselves is although it appears policy was followed, what else can we do.

 

[IWannaKnow]

bumping so we don't lose Emma!

 

[tiredblondy]

Any news??