Trinity Mount Ministries

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Child Safety: Keeping Your Home Safe for Your Baby










If you have a baby in your house, you need to make sure he or she stays safe. Children don’t understand danger. And as they grow, babies become curious. Because of these things, you may need to change some things in your house to make sure he or she doesn’t get hurt.

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Path to improved health

Go into each room in your house and look for dangers to your child. Here’s a list of some items that may need your attention.

In the bedroom

Remove any cords that could get around your baby’s neck. Tie up electric cords, drape cords, or curtain cords so they are less than 6 inches long and out of your child’s reach. Mobiles and hanging crib toys should also be kept out of your baby’s reach. Remove strings on crib toys and pacifiers.
The crib is the main piece of furniture in the bedroom. Choose a crib with bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the space between the bars is too wide, your baby could slip through and strangle between the bars. Use a ruler to check the width of the space between the bars. Weave a cloth between the bars if they are too far apart.
When setting up the crib, place it away from all items with cords.
The crib should not have corner posts that stick up. Corner posts are an area of the crib that can catch on items that may be wrapped around a child’s neck or catch on clothing worn by the child. Unscrew the corner posts or saw them off.
The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the crib. An infant can suffocate if its head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the sides of the crib. No more than 2 fingers should fit between the mattress and the side of the crib. Place rolled towels between the mattress and the crib if the mattress is too small.
When your baby can push up, you should remove bumpers, pillows, and toys from the crib, including toys that are strung across the crib or a playpen. Your baby can step on these things or use them to climb out of the crib and fall.
Note: In 2011, a new U.S. crib safety standard did away with the option of having one side of the crib drop down, because this drop-side “feature” was responsible for infant deaths. If you buy a new crib, this will not be an issue, but a crib manufactured before 2012 may have the drop-side “feature” risk built in. You can defeat the risk in an older crib if you can use screws that permanently attach the drop side into the end posts (or otherwise modify the crib) in a way that the drop-side can no longer drop down.

Toys

  • Choose carefully when shopping for toys. Look for toys that are well made and appropriate for your child’s age.
  • Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points.
  • Young children pull, prod, and twist toys. Look for toys with tightly secured parts.
  • Look for safety information on the toy or label such as “Not recommended for children under 3 years of age,” or “non-toxic” on toys likely to end up in a child’s mouth. Look for “washable/hygienic materials” on stuffed toys and dolls.
  • Avoid marbles, balls, games with balls, and other toys that have parts smaller than 1 3/4 inches in diameter or smaller than 2 inches long. These products can choke young children if swallowed.
  • Keep toys meant for older children away from babies and toddlers.

In the bathroom

Since children can drown in very little water, you should always stay with your child when he or she is in the bathtub. NEVER leave your child alone or with an older child in the bathroom or tub – not even for a minute. If you have to answer the phone or door, take your child with you.
Always test the water before putting your child in the tub. Young children have tender skin and are easily burned if the water in the sink or bathtub is too hot. Set your water heater to 120°F or less. To check the temperature of the hot water from the faucet, run the water over a meat or candy thermometer for 3 minutes.
Add non-skid rubber mats or decals to the bottom of your bathtub to reduce the risk of your child slipping while in the tub. Make sure your child sits during a bath. Encourage this by giving him or her water-safe toys to play with.
Add a lock to the lid of your toilet to prevent drowning.
Keep electrical items such as hair dryers away from the water. Unplug them when you aren’t using them. They can cause an electric shock if they fall into the sink or bathtub while they’re plugged in.
Encourage your child to never run in the bathroom. Your child or the floor can be wet. Running on a wet surface may make your child fall.

In the kitchen

  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
  • Use the back burners on the stove for cooking.
  • Keep hot foods and drinks out of reach and away from the edge of a counter or table.
  • Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach or in locked or “childproof” drawers or cabinets.
  • Wind up appliance cords and keep them out of reach.
  • Put latches on cabinet drawers to keep your child from opening and closing them. This will help prevent your child from smashing his or her fingers between the drawer and cabinet when closing it.

Throughout the house

Keep medicines, vitamins, cleaning supplies, and other poisons in locked cabinets. Children can’t tell the difference between medicine and candy.
If your child swallows something he or she shouldn’t, call a poison control center right away. Keep the telephone number by your phone. The national poison control hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.
Houseplants should be placed out of your child’s reach. Some houseplants are poisonous. Call your local poison control center to find out if your plants are poisonous.
Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use gates with big spaces between the slats – children can get trapped in the openings.
Place door knob covers on doors that lead to the garage, basement, attic, or outdoors. This will help prevent your child from going where he or she shouldn’t go.
Keep children away from windows to prevent falls. Screens are made to keep bugs out – not to keep children in. Use window guards to keep children from falling. Keep chairs and other furniture away from windows so children can’t climb up. If possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom.
Anchor furniture to walls. This will prevent it from tipping over if your child climbs on it. All large furniture, such as bookcases, dressers, and TVs not mounted on the wall, should be anchored. Visit your local hardware store for safety-strap kits. If you purchase new furniture that comes with safety straps, install them right away.
Other helpful tips:
  • Use plastic inserts to cover electric outlet openings that are not being used.
  • Keep guns and other firearms out of the house. If guns are in the house, unload them, put them in a locked place, and keep the keys out of your child’s reach. Store the gun in a separate place from the bullets.
  • When your baby is placed on anything above the ground, like a changing table, always stand close with your hand on your baby.

Things to consider

  • Don’t keep toys on the upper shelf of a bookcase or on top of a tall dresser. Your child may climb the furniture to get the item and fall.
  • Don’t use a tablecloth on your table. Your child may pull on the cloth and fall. Also, items from the table then may fall onto your child.
  • Keep alcohol and cigarettes out of reach.
  • Keep plastic bags and deflated or burst balloons away from young children.
  • Lock matches and lighters in a cabinet that is higher than your shoulders.

Questions for your doctor

  • Why do babies put things in their mouths?
  • Where can I take an infant CPR class?
  • How can I keep my baby safe when outdoors?
  • How can I keep my baby safe in the car?

Citations

Adapted with permission from a booklet produced by the Injury Subcommittee of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.

Thorn - What Is Sextortion?



What is sextortion?

Sextortion takes on different forms, but at its core, it is the threat to expose sexual images in order to make a person do something. These threats come from both strangers met online and once intimate romantic partners attempting to harass, embarrass, and control victims.

LATEST INSIGHTS

In late 2017, we relaunched our sextortion survey to more closely examine the experiences of minors. This is what they told us.


 

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Megan Boswell says she knows who has Evelyn, claims she was afraid to report her missing


UPDATE: The Wilkes County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office says they have arrested two people in connection to the Amber Alert for missing 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell.


The news release says William McCloud and Angela Boswell have been arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. Authorities say the two were found inside of the BMW that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office were searching for in the Boswell investigation.
Both McCloud and Boswell are residents of Tennessee.
No other information was released by the department.
Original Article:

COUNTY, Tenn. — Evelyn Boswell has been missing since December, but she wasn’t reported missing until Tuesday.

News 5 was there when Megan Boswell, who is Evelyn's mother, walked out of a court in Bristol. When she walked outside, she initially wouldn't talk to us. Now, she is speaking with News 5 about the case.

Boswell says she didn’t contact police because she thought the person who took her daughter would disappear.

"Well the reason I didn't report it or anything was I knew the person who had her, and I didn't want them to run away with her," Boswell said. "And as soon as they thought anything was going on they just kinda vanished. So I'm just kinda worried, you know, about where they are at. What they're doing with her at this point in time."

She says that Evelyn was with a person she trusted to watch her daughter while she was at work.

But Boswell says she cannot name names.

"In a way I knew that as soon as anything went down this person was going to disappear and they have. And they have tried to find them... They won't answer phone calls. They just kinda disappeared."

Boswell tells News 5 she'd do things differently if she is given a second chance.

"Yeah I probably would have called the first day. I should have. But I just didn't want them to run with her, like they have now."

In an afternoon press conference, Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said Boswell is involved in the investigation, but he says the information she has given them isn't accurate. Cassidy said some of the things she has told them does not lead up to the information authorities have checked on.

If you have any information on where Evelyn is, contact the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.


Thursday, February 20, 2020

Lori Vallow, mother of missing Rexburg children, arrested in Hawaii



KAUAI, Hawaii — Lori Vallow, the mother of two missing Rexburg children, was arrested in Kauai Thursday afternoon.

According to the Kauai Police Department, 47-year-old Vallow has been charged with two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children.

She has also been charged with resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court.

She is currently being held in Kauai on a $5 million bond.

“First of all, we wish to thank the public for the massive outpouring of concern regarding this case,” said Kauai Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck. “We also want to thank everyone for their patience while investigators worked diligently to comprehensively gather everything they needed in order to obtain this arrest warrant.”

The arrest warrant was issued by the Madison County Prosecutor's Office.

In a news release Thursday evening, the prosecutor's office explained why Vallow was charged.

"The complaint... alleges that Vallow abandoned her two minor children, delayed law enforcement’s attempts to locate her children, and encouraged another individual to delay law enforcement’s attempts to locate her children," the statement reads.


Credit: Rexburg Police Department

Lori Vallow (left), Joshua "JJ" Vallow, and Tylee Ryan.

An official close to the investigation tells KTVB that Vallow's extradition hearing could be held on Friday or Monday on Kauai and that extraditions typically can take up to two weeks or more.

We also reached out to former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy, who says once Vallow has the extradition hearing and a judge OKs the extradition order, she can be sent back to Idaho immediately.

As of Thursday night, Idaho Gov. Brad Little's office says it has not yet received a request from Madison County to start the extradition process.

Vallow's husband, Chad Daybell, was not arrested.

Leroy said even though Vallow and Daybell are married, he has no legal authority to support her children and therefore, cannot be charged with felony desertion of a minor.

“If he has no legal relationship with these children, he has no obligation to provide support or assistance to the children," Leroy said. "Technically, it would be impossible for him to be charged with failing to support his lawful children where they are not his lawful children.”

Vallow failed to comply with a court order to produce her kids before authorities, who haven't been seen since September, by January 30.

17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old J.J. Vallow haven't been seen since September.

Police in Rexburg have said previously that they “strongly believe that Joshua and Tylee's lives are in danger.”

No other information on the missing children was released.

If found guilty, Vallow could face up to 14 years in prison for each felony desertion of a child charge.

Post by kauaipd.



Monday, February 17, 2020

Indicators of Human Trafficking - BLUE CAMPAIGN



Indicators of Human Trafficking:

Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking. You can also download or order the Blue Campaign indicator card, which is a small plastic card that lists common signs of trafficking and how to report the crime.

Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
Has a child stopped attending school?
Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.

Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to create general awareness training and materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims.
Located within the Office of Partnership and Engagement, Blue Campaign leverages partnerships with the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), law enforcement and state/local authorities to maximize national public engagement on anti-human trafficking efforts. Blue Campaign’s educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons.
To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement:
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
or text HELP or INFO to
BeFree (233733)


Search For 5-Year-Old Dulce Maria Alavez Continues 5 Months After She Disappeared From Bridgeton City Park


Author: Dan Koob

BRIDGETON, N.J. (CBS) — Sunday was another sad calendar milestone in the search for missing 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez, who disappeared from Bridgeton City Park five months ago on Sept. 16, 2019. Dulce’s family and the Bridgeton community are still holding out hope she’ll be found.

Manny Abarca and Camilla Alavez played on a brisk Sunday at Ridgeway Hunter Field in Bridgeton, but they were one person short.

“It’s taken a toll on me. It’s stressful and it’s just like, what else can I do?” family spokesperson Jackie Rodriguez said.

Dulce is still gone — five months since her disappearance from the park.

Dulce’s grandmother Norma Perez Alavez said in Spanish, translated by Rodriguez, that every day they “wake up to hear news, but they don’t get any new news,:

The memorial where Dulce’s first vigil remains for now.

“As people walked out, they placed candles and teddy bears and stuff like that,” Rodriguez said.

But now, they’re being told it’s time to move.

With the youth baseball season approaching, the family has agreed to move the memorial across the park and away from the backstop to avoid foot traffic.

“I hope her name stays alive and I will do my part to keep her name alive,” Rodriguez said.

As Dulce’s relatives played next to the stuffed animals and frozen lunchboxes, her family keeps looking — 153 days later and counting.



Camilla Alavez is Dulce’s aunt. She says she can’t wait for Dulce to come home so the two can go back to giving each other great hugs and playing.

The only real clue police have released so far is a sketch of a person of interest.




(credit: Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office)

But that was back in October.

Police say between eight and 10 detectives from four different agencies are working on Dulce’s case every day. Physical searches in the Bridgeton area continue as warranted. Investigators are using facial recognition technology is also being put to use.

Authorities say they have received several terabytes worth of pictures and videos related to the case.

Police still believe Dulce was abducted and didn’t just walk off.

*** If you have any information, please call police at 856-451-0033 or text anonymously to TIP411. ***


Trinity Mount Ministries - NCMEC - Active Missing Children Posters / Active AMBER Alerts - 02/20/2020

Missing Children Posters Below

Active AMBER Alerts
NameMissing FromIssued ForAlert Date
Andrew CaballeiroMiami, FLFLJan 29, 2020
Osiel RicoRoswell, NMNMJan 7, 2020
Evelyn BoswellSullivan County, TNTNFeb 19, 2020

Notice: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® certifies the posters on this site only if they contain the NCMEC logo and the 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678) number. All other posters are the responsibility of the agency whose logo appears on the poster.
Select an image to view the poster for one of these missing children.