Innocence Lost is an FBI program with approximately 24 task forces and support spread throughout the country.  Federal, state, and local law enforcement al work together in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. These agencies work together to stop child prostitution right here in the United States. 

One of the main strengths of the Innocence Lost program is record keeping.  By maintaining an up-to-date computer database, law enforcement agencies can readily access over 17,000 records of both children and predators.  According to FBI Director, Robert S. Mueller, III, those working together within the program have recovered 433 children, convicted 308 criminals, and dismantled 32 criminal organizations since the program’s inception in 2003.

The NCMEC actively participates in the Innocence Lost program by running a CyberTipline and providing specialized training to law enforcement members.  The NCMEC website contains invaluable information that all parents should read that provides information on how to keep our children safe, and what to do should the unthinkable happen.  I encourage parents to review the information and become familiar with the contents, so that you will be better prepared to prevent or deal with any child-related crisis.

As reported in the New York Times, the elevator became stuck between floor 11 and floor 10.  Young Jacob tried to jump to floor 10 and lost his footing.  The elevator is maintained by the New York Housing Authority and numerous residents have lodged complaints over the past 12 months.

There almost certainly will be an investigation into the maintenance of the elevator to see if this tragedy could have been prevented.  Although, I understand, the children probably became frightened and possibly panicked, but they should have stayed were they were and waited for help.  I certainly am not blaming the children, but I am saying that something like this could serve as a reminder to review elevator safety with our own children. 

Otis Worldwide, one of the largest elevator companies in the world has published elevator safety tips that can be reviewed with family.  Although a tragedy like this is likely an anomaly, we should all be cautious of the potential hazards elevators pose.

Reuters reports that a study done by the University of Arizona College of Medicine has found that there may be a link between over-the-counter cold medications and deaths to children under the age of 2. The report, published in the August 2008 edition of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, studied unexpected infant deaths in 2006. After eliminating the deaths caused by trauma or suffocation, the research group focused on the remaining deaths. Specifically, they studied 21 cases of unexpected infant deaths that had autopsy data available. Nearly half (10 of the 21) had evidence of cold medications in their systems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been investigating the dangers of cold and cough medications administered to children under 2, and has issued several public health advisories, the most recent in January of this year, that warn of potential dangers of cold medicines, especially “serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur.”

Researchers indicate the combination of decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants can affect a child’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., is dedicated to protecting children from danger and the negligence of others, and strongly encourages all parents to read the labels of all medications carefully, as well as consult with your pediatrician before administering any type of medication to your child.

About the Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, a Tampa Bay auto accident law firm, has over 20 years experience in helping clients to recover from injuries and rebuild their lives. They specialize in personal injury cases in the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater areas.