Father is charged after baby
dies
The Traverse City Record Eagle reported on February 6, 2007 that a Kingsley man
faces a murder charge after he allegedly shook his 2-month-old son hard enough
that the infant died days later. The father was arraigned on a charge of
homicide-felony murder after he allegedly admitted to Grand Traverse Sheriff's
detectives that he became frustrated with his son and shook the child violently
Friday afternoon. The father faces life in prison without the chance of parole
if convicted. He was in the county jail on $500,000 cash or surety bond Monday.
The Record Eagle story may be read here.
Having once worked on a tragic shaken baby
case—one in which the baby did not die, but was left handicapped for life—I know
just how heartbreaking these cases can be. What’s the answer? I have added
numerous resources to my website for parenting classes that are available around
the State. These classes are free for parents receiving TANF benefits and are
available at a low-cost for others ($30 usually, covering cost of materials):
In Traverse City:
Munson Medical Center
Child Guidance
-- 231-947-2255
Offers: psychiatric services,
out-patient services, Doula teen parent program, professional parenting foster
care, teaching family-residential care program, home based services, 24 hour
crisis services, respite services, parenting classes and support groups.
Statewide in Michigan:
Early On |
1-800-EarlyOn
Offers: developmental
assessment and service coordination for children 0-3 years with developmental
delay or an established condition. Referrals are made to appropriate community
services.
Michigan State University
Extension | www.msue.msu.edu/grandtraverse
Offers: Parent education,
nutrition education, parents as teachers-playgroups, infant massage, car seat
safety education, 4-H clubs and youth development.
Northwest Michigan Human
Services Agency |
www.nmhsa.org
Offers: Community
services-emergency food, shelter, housing, medical, heat/utilities-financial
management services- housing programs, senior nutrition program, weatherization
program, head start & family development program.
Programs
sponsored by the Children’s Trust Fund
Child Care Connections |
www.nwmi4c.org or
www.mi4c.org (state website)
Offers: Resource and referrals
for child care, child care provider trainings, child and adult care food program
sponsor, employer assistance regarding employee benefits relating to child care,
resources for families on child care and child rearing information and employer
assistance for accessing child care as an employee benefit.
Way to Grow! |
www.tbaisd.k12.mi.us
Offers: School readiness
coordinators whom provide home visits, playgroups, parent meetings, community
events for children birth-age 5 at no cost to families. Hearing and vision
screenings, as well as developmental screenings, and referrals to community
services are also offered. Programs available at the schools, community centers,
and in homes include: home visits, playgroups, story hours, literacy activities,
parent meetings and kindergarten teacher visits before student enters
kindergarten.
Michigan
Family Resources:
Supervised Parenting Time
Supervised Parenting Time or Exchanges:
Safe Haven is a Supervised Visitation and Exchange Center located in Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Safe Haven provides a safe environment for families going through a difficult time adjusting to relationship problems. At Safe Haven, couples can exchange their children to avoid exchanges in public places and to avoid the potential for a violent
confrontation in front of the children. Safe Haven also provides supervised parenting time, which a court might order if domestic violence or abuse issues occur or if a parent has a substance abuse problem. Reunification visits can also be scheduled at Safe Haven to permit a safe and secure environment for a parent who has not had contact with his or her child for a long period of time.
There are two facilities in Northwestern Michigan:
Traverse City: 3785 Veterans Drive, Traverse City Tel. 231.946.8975 Ex. 1008
Harbor Springs: 3434 M-119, Suite F, Harbor Springs Tel. 231.347.4463
Read more about
Safe Haven here.
State-wide Supervised Parenting Time Agencies
Supervised Visitation Network
Oceana County
State-Wide Parenting Classes--Educating young parents
to avoid child abuse and neglect
Websites of Interest -- Family Law
American Bar Association Family Law Section
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Law Crawler Legal Research
Websites to help singles and single parents
Given the number of divorces, it's no surprise that many thousands of
divorce organizations exist around the US. Some are for single parents and
some just for singles. Some cater to the needs of parents without custody,
others to the political agendas of divorced moms or divorced dads. I cannot
hope to list every organization in this section linked to
additional resources. However, I hope that
the broad spectrum of national groups presented will enable you to link,
either directly or through referral, to the information, support, and
friendship that you need.
