Child

Jury Awards $46 Million in Landmark Child Abuse Case, Finds Perpetrator’s Wife Negligent

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Santa Rosa, Calif. — In a landmark case that underscores the liabilities individuals may face when failing to act against abuse, a Santa Rosa jury awarded $46 million to a minor in a child sexual abuse lawsuit. The ruling was significant for holding Terriann Kuhlmann, the wife of a convicted sex offender, responsible for her negligence in failing to prevent the abuse. The verdict, reached at the Sonoma County Superior Court, came after the jury found that Kuhlmann had not taken necessary steps to protect the child from her husband, Dana McGowan, who is currently … Read more

Federal Prosecutors Seek Jail for Ex-North Dakota Senator Pending Sentence on Child Exploitation Charges

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BISMARCK, N.D. — Government prosecutors are urging a federal judge to reconsider the release of a former North Dakota state senator, Ray Holmberg, as he awaits sentencing following his guilty plea to charges of engaging in sexual activity with minors abroad. Holmberg, who served extensively in the state legislature, admitted to traveling to Prague between 2011 and 2016 with the intent to pay for sexual acts with children. This case highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation and the measures in place to prevent abuse by individuals in positions of power. Legal documents reveal that despite … Read more

Child Injured in Bicycle-Car Collision on Richmond’s 7th Avenue

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Richmond, CA — A child was injured in a collision involving their bicycle and a vehicle at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Balboa Street in Richmond late Monday afternoon, authorities reported. The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. The San Francisco Police Department, which responded to the accident, indicated that the circumstances leading up to the crash are still under investigation, with no definitive cause immediately provided. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the young bicyclist with injuries. The child, whose age and name have not been disclosed to protect their privacy, was … Read more

Trial Date Set for Former Corrections Officer in Multi-Year Child Pornography Case

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VANDALIA, Ill. — A 65-year-old retired federal corrections officer from Vandalia is set for an October jury trial over charges involving child pornography production, according to court records. Dennis J. Pickens, who is facing four counts of Class X felony production of child pornography, made a court appearance this Tuesday as final preparations are underway more than six years after his initial arrest. The charges against Pickens date back to 2018, with his trial slated for Oct. 28. Fayette County State’s Attorney Brenda Mathis explained that the 2018 case will be concurrently tried with two … Read more