EDITORIAL: Report drives home urgency of DCS reforms

The recent Indiana Department of Child Services report showing 40 children died of abuse in Indiana — five of them in Northwest Indiana — in a 12-month period should cause anyone reading it to shed a tear for those children.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Help provide resources for battered women

Susan’s husband once threw her into a wall. Another time he pounded on (and dented) the roof of their car while she locked herself in the vehicle for her safety. On countless other occasions he broke phones, computers and other objects. He emotionally and mentally abused and intimidated her …

GUEST COMMENTARY: Help teens stay safe in dating relationships

Prom season can create a lifetime of memories, but many teenagers suffer experiences that carry a lifetime of consequences.

EDITORIAL: Abuse victims need help from friends, relatives

When the Violence Against Women Act was signed into law Thursday, it was hailed as a victory for victims of domestic abuse. It does help, but it isn't the only thing victims need.

Standing up to bullying

There are measures parents and caregivers can take to help identify the signs of bullying and the anxiety it can induce so they can help their children manage through this difficult situation.

Don't let people get away with domestic violence

I disagree that the perpetrator should walk free if the victim of an abuse with visible signs of an assault decides not to press charges.

Internet Safety/Cyber Bullying class is Nov. 14 at Hobart High

HOBART | The School City of Hobart will present Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying at 6 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Hobart High School, 2211 E. 10th St.

A day in CHINS court

A pregnant woman tries to commit suicide in a homeless shelter after leaving her other two children with an acquaintance.

Ill. Senate backs bill to penalize financial abuse of elderly, disabled

The Illinois Senate gave its approval Tuesday to a measure expanding state laws as to who can be penalized for trying to take financial advantage of an elderly person, or one who suffers from a physical disability.

Child Fatality report for SFY 2010

DCS report: Seven Lake County children died of abuse-related injuries

Lake County was home to seven of Indiana's 25 children who died of abuse or neglect between 2009 and 2010, a state report released Tuesday shows.

Lowell couple accused of abusing teenager, locking him in family's dog kennel

CROWN POINT | A defense lawyer for a Lowell-area woman accused of locking her son in a dog kennel said she eventually will be exonerated.

Tina Graham

Lowell couple accused of abusing teenager, locking him in family's dog kennel

Vernon Widner, 55, and Tina Graham, 40, of the 12000 block of West 162nd Avenue near Lowell, are charged with 16 felony counts alleging criminal confinement, battery, intimidation, neglect of a dependent and strangulation of Graham's 14-year-old son.

Vernon Widner

Stories of abuse must be taken seriously

Two recent news events have a common theme: The Penn State scandal and the Lake Central student who endured ongoing bullying ending in a recent beating. In both cases, those in a position to stop the alleged abuse did nothing.

VIDEO: Family sues Lake Central High School, principal

The parents of David Haddad, a junior at Lake Central High School, and their attorney Kenneth J. Allen, spoke with the media about the lawsuit they filed against Lake Central and its principal over the physical abuse they say David received from other students.

Jada Justice, Austin Seese among local abuse, neglect victims

Eleven region children lost their lives to violence or neglect between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009, a state report released Monday shows.

Top DCS staff members to review Choate's death

Three high-level staff members from the Indiana Department of Child Services will review the circumstances surrounding 13-year-old Christian Choate's death, a DCS spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Former Clark band teacher sentenced to 30 years

HAMMOND | Former Clark Middle/High School band teacher James Ciammetti was sentenced Monday to 30 years in federal prison for taking part in a sexual relationship with an adolescent female student.