2 Upstate children critically injured in ‘extreme’ neglect case – WYFF

Report on Severe Child Neglect Case in Mauldin, South Carolina, in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Incident Summary

On Sunday, at approximately 1:14 p.m., law enforcement officers from the Mauldin Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Cranberry Hill Circle following a report of a cardiac arrest involving a three-year-old female child. The child was discovered unresponsive and without a pulse. The subsequent investigation revealed a case of severe and prolonged neglect involving the three-year-old and her one-year-old male sibling.

2.0 Condition of Victims and Environment

Upon arrival, first responders and officers observed conditions indicative of extreme neglect, which directly contravene several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ensuring human well-being.

• Health and Nutrition: Both children were found to be extremely underweight, a critical indicator of malnutrition, which violates SDG 2: Zero Hunger. They also presented with visible wounds resulting from a lack of basic hygiene, a failure to meet the standards of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
• Living Conditions: The home environment was described as extremely unsanitary, characterized by a significant presence of uncleaned human excrement. This situation represents a severe breach of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, which includes access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

First responders successfully resuscitated the three-year-old child. Both children were transported to a medical facility and are reported to be in critical condition. The long-term prognosis for their recovery remains uncertain due to the severity of the sustained neglect.

3.0 Institutional and Legal Response

The institutional response to this case highlights the role of state mechanisms in upholding SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children.

1. Custody and Care: The Department of Social Services (DSS) has taken both children into protective custody. A third child belonging to the mother, who resided in a separate home, has also been placed in the care of DSS as a protective measure.
2. Criminal Charges: The biological parents, Ryan Addison Vassallo, 22, and Demarion Jaquez Estez Sloan, 23, have been arrested. They each face two counts of unlawful conduct towards a child.
3. Detention: Both individuals are currently being held at the Greenville County Detention Center, with bond set at $200,000 for each.

4.0 Conclusion: A Failure to Uphold Core SDG Principles

This case represents a profound failure to protect vulnerable children and ensure their fundamental rights to health, nutrition, and a safe environment as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The severe malnourishment (SDG 2), critical health issues (SDG 3), and unsanitary living conditions (SDG 6) demonstrate a complete breakdown of the basic care structure for these children. While the response by law enforcement and social services aligns with the objectives of SDG 16 to provide justice and protection through strong institutions, the incident itself underscores the critical importance of preventative social safety nets and community-level interventions to safeguard children from such extreme forms of abuse and neglect.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the severe neglect of two young children in Mauldin, South Carolina, directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on human health, well-being, and safety, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This goal is relevant because the article explicitly states that the children were “extremely underweight.” This points directly to severe malnutrition and a lack of access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, which is a core focus of SDG 2.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The health and well-being of the children are central to the article. The 3-year-old was found “unresponsive without a pulse,” and both children were hospitalized in “critical condition.” This situation highlights a failure to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being, which is the primary objective of SDG 3.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The living conditions described in the article connect to this goal. The home was “extremely unsanitary, with an overwhelming presence of uncleaned human excrement.” This indicates a complete lack of access to basic sanitation and hygiene services, a key area addressed by SDG 6.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is addressed through its focus on ending abuse, neglect, and violence against children. The case is described as one of the “most horrific cases of neglect,” and the parents face charges for “unlawful conduct towards a child.” The involvement of the Mauldin Police Department and the Department of Social Services (DSS) also relates to the “Justice and Strong Institutions” aspect of this goal, which aims to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition

   This target aims to, by 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age. The article’s description of the 1-year-old and 3-year-old children as “extremely underweight” is a direct reference to wasting, a severe form of malnutrition that this target seeks to eliminate.

2. Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5

   This target focuses on ending preventable deaths of children under 5 years of age. The critical condition of both children, especially the 3-year-old who suffered cardiac arrest, represents a life-threatening situation directly resulting from neglect. This highlights a failure to protect children from preventable health crises, which is the core of Target 3.2.

3. Target 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all

   This target calls for achieving access to adequate sanitation and hygiene. The article’s description of the home having an “overwhelming presence of uncleaned human excrement” and being “extremely unsanitary” demonstrates a complete absence of safe and hygienic living conditions for the children, making this target highly relevant.

4. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

   This target is central to the article’s theme. The “horrific” neglect, which led to severe health consequences and visible wounds, is a clear form of child abuse and violence. The legal charges of “unlawful conduct towards a child” and the removal of the children into the care of the Department of Social Services (DSS) are direct responses to the violation of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides qualitative information that implies several official SDG indicators:

• Indicator for Target 2.2:

  The description of the children as “extremely underweight” is a direct, non-quantitative observation related to Indicator 2.2.2: Prevalence of malnutrition (wasting and overweight) in children under 5 years of age. The condition of the children serves as a case-level data point for the prevalence of wasting.

• Indicator for Target 3.2:

  The fact that a 3-year-old was found without a pulse and both children are in “critical condition” relates to Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate. While the children survived initially, their condition represents a near-miss mortality event, which is a critical data point for understanding and preventing child deaths.

• Indicator for Target 6.2:

  The mention of “extremely unsanitary” conditions and “uncleaned human excrement” implies a measurement for Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services. In this specific household, the proportion would be zero, indicating a complete failure to provide a safe environment.

• Indicator for Target 16.2:

  The charges of “unlawful conduct towards a child” and the description of the situation as a “horrific case of neglect” serve as qualitative evidence for Indicator 16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month. Severe neglect is a form of violence and psychological aggression. The intervention by law enforcement and social services is also an indicator of institutional response to child maltreatment.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wyff4.com