Augusta County couple lose custody of adopted son in child abuse case
Augusta County couple lose custody of adopted son in child abuse case The News Leader
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report: Augusta County Couple Sentenced in Child Abuse Case
Introduction
An Augusta County couple has lost custody of their adopted child and both are now behind bars in an abuse case. The case highlights the importance of addressing child abuse and neglect, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
Background
Eugene Parker Jr., 43, was sentenced Tuesday in Augusta County Circuit Court. Cynthia M. Carroll, 45, was sentenced last month. According to Augusta County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Katie L. Jackson, the couple became foster parents to a young boy in June 2020 and adopted him months later in December of that same year.
Abuse Allegations
However, Jackson said the couple treated the boy — who was 7 years old when he began living with them — differently from their own biological children. During the boy’s stay with the couple, Jackson said Carroll would sometimes strip him naked, take him outside and hose him down with water. “This occurred even in cold weather,” said Jackson, who noted the boy was seen shivering and said his lips would sometimes turn blue. While Carroll would douse the boy with water, Jackson said Parker did nothing to intervene and said he instead would typically sit in his recliner while drinking beer.
Investigation and Arrest
Child Protective Services were given an anonymous tip concerning the abuse, which resulted in an investigation. Authorities arrested Carroll in January. Parker was charged in May, according to court records.
Sentencing and Consequences
In Augusta County Circuit Court on Tuesday, a child abuse charge against Parker was amended to misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a child. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail in a plea deal. In September, Carroll was given a year in jail on a felony child abuse conviction. Lifetime protective orders were issued, meaning the couple can no longer have any contact with the boy. They are also barred from becoming foster parents in the future.
Impact on the Child
Jackson said the guilty pleas by both defendants spared the child the potential trauma of having to testify at a trial. When asked about the child, she said he is doing “phenomenal” and is now living with a potential new adoptee. This positive outcome aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which aims to protect children from abuse and ensure their well-being.
Conclusion
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing child abuse and neglect, as well as the need to uphold the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. By working towards SDG 16 and other relevant goals, we can create a safer and more inclusive world for children.
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- Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 16.2: Number of children subjected to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence
- Indicator for Target 5.2: Number of cases of violence against women and girls reported and addressed
- Indicator for Target 10.2: Proportion of population with access to basic services, including education, healthcare, social protection, and legal identity documents
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Number of children subjected to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | Number of cases of violence against women and girls reported and addressed |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Proportion of population with access to basic services, including education, healthcare, social protection, and legal identity documents |
Based on the article, the issues highlighted are connected to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are Target 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children), Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation), and Target 10.2 (By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status).
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For Target 16.2, the indicator is the number of children subjected to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence. For Target 5.2, the indicator is the number of cases of violence against women and girls reported and addressed. For Target 10.2, the indicator is the proportion of the population with access to basic services, including education, healthcare, social protection, and legal identity documents.
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Source: newsleader.com
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