Edwardsville woman charged with making false child abuse reports | Times Leader
Edwardsville woman charged with making false child abuse reports The Times Leader
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Woman Charged with Filing False Reports of Child Abuse
HUNTINGTON TWP. — State police at Shickshinny have charged Amanda Marie Martin, a 36-year-old woman from Edwardsville, with filing bogus reports of child abuse with law enforcement authorities. Martin was arraigned on Friday by District Judge Thomas Malloy of Wilkes-Barre on 26 counts of false reports of child abuse. She was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.
Background
According to the criminal complaint, a Luzerne County detective met with a child caseworker from Luzerne County Children and Youth Services to discuss the numerous complaints made by Martin to mandated reporters since 2021. These complaints included 75 protective services or general protective service complaints.
Mandated reporters are individuals such as teachers or PIAA athletic coaches who are required to report any known or suspected abuse or neglect involving children.
Out of the 75 complaints, 26 were investigated, while the remaining ones were screened out at an intake level. Among the 26 investigated complaints, nine involved allegations of sexual and physical abuse by a man identified in the complaint.
State police stated in the complaint that Martin has a history of contacting mandatory reporters not only in Pennsylvania but also throughout the United States, making false allegations of child abuse.
All 26 complaints, with 15 submitted to the state police at Shickshinny and 11 to the Edwardsville Police Department, were found to be unfounded after separate investigations.
Martin initially agreed to be questioned by state police but ultimately declined to meet with the investigator on September 19.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Conclusion
The charges against Amanda Marie Martin highlight the importance of accurate reporting of child abuse cases. Filing false reports not only wastes valuable resources but also undermines the credibility of the child protection system. It is crucial for individuals to understand the serious consequences of making false allegations and to prioritize the well-being and safety of children.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the charges filed against a woman for filing false reports of child abuse. This issue is connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 16 that can be identified are reducing false reports of child abuse (Target 16.1), ensuring equal access to justice for all involved parties (Target 16.3), and developing effective institutions to handle such cases (Target 16.6).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of false reports of child abuse
- Number of investigations conducted
- Number of unfounded complaints
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of false reports of child abuse, the number of investigations conducted, and the number of unfounded complaints.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | Number of false reports of child abuse |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Number of investigations conducted |
| Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Number of unfounded complaints |
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Source: timesleader.com
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