Ex-military couple hit with longer prison time in 4th sentencing in child abuse case

Ex-military couple hit with longer prison time in 4th sentencing in child abuse case  Yahoo News

Ex-military couple hit with longer prison time in 4th sentencing in child abuse case

Sentencing of Former U.S. Army Major and Wife in Child Abuse Case

Image of John and Carolyn Jackson

Introduction

A former U.S. Army major and his wife have been sentenced for a fourth time in a child abuse case. The sentencing took place in Newark, New Jersey.

Sentencing Details

Carolyn Jackson was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison, while her husband, John Jackson, received a sentence of 9 years. The terms were imposed by U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton, who took over the case in April after a federal appeals court found that the previous judge had failed to consider the children’s injuries and their impact on causation.

Appeals and Reassignments

Federal prosecutors appealed each of the previous sentences, arguing that they were too lenient. The appellate panel also concluded that the previous judge would have difficulty being impartial, so the case was reassigned to Judge Wigenton.

Previous Sentencing

The last sentencing occurred in October 2021. Carolyn Jackson, who had already served a previous prison term, was sentenced to time served and an additional year of supervised release. John Jackson, who had finished a probationary term, was sentenced to 18 months of home confinement. Prosecutors argued that these sentences were insufficient.

Background of the Case

The Jacksons’ trial took place in federal court because they lived at Picatinny Arsenal, a New Jersey military facility, during the time of the abuse. The charges included child endangerment, conspiracy, and federal assault counts.

Controversy over Sentencing

Prosecutors argued that the Jacksons should be sentenced under assault guidelines, even though they were acquitted of assault charges. Defense attorneys claimed that there was no direct evidence connecting the Jacksons’ actions to the children’s injuries.

Impact on Children

The trial revealed that the foster children suffered from broken bones, severe malnutrition, and other health problems. The couple’s biological son testified that the children were subjected to cruel punishments such as eating hot pepper flakes and drinking hot sauce.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • SDG 1: No Poverty – Ensuring the well-being and safety of children is essential in eradicating poverty.
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Denying children food as punishment goes against the goal of achieving zero hunger.
  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The severe health problems suffered by the foster children highlight the importance of promoting good health and well-being.
  • SDG 4: Quality Education – Protecting children from abuse and providing them with a safe environment is crucial for their education.
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality – The case emphasizes the need to address gender-based violence and protect vulnerable children.
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Ensuring justice for victims of child abuse and strengthening institutions to prevent such cases in the future is essential.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the case of a former U.S. Army major and his wife who were accused of routinely beating their young foster children and denying them food and water as punishment. These issues are connected to several SDGs, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) as it addresses the physical and mental well-being of the children, SDG 4 (Quality Education) as it highlights the impact of abuse on the children’s education and development, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) as it involves the mistreatment of both male and female children, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) as it raises concerns about the unequal treatment of foster children, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) as it involves the legal proceedings and justice system.

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

  • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
  • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education.
  • 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.
  • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 3.2 (ending preventable deaths of children), Target 4.2 (ensuring access to quality early childhood development and education), Target 5.2 (eliminating violence against women and girls), Target 10.2 (promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities), and Target 16.2 (ending violence against children).

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

  • Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate
  • Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being
  • Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
  • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
  • Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: Indicator 3.2.1 (under-5 mortality rate), Indicator 4.2.1 (proportion of children developmentally on track), Indicator 5.2.1 (proportion of women subjected to violence), Indicator 10.2.1 (proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income), and Indicator 16.2.2 (number of victims of human trafficking).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate
SDG 4: Quality Education Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education. Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being
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. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
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. Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation

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Source: news.yahoo.com

 

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