Incident Report: Child Neglect Case in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Executive Summary

On Tuesday evening, law enforcement officials in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, responded to a report concerning the welfare of a minor. The intervention, prompted by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, resulted in the arrest of two individuals on charges related to child neglect. This case highlights critical issues concerning child welfare and the institutional responses required to protect vulnerable populations, directly aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Incident Details and Law Enforcement Action

At approximately 7:30 p.m., officers from the Hattiesburg Police Department (HPD) were dispatched to a residence located in the 1600 block of West Pine Street. The police action was initiated following a formal report from the Mississippi Department of Human Services regarding the condition of a 2-year-old child.

• Responding Agency: Hattiesburg Police Department
• Initiating Agency: Mississippi Department of Human Services
• Location: 1600 block of West Pine Street, Hattiesburg, MS
• Subject: Welfare of a 2-year-old child

The investigation remains ongoing, according to the HPD.

Individuals Charged and Legal Status

Two residents of Hattiesburg were taken into custody and subsequently booked into the Forrest County Jail. The charges reflect the severity of the alleged offenses against a minor.

1. Walter Armstrong, 36: Charged with felony neglect of a child. Bond was set at $30,000.
2. Madison Simmons, 22: Charged with child desertion/neglect/non-support. Bond was set at $20,000.

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This incident directly intersects with the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on health, justice, and the protection of children.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The core of this case revolves around ensuring the health and safety of a child. Child neglect is a profound violation of a child’s right to a healthy life, free from harm and with access to necessary care. The intervention by state and local authorities aims to uphold Target 3.2, which seeks to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, and to promote overall well-being.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The response to the alleged neglect demonstrates the critical function of strong, responsive institutions in upholding justice and protecting the vulnerable.

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The actions taken by the Department of Human Services and the Hattiesburg Police Department are a direct implementation of this target.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The arrest and formal charging of the individuals involved signify the application of legal frameworks designed to protect children and hold alleged perpetrators accountable.

The coordinated effort between social services and law enforcement exemplifies the institutional mechanisms necessary to create peaceful and inclusive societies that safeguard their most vulnerable members.

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

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s core subject is a criminal act of child neglect, which constitutes a form of violence. The response by the Hattiesburg Police Department and the involvement of the Mississippi Department of Human Services highlight the role of justice and state institutions in protecting vulnerable populations, specifically children. This directly relates to SDG 16’s aim to end violence and build effective, accountable institutions.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Child neglect poses a significant and direct threat to a child’s physical health, mental development, and overall well-being. The case described in the article is an intervention to protect a child from harm, which aligns with the fundamental principles of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, especially for children under 5.

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

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • This target is directly addressed. The article details a case of “felony neglect of a child” and “child desertion/neglect,” which are forms of child abuse and violence. The arrest and charging of the individuals involved is a direct action toward ending such violence against children.
2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The act of child neglect is a form of violence. The law enforcement response described in the article—investigating a report and making arrests—is a measure aimed at reducing this form of violence within the community.

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

Implied Indicators for Target 16.2

1. Number of reported cases of child abuse and neglect.
   • The article implies this indicator by mentioning that the police action was initiated “after a report from the Mississippi Department of Human Services regarding the child.” Each such report is a data point that can be used to track the prevalence of identified child abuse and neglect.
2. Number of arrests and formal charges for child neglect.
   • The article provides a specific instance of this indicator: “A pair of Hattiesburg residents were taken into custody and charged with neglecting a 2-year-old.” The specific charges, “felony neglect of a child” and “child desertion/neglect/non-support,” serve as concrete measures of the justice system’s response to these crimes.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wdam.com