Kansas to pay $1M over the murder of a boy torture victim whose body was fed to pigs
Kansas to pay $1 million to family of 7-year-old starved, tortured The Topeka Capital-Journal
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Welfare: Kansas Settles Lawsuit over 7-Year-Old Boy’s Murder
Kansas has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit regarding the murder of a 7-year-old boy in 2015. The lawsuit alleged that the state’s child welfare agency failed to remove the child from an abusive home, where he was starved, tortured, and his body was fed to pigs. The settlement was approved by Governor Laura Kelly and top leaders of the Kansas Legislature, with the aim of addressing the issue and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Background
The boy, Adrian Jones, was living with his father, Michael Jones, and stepmother, Heather Jones, in Kansas City, Kansas at the time of his death. Both parents are currently serving prison sentences for his murder. Adrian was subjected to months of abuse, including being beaten and locked naked in a shower stall. The Kansas Department for Children and Families had received reports of abuse prior to his death but had not had physical contact with him for almost four years.
The Lawsuit and Settlement
The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Adrian’s mother, maternal grandmother, adult sister, and it was scheduled to go to trial in April 2025. The family members argued that the state and social workers could have intervened at any point during Adrian’s ordeal but chose not to. The Kansas agency claimed that frequent moves made it difficult to monitor the child’s situation.
The settlement was reached to avoid lengthy litigation and allow the state to focus on improving the child welfare system. The Kansas Department for Children and Families will pay half of the settlement, while the other half will come from a special state fund for lawsuit damages.
Implications and Future Actions
The settlement highlights the need for improved child welfare systems and the importance of addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. It also emphasizes the significance of Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, as Adrian suffered extreme abuse and starvation.
Following Adrian’s death, Kansas implemented “Adrian’s Law” in 2021, which created a committee to oversee child welfare and required officers and caseworkers to visually observe children who are victims of abuse or neglect. The state has also taken steps to improve doctors’ training in recognizing abuse and provide support services for troubled families.
The family hopes that through the lawsuit and the implementation of Adrian’s Law, there will be increased awareness and protection for vulnerable children. It is crucial to continue working towards achieving the SDGs to ensure the well-being and safety of all children.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- 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
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services.
- Indicator for SDG 3.2: Neonatal mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate.
- Indicator for SDG 4.2: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.
- Indicator for SDG 5.2: 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 for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 16.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. | Indicator: Neonatal mortality rate and 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 so that they are ready for primary education. | Indicator: 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: 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: 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: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
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Source: cjonline.com
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