Police: Pair charged with child neglect after man accused of firing shots during argument

Parkersburg Couple Charged with Child Neglect

Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being, Goal 4 – Quality Education, Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. A Parkersburg couple, Samuel Cole Stewart and Sierra Dawn Leasure, have been charged with child neglect creating risk of injury.
2. The charges stem from an incident on Monday where gunshots were fired during a fight at the intersection of 13th Street and Avery Street.
3. Upon arrival, officers discovered shell casings on the sidewalk and a bullet hole in a parked car.
4. The investigation led to the arrest of Samuel Cole Stewart, who allegedly fired several shots during a verbal argument between neighbors.
5. During a search of Stewart’s apartment, which he shared with Leasure and their three young children, deplorable living conditions were found.
6. Bags of trash were piled up inside the residence and on the back porch, indicating a lack of proper waste management over an extended period of time.
7. Trash was also found throughout the residence, which appeared to be infested with roaches and mice, posing health risks to the children.
8. In addition, the sleeping arrangements were deemed unsuitable for the children.
9. The couple was taken into custody and Child Protective Services was called to the scene to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
10. Samuel Cole Stewart is currently held on a $75,000 bond, while Sierra Dawn Leasure was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

Image source: WCHS

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 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article include child neglect, deplorable living conditions, and endangerment. These issues are connected to several SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty) as the living conditions indicate a lack of adequate resources, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) as the children’s well-being is compromised, SDG 4 (Quality Education) as suitable sleeping arrangements are not provided, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) as the article mentions the location of the incident in a city, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) as the individuals involved are facing charges.

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

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• 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.
• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• 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 under the identified SDGs include reducing poverty, preventing child deaths, ensuring access to quality education, providing adequate housing and basic services, and ending child abuse and violence.

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

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group.
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five 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, by sex.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
• 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 these indicators, but they can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For example, the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line can be used to measure progress towards reducing poverty (Indicator 1.2.1). The under-five mortality rate can be used to measure progress towards ending preventable child deaths (Indicator 3.2.1). The proportion of children who are developmentally on track can be used to measure progress towards ensuring access to quality education (Indicator 4.2.1). The proportion of the urban population living in inadequate housing can be used to measure progress towards providing adequate housing and basic services (Indicator 11.1.1). The number of victims of human trafficking can be used to measure progress towards ending child abuse and violence (Indicator 16.2.2).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators