So, it this "big brother" run amok? Or is it a good result from the current technology?
I vote for the latter.
Posted on 09/19/2002 1:21:20 PM PDT by TomB
The Mishawaka Police Department recently received a surveillance video taken from Kohl's Department Store on Grape Road in Mishawaka. The video shows a young girl, approximately four-years-old, apparently being severely beaten. Police are asking for the public's help in tracking down the woman and young girl. They say they are very worried about the girl's safety and believe she needs to get medical attention immediately.
Police say the two women caught the attention of security personnel at Kohl's. Detective Chief Mike Samp of the Mishawaka Police Department reports, "They had some items that they took into Kohl's to try to receive monies for and for whatever reason they were refused. They exchanged and they were asked to leave the store." The cameras followed them to the car and caught the incident on tape.
The assault
The girl, who police believe is just four-years-old, got into the car. Her mother looked around and then for some unknown reason the assault began. According to officials, the little girl received at least five initial blows before the she was hit and shaken several more times. At one point during the assault the woman grabbed the child by her hair. Once in her car seat, she was punched in the face more than a dozen times. The assault lasts just over 25 seconds.
Immediate concern is for child's safety
"Oh my God!" That was the response of Dr. Arnold Del Pilar of the Ironwood Medical Center upon reviewing the surveillance tape. "Punching her?I mean, [this is] blunt head trauma. This child needs to be medically evaluated," he stated. Dr. Del Pilar consulted with police and police agree with his statement. That is why police are asking for the public's help. Deputy Prosecutor of St. Joseph County, Maggie Jones stated, "Our immediate concern, as Chief Samp has stated, is to locate the child and to get the child out of that environment. It made me sick to think that that child is still with that mother and, quite frankly, if that mother is willing to do that in a parking lot, what is she doing at home?"
Family is "less than helpful"
The video camera was able to get a picture of the Texas license plate on the white SUV. Police found the car and talked to family members, but they called the family less than helpful. Chief Samp reported, "We spoke with family members. They have indicated to us that the suspect and the victim have left the state." However, police believe the woman and her daughter may still be in the area and are searching for the little girl to make sure she is okay. Police describe the family as mobile and not cooperative. They are not releasing a name at the time because they do not know if the name they have been given is correct.
The mother's description is as follows:
* Blond hair
* 5' 6" or 7"
* 135 pounds
* 24 or 25 years old
Anyone with any information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Mishawaka Police Department at 258-1684 or you may also contact them via email at Police@Mishawakacity.com.
So, it this "big brother" run amok? Or is it a good result from the current technology?
I vote for the latter.
At least the SUV didn't do the beating.
I'm guess the mom will whine about raising little Susie by herself and the fems will use this as an example of what happens when mom is stretched too far.
Get a grip.
Of course the question then becomes: In what? Her car is at home.
Something's really wrong here. Either the fambly members are lying (which makes them accessories), or the nice Mommy should be pursued for interstate flight: she clearly represents a danger to the child.
On the whole and in the long run given that government always and without fail abuse all power given to it, this big brother crap is an evil thing and sets a bad precident.
You seemed to have missed the point that this was a private security camera. The workers at the store alerted police.
Larry, I'll be completely honest with you. I came across the SBT story first and did a search to find pictures before posting so I would be sure that wouldn't happen.
Sad, isn't it? But I could see that very conversation being carried on.
Not for the little girl.
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