Monday, July 16, 2007

Couple accused of starving infants while playing video games

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A couple authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.

The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.

Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.

Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency doing warehouse work, according to court records. He received a $50,000 inheritance that he spent on computer equipment and a large plasma television, authorities said.


I can't imagine any normal parent deliberately neglecting their child, but to play video games? Makes me feel like beating the living shit out of them. People with those sort of priorities have no business having children. I just hope the despicable assholes have a very miserable time while in prison.

9 comments:

Mr. Fixit said...

Well, they took time to make the babies, and time to birth the babies. How much more time should they have to spend, right?

Makes you think there should be a test to be a parent.

LBJ said...

True Mr. Fixit. . but the only reason that probably happened is he told the wife it was a "joystick".

Jay G said...

Now, you see, right there's a prime example of why we are a nation of laws.

Because in a less civilized society, these two parasites would have been flogged in the town square, then thrown in the stocks so good and decent people could pelt them with rotten fruit.

Instead, our enlightened society will (gently) slap their wrists, then offer them free "counseling" so as to get their kids back for more abuse.

Aren't we all glad we're so f**kin' civilized?

SpeakerTweaker said...

I just decided I don't want JG pissed at me...

I got counseling for them. Grief counseling. For the grief that both of them will have knowing they're both about to meet their respective makers.

I tell ya, the death penalty should get a liberal application in this case. I assure you, if one of these poor kiddo's bodies finally gave up, these two dipshits would have quietly disposed of the body.

*bad words, bad words*



tweaker

Chickie Carmarthen said...

Doesn't make me want to beat the shit out of them, makes me want to tie them up, let them half rot, let cats piss on them, not feed them, etc...the SAME thing they did to their own kids. Oh yeah, I get to sit and play video games while they watch/suffer. Bonus for me.

Anonymous said...

That is so sad! What is wrong with people???

H2o said...

Like I always say...certain people should not be allowed to breed.

Anonymous said...

O.k., are we sure this isn't an urban legend? I mean, this is pretty extreme, and almost borders on incredibility.

NotClauswitz said...

I say drop the plasma-screen on them - repeatedly, and launch the video-game disc at them from a pitching machine set to "Billy Wagner" - they can play dodge-disk in a small room full of cat feces.