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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hunt County to mark Elder Abuse Awareness Day with ceremony, resources
Hunt County will join communities across the country in recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a public ceremony and community gathering on Thursday. The event will take place at Senior Center Resources and Public Transit in Greenville, located at 4912 Lee St. and will begin at 10 a.m. The event is hosted in collaboration with Adult Protective Services, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Red River Credit Union. It is designed to raise awareness about elder abuse, highlight the resources available to older adults and encourage public involvement in prevention efforts. Now in its fourth year, the local recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Day began when Sue Ellen Stalder, APS community engagement specialist, partnered with SCRPT to bring the issue to the forefront in Hunt County. Since then, it has grown into an annual tradition – drawing local leaders, service providers and community members together each June. According to APS, elder abuse can include physical, emotional, mental and financial harm. While some forms of abuse are more visible, others may be difficult to detect or go unreported entirely. The event aims to start conversations that reduce stigma and increase vigilance around the issue. During the program, the Hunt County Commissioners Court will present a formal proclamation acknowledging the scope of elder abuse across the state and within the county. The document will include statistics at multiple levels and emphasize the importance of public education and continued support for prevention. Another part of the program will be the Survivor Recognition, which honors individuals in Hunt County who have experienced elder abuse. Though no personal stories will be shared publicly due to privacy laws, the moment of recognition offers an opportunity to acknowledge the reality and impact of abuse among older adults in the local community. The event will also feature appearances from public officials including Hunt County Judge Bobby Stovall and Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom, as well as representatives from APS. In addition to the ceremony, information tables and representatives from partner agencies will be available on-site to share details about local services and assistance programs. These resources can offer guidance for older adults who may be at risk or for community members concerned about a loved one. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at (800) 252-5400 or visit for more information.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Texas Middle School Students Got Second-Degree Burns Doing Bear Crawls on Hot Track, Parents Say: 'Just Straight Torture'
A group of boys at Woodville Middle School claim their coach said they could do a TikTok challenge that involved bear crawling on the school's track, which had a temperature of 140 degrees Several students suffered burns, with some receiving treatment at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston, Texas The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Woodville Police Department and Woodville Independent School District are investigating the incidentSeveral sixth-grade boys were injured during a pre-athletics class at Woodville Middle School in Tyler, Texas, on Monday, May 19, per 12 News Now, CBS Austin and KTRE. The boys claim that their coach said they could either take part in a TikTok challenge that involved bear crawling on the hot track or do their usual workout. The boys chose the challenge on the track with a temperature of 140 degrees, which is above the level that can cause 2nd degree burns, CBS Austin reports. Several of the students suffered burns and were treated at emergency centers and a local hospital. Other students' burns were so severe that they needed to be treated at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston, Texas. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating the incident. One parent, Cassie George, told CBS Austin that her two sons were injured and treated at Shriners. One boy had first-degree burns and the other suffered second-degree burns. "He got off the bus and we looked at it, and it was not cuts and bruises, it was straight up burns," the mother told the outlet. "We were furious about the whole situation, the whole matter. It shouldn't have been done. All these kids that suffered. It should have never happened like that. Like they said, they're supposed to keep kids safe. That is just straight torture that they did to the kids." She said her sons claimed that the coach said the boy had 'soft hands' and needed to 'toughen them up.' The boy also alleged that the coach mocked the young students if they couldn't complete the challenge. The coach previously resigned before this incident, and the last day of school was already going to be his last day as an employee. But the Woodville Independent School District (ISD) confirmed after the Monday, May 19, incident, he was instructed not to return to campus. "Due to a similar incident in 2019 at one of the Woodville schools, prior to my arrival and not related to a TikTok challenge, we put out guidance on not doing bear crawls on the track. This is not appropriate and will not be tolerated,' Lisa F. Meysembourg, Woodville ISD superintendent, told KFDM. 'Myself, along with district and campus leadership, have called all of the families. We've told them we're sorry. We regret their children had to suffer through this." 'We are equally as concerned with the reports as the community and are taking the matter seriously, as our students' well-being and safety is a top priority,' read the official Woodville ISD statement. 'The Superintendent and Campus Principal have launched a full internal review and are cooperating with local law enforcement,' the statement continued. 'While federal privacy laws (FERPA) limit what we can share, we want to be clear: the employee actions described by the media do not reflect the values or expectations of Woodville ISD.' Woodville Police Department (WPD) is investigating the incident, Chief Mike McCulley told CBS Austin. "It's a complete disregard for common sense," McCulley told the outlet KFDM. "Twelve to 14 parents have raised complaints. These are burns. We'll try to determine the average temperature of the track. We're gathering facts, medical information, taking statements.' 'We understand one coach objected to what was happening. We'd like to talk with both coaches. The information is coming in fast,' he continued, before confirming WPD will meet with District Attorney Lucas Babin. 'He would decide whether to take it to a grand jury for possible criminal charges." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Representatives for Woodville ISD, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Woodville Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Thursday. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bruceville-Eddy man charged with indecency with child over period of time
Bruceville-Eddy, Tx (FOX 44) – A 51-year-old man is being charged with indecency with a child over time, and accused of introducing her as his girlfriend. Bond has been set at a half-million dollars for Brandon Jason Shumake, who was booked into the McLennan County Jail Thursday. An arrest affidavit indicates Bruceville-Eddy Police got the case through notification by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The affidavit stated that the alleged abuse began when the victim was eight up until she was 13, and that included what was described as inappropriate touching and kissing. The affidavit also indicated sexual communications via an app called 'Discord.' The affidavit stated that police obtained search warrants for telephones and the suspects home. The affidavit stated that when the phones were examined and the Discord app opened, they found the only conversation on it was with the victim. The affidavit further stated that the victim was interviewed at the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children with the affidavit stating that the interview included information that inappropriate touching had begun when she was eight years old. The affidavit stated that the interview included statements about a phone being used to record videos when when she was in the shower. Man charged with murder of Bell County deputy sentenced to prison As the investigation continued Bruceville-Eddy Police sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Shumake from Justice of the Peace Brian Richardson. The warrant application was made April 30 and the arrest made May 1. Shumake remained in the McLennan County Jail Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hunt County foster care center shuts down after 11-year-old boy's death
The Brief A new report reveals staff at a now-closed treatment center for Texas foster children ignored a boy's cries for medical help. The boy later died in the middle of a movie theater where seven staff members were present. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is now investigating the 11-year-old's death. The report claims the foster care facility also had a history of problems, including fight clubs and sexual misconduct. GREENVILLE, Texas - A Hunt County treatment center for foster children was shut down following the death of an 11-year-old boy. A new report reveals he died in a movie theater after his cries for help were ignored by staff members. What we know According to a report released by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Tuesday, the 11-year-old boy, who is referred to as O.R. died on Nov. 27. Seven staff members from Thompson's Residential Treatment Center in Greenville had taken him and 19 other children to see a movie – Gladiator II. The report says staff members told law enforcement officers "O.R. was fine most of the day… and walked into the movie on his own accord." But when investigators reviewed video from inside the theater, they saw something completely different. "O.R. was unsteady on his feet and not able to walk on his own. O.R. looked like he was about to pass out and they were dragging him along by his arm, and then O.R. falls to the ground as they pass the ticket counter. Staff then drag O.R. down the hallway a few feet before picking him back up and continue to force him forward to get him into the movie theater," the report says. At the end of the movie, staff are seen laying him on the floor in the hall. "O.R. was clearly unresponsive, and staff called 911 at 10:06 PM," the report says. "Finally, after three minutes, Staff 1 began to attempt CPR." Interviews revealed O.R. had woken up that morning "screaming, and crying in pain, and complaining of a stomachache." The report says he informed staff that evening that he did not want to go to the movie because he continued to feel "unwell and weak." A preliminary autopsy found he had a bowel blockage. What we know Thompson's Residential Treatment Center was shut down a week after the boy's death. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that it found the Greenville foster care center posed an immediate threat to the health and safety of children. The report released on Tuesday also revealed plenty of warning signs. In 2011, the facility received 14 citations for allowing fight clubs. "Some children were choked to the point of turning colors during the fights… Staff would 'referee the fights, make bets on who they thought would win, and sometimes fight the children,'" the report says. There were also reports of sexual misconduct between children. The staff member who was the supervisor on the movie trip had complaints of physical abuse while working at Thompson's Farmersville campus. That campus closed voluntarily in 2021. In 2022, a treatment center named North Star opened with the same administrator as the Greenville campus. That center also closed in December. What we don't know It's not clear why the warning signs about the Greenville campus were seemingly ignored. What they're saying State Sen. Angela Paxton brought the concern up during a Senate finance committee hearing earlier this month. "Tragically, in my district, there was an 11-year-old boy who passed away this past November while he was under the care of a licensed residential treatment center," she said. Paxton asked what the state is doing to shut down bad facilities before a tragedy happens. HHS Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer Jordan Dixon said the answer may be fewer regulations. "This is going to sound a little counterintuitive, but we're undergoing a process of reviewing all of their regulations, rules, policy, guidance, etc. It is voluminous and I think our staff when they go in for surveys or annual inspections, we have so many rules they can only do half of the rules each year in terms of determining compliance," she said. The Source The information in this story comes from a newly released report from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and recordings from a Senate finance committee hearing earlier this month.
