First new charges:
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2010/04/kenneth_kyle_federal_charges.php
Accused Child *advertiser censored* Prof Kenneth Kyle Facing New Federal Charges
"Kenneth Kyle, the Cal State East Bay professor previously charged with rape and sodomy in Missouri and child *advertiser censored*-related charges here can toss a new bevy of charges on the pile:
Federal felony counts of child *advertiser censored* production.
The U.S. District Attorney's office in St. Louis yesterday announced Kyle and Tessa Van Vlerah of Missouri were each facing
additional federal charges for allegedly photographing themselves while engaging in sexual acts with Van Vlerah's 13-month-old daughter. The two were already facing charges in St. Louis County of statutory rape, statutory sodomy, and promoting child *advertiser censored*. Van Vlerah faces an incest charge....."
more at link
I wanted to address Prancy's question. We've discussed this before and I think that reporters are between a rock and a hard place. Of course, the child is not physically or emotionally well. That's like saying she was just mauled by a cougar but she's fine. I think the media wants to protect the child's confidentiality by not describing the sexual damage. I'm sure it will come out at trial, however. It bothers me too, though, and it feels as if the little one's pain and agony are being "glossed over".
After the "Christmas Miracle" Amber Alert in Phoenix last year (young girl abducted and raped by a stranger but miraculously rescued by an alert LEO and returned to her family), I think we all determined that it would be far better if the media adopted some sort of statement that validates the seriousness of the crime but protects the child's privacy. We had several suggestions ie:
"The child has no life threatening injuries and is receiving all necessary and appropriate medical care and therapeutic support."
"The child is currently being evaluated by specialists and is safe with her family or in a specialized foster home trained to meet her needs."
If I were the Queen Editor, I'd make that the law.